FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions DACH clients ask us most often.
Is the land register in Albania publicly searchable?
No. Albania’s cadastre is maintained by the Agjencia Shtetërore e Kadastrës (ASHK) and — unlike the German land register — is not publicly searchable. Verifying title, encumbrances and inheritance requires targeted requests to ASHK, ideally through a local lawyer or notary. That’s exactly why an independent review before purchase matters: you cannot simply look up ownership status online yourself.
Can I buy property in Albania as a German, Austrian or Swiss citizen?
Yes. Apartments and urban property can be freely purchased by foreign nationals. A restriction applies to agricultural land, forest and pasture: foreigners cannot acquire these directly, only via an Albanian company (Sh.p.k.) or through a long-term lease of up to 99 years.
Why do I need independent due diligence when there’s already a notary?
The notary in Albania legally certifies the sale contract (notarial form is mandatory under Article 83 of the Albanian Civil Code), but does not represent your interests as buyer. The notary does not comprehensively check the full ownership history, inheritance chain, informal construction (pa leje) or outstanding permits. You — or your independent representative — need to arrange that review separately.
Are you a broker or a lawyer?
Neither. We are an independent owner’s representative: we don’t sell property, we take no commissions from sellers or developers, and we don’t provide legal advice ourselves. We represent only your interests and coordinate the necessary licensed professionals — in particular lawyers for binding legal assessments.
What taxes and costs apply when buying?
Buyers typically pay a transfer tax of 2–3% of the purchase price. Sellers are subject to a 15% capital-gains tax. Notary fees and the ASHK registration fee also apply; registration typically takes 5–15 business days. Exact, binding figures depend on the individual case and are determined by our network tax advisors.
What is a "Second Opinion" and what does it cost?
The Second Opinion is an independent, structured second opinion on a specific property or offer, before you commit contractually. It costs a publicly transparent €300–500 and is our only standardized, priced service — deliberately designed so you can access an independent review without a large upfront commitment.
How do you protect me from fraud and unpermitted construction (pa leje)?
We combine several safeguards: payment handled exclusively via the notary escrow account, systematic ASHK checks of title and encumbrances, comparison of building condition against existing permits, and the vetting criteria of our construction-firm network. No system offers one-hundred-percent protection — but an independent, structured review meaningfully reduces the risk.
How does management work if I’m not in Albania?
Through our absentee-owner management service: we handle lease management, maintenance coordination and regular reporting, so you can keep control of your property from Germany, Austria or Switzerland. On request, we also run an independent audit of your existing property manager.