Albania’s EU ambitions alert long-term investors

Permalink: Albania’s EU ambitions alert long-term investors
by Gill Montia

Overseas property experts are tipping the Western Balkan state of Albania as a potential property hotspot, dependent upon the country’s accession to the European Union (EU).

The benefits of EU membership, which take the form of grants and loans even prior to membership, have been seen in countries such as Bulgaria and Montenegro.

Both entered periods of strong property price growth accelerated by a boom in activity by foreign investors, on entry into the EU.

The inclusion of Albania and the rest of the Western Balkans into the EU has now been set as a priority by enlargement officials and although the road to full membership may be long, property investors looking to the long-term have the opportunity to enter the market while prices are low.

Bordering Greece, Albania has a long Adriatic coastline. The country remains one of the poorest in Europe but there are signs of economic progress.