Digital Nomads in Albania: Everything You Need To Know (2025)

If you’ve been thinking about working remotely somewhere new, Albania might already be on your list. And if it isn’t yet, it probably should be!

In 2025, more and more digital nomads are choosing Albania for the laid-back lifestyle, work-personal life balance, reliable internet, and a lot of opportunities to explore while working from your laptop.

But whether this charming country might be the right fit for you or not…well, I guess that’s something that has to be discovered!

Let’s go through the real costs of living comfortably in Tirana, the visa situation, and what life here actually feels like, so you can decide for yourself if being a digital nomad in Albania makes sense for your next move.

Do Digital Nomads Need a Visa in Albania?

Here’s the deal: Albania doesn’t have a special digital nomad visa yet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay here comfortably.

• Visa-free entry → Citizens from the EU, UK, US, Canada, and many other countries can stay up to 90 days without a visa.
• Residence permits → Options exist for work, family, or self-employment. Many freelancers apply through the self-employed route if they want to stay longer.
• Unique Permit → A relatively new type of permit aimed at foreign workers and investors. Some nomads use this pathway if they want something more formal.

👉 In short: if you’re just testing the waters, the 90-day visa-free stay is easy. If you fall in love with Albania (which many do), you’ll need to look into permits to stay long-term.

If you need support with a Unique Permit to stay longer in Albania, that’s definitely something we can help with. Just text us exactly where you are planning to move from to experience life as a digital nomad in Albania.

Why Albania?

Here are some main reasons why I think Albania is worth considering for digital nomads who want to start a new, refreshing experience here.

Lower Cost of Living Compared to European Countries

Albania is more affordable than most other European countries. And I’m not just saying that. Rent, groceries, and eating out usually cost less here (despite the recently increased prices). Even compared to places like Lisbon, you’ll notice the difference.

You can live comfortably, go out regularly, and still save money.

Here’s an overview of how much money you need to live comfortably in Albania, which I covered a while ago, based on my experience as a native Albanian living in Tirana.

Great Mix of Nature, Cities, and Coast

One of the things Albanians love most about their country is that you don’t have to choose between the mountains, the sea, or the city, you can have it all. And because Albania is quite small, you can easily switch it up with a simple road trip.

For a digital nomad, that kind of flexibility is a dream.

You can literally work from anywhere, and even travelling around is much simpler than in other bigger countries, where you either have to catch a flight, or go through hours of driving.

Supportive Community of Digital Nomads

Albania has recently become a hub where like-minded individuals come together to share experiences, insights, and mutual support. Here, you will find a community of digital nomads, as well as online and local networking platforms where you can communicate and engage with them.

What You Should Actually Know Before Coming

Internet Reliability and Speed

Internet speed depends on a few key factors:

• The service provider you’ve opted for
• The specific internet package you’ve selected
• Your location, whether you’re in the heart of the city or the suburbs
• The type of connection (fiber or antenna-based)

The internet here is pretty good (in certain places, it might happen to be a bit inconsistent). If you’re in the city and have a fiber connection, you’re all good. But if you’re up in the mountains with antenna Wi-Fi… well, as probably expected, you might struggle. Ask about internet speed before booking a place.

Also, many cafes (especially in Tirana) have great Wi-Fi and don’t mind you working from there for a few hours.

Credit Card is Not Accepted Everywhere

Credit cards make a very convenient payment method, and while they’re becoming more popular recently, they’re still not accepted everywhere.

The best thing to do is convert cash to Lek, Albanian currency, and check conversion rates constantly to stay updated.

A Variety of Accommodation Options to Choose From

You’ve got options:

• Airbnb is popular and easy.
• Guesthouses are everywhere, cheaper, and often include breakfast.
• Long-term rentals

Lots of hosts now advertise good Wi-Fi, desks, and other things digital nomads need.

Coworking Spaces Are Common

Some coworking spaces in Tirana include:

Hotspot (nice vibe + viewsfree Wi-Fi, making it convenient for digital nomads to work while enjoying the local ambience. 

Coolab (modern, quiet)

DutchHub (great for networking)

TechSpace (free)

Check out coworking spaces for digital nomads in Albania

A Lot of People Speak English

Albanian is tricky, but you don’t need to be fluent. Most young people speak English. Italian and Greek are also common. And Google Translate can do the rest.

Getting Around Albania

• Buses (called “furgons”) are cheap but not always on schedule.

• In cities, you can walk almost everywhere.

• For exploring, rent a car if you can, especially in the south or mountain areas.

Best Locations for Digital Nomads in Albania

Each city has its own vibe, and it depends on what you’re looking for:

• Tirana → The capital is where you’ll find the most coworking spaces, events, and international restaurants. Great if you want a social life and to meet other expats.
• Vlora → A growing seaside hotspot where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. Fun in summer, calmer in winter, and coworking is slowly expanding.
• Saranda → Right by the Greek border, known for summer energy and more affordable off-season living. Many digital nomads base themselves here for a few months.
• Shkodra → Famous for its cycling culture and laid-back vibe near the mountains. Cheaper than the coast and slowly attracting more nomads.
• Korçë & Berat → If you like smaller towns, history, and a slower pace, these are charming options. Coworking is limited, but cafés are cosy and laptop-friendly.

Life as a Digital Nomad in Albania

Life here feels simple and welcoming. People are friendly, café culture is huge, and English is widely spoken in bigger cities.

• Safety → Albania is generally safe. Petty theft exists like anywhere, but violent crime is rare.
• Getting around → Buses are cheap but not always punctual. Many nomads rely on taxis, rideshares, or rent a car to explore.
• Social life → Tirana has great nightlife and events. Coastal towns shine in summer. Shkodra has a tight-knit, outdoorsy vibe.
• Community → Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, and coworking meetups make it easy to connect with other nomads and expats.

Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Nomad in Albania

Pros

• Affordable compared to Western European countries.
• Friendly locals, with many speaking English in cities.
• Great mix of mountains, beaches, and culture.
• Easy to travel to Italy, Greece, and the rest of Europe.

Cons

• No dedicated digital nomad visa yet.
• Bureaucracy can feel slow and confusing.
• Infrastructure (internet/power) less reliable in smaller towns.
• Smaller nomad community compared to Lisbon or Barcelona.

A Country That Feels Like Home

Albania is low-key, becoming one of the best places to live as a digital nomad. Even though the infrastructure is not the best, and there are other improvements that, in my opinion, have to be made, it’s still an affordable, beautiful, and welcoming country.

So, if you’re looking for a place that feels a little more real and a lot less expensive, Albania might just surprise you.

Come for a month… and stay for six. It happens. 🙂

FAQs About Digital Nomads in Albania

Is Albania safe for digital nomads?

Yes, it’s generally safe, with low violent crime rates.

Does Albania have a digital nomad visa?

Not yet. Most people use the 90-day visa-free stay or apply for residence permits.

How much do digital nomads spend monthly in Tirana?

Around €900–1,000/month including rent, food, coworking, and extras. Smaller towns can be cheaper.

What’s the best city in Albania for nomads?

Tirana for community and coworking, Vlora and Saranda for the seaside, Shkodra for budget and outdoors.