The cost to retire in Albania: a simple Durrës budget
Albania keeps coming up when people ask where a modest retirement income can stretch. This page walks through the cost to retire in Albania using one real example we know well: our room in Durrës, a seaside city on the Adriatic coast. No hype, just the numbers we use in the SlowRetire calculator.
Housing: $500 a month
Our Durrës home offers a room for $500 a month. It is about a 20-minute walk to the beach. That price is our current asking price and may change, so always check the latest listing on slowstay.ai before you plan around it.
Everyday living: about $500–$700 a month
On top of rent, our calculator estimates $500 to $700 a month for groceries, cafés, buses and a phone plan in Albania. This is a rough estimate, not a quote. Your own habits matter most: eating out often, travelling around the region, or needing private health care will push the number up.
Putting it together
Add the two and a simple Durrës month comes to roughly $1,000 to $1,200. If your monthly income is $1,800, that could leave about $600 to $800 as what we call your freedom number: income minus housing minus living costs. That is money for savings, travel, or surprises.
For comparison, our calculator's typical range for Lisbon is $1,100 to $1,600 for a one-bedroom, plus $800 to $1,100 for living costs. Durrës is a good fit if you want warm weather, a beach and city life without a big-city price.
Visas and paperwork
People often search for an Albania retirement visa. Rules for staying long term depend on your passport and can change, so we do not summarize them here. Please check with official Albanian government sources or a qualified advisor before you move.
See your own freedom number
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to retire in Albania?
Using our Durrës example, about $1,000 to $1,200 a month: a $500 room plus an estimated $500 to $700 for everyday living. These are estimates, not advice.
How far is the Durrës room from the beach?
It is about a 20-minute walk to the beach.
Can I retire in Albania on $1,500 a month?
With our estimates, $1,500 could leave roughly $300 to $500 after housing and living costs in Durrës. Run the calculator with your own numbers to see your result.
Where do I book the Durrës room?
Bookings are handled on slowstay.ai and follow the terms shown there.
Do you give visa advice?
No. SlowRetire is not legal or immigration advice. Please check official sources for Albanian residence rules.
More guides
Not financial advice. Estimates only.