Cost of Living in Albania 2022 | Is Albania Cheap to Live In? Monthly Budget
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- Опубліковано 18 бер 2022
- What was our cost of living in Albania in 2022? Did we find that it was a cheap country to live in full-time? In this video we will break down our living costs, sharing with you exactly what we spent living in Tirana and Saranda. Albania has become one of the most desirable locations for ex-pats and digital nomads in all of Europe, and after living in Tirana and Saranda for a month, we could see why! The kind people, amazing food, and year-round climate make Albania a top choice. But, what about the cost of living? Is it as affordable as you think? We will break down our costs in Tirana and Saranda and explain why Albania is a destination you should consider traveling to if you're a budget traveler. We will cover the following categories in our monthly budget:
Rent
Groceries
Entertainment
Transportation
Medical Insurance
Phone Data Plans
Monthly Recurring - including VPN and Netflix
Apartment:
www.booking.com/hotel/al/sara...
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This is my second year living in Tirana! Last year I broke my foot and the total cost of 2 xrays, 2 doctor visits, a cast and crutches without insurance was less than $600 USD. My parents were bummed I broke my foot but said "well you chose a good country to do it in. It would have cost 10 times that in The US." 😅 honestly really love Albania and so happy to see so many vlogs about this 'hidden gem' of Europe!
Hi Marlie! In the US it would have been at LEAST 10x that! We loved everything about Albania, the people, the food, and the low cost of living are just fantastic. It is most definitely a "hidden gem" for now anyway!! Thank you for watching our channel and stay safe!!
Cheers!!!🍻
🙌🏾
If you did that here in the US you’d be paying at least 2-3k it’s ridiculous 🥲 I herniated a disc in my neck…$4700 AFTER “insurance” paid their part what a joke
In some states like Tennessee,40% of the people are in debt,medically. Also there are no hospitals in rural areas. The USA doesn't care about people,just profits.Good ole Crony Capitalism!
Hi Marlie. I will be in Tirana in Nov this year. May I know where you went for the medical consultation?
That's crazy inexpensive! I had no idea. So fun going to these older videos, and the info is fantastic. Thanks guys!
We are binge watching all your Albania and Montenegro videos and WOW we can’t wait to go to both areas. We have started another bucket list!!
Thanks to you both, you’re awesome 🤩
Very well made and informative video on your stays in Albania. Thank you for all the information.
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for such information 😊
Great video, friends! Thanks so much for the shoutout! We're so glad we met you both in Saranda. Looking forward to catching up with you somewhere else in the world soon 🙂❤
Our pleasure! You two have a great channel! We would love to meet up again soon. Maybe Portugal? 😀
Be safe, cheers!!!🍻
Great to see that Albania is as affordable as I have been reading about for retirement life I am looking forward to then seaside life.
Thank you so much for this video!
You are so welcome! Cheers
Very informative videos ❤ Thank you and good job for making them🎉
Glad you like them! Cheers
I really like the haircut. Thanks for all the information. Love it!
Ha! Thank you very much! 😄
Haircuts for men is ridiculous cheap, just $4, but you only get that one style..
Good video thanks. We will be in Saranda in a few months.
Make sure you get over to Butrint UNESCO heritage center. It is only a 30-minute bus ride from Saranda. Nice little day trip!! We did a video on it in case you didn't see it. Have a great time and safe travels.
Cheers!!!🍻
Excellent video as usual. As a viewer of videos from different parts of the world,apart from being mesmerised of the beauty of a place,I look forward to learn the cost of living or holidaying which in turn prompts me into wanting to go visit those places if they tick all the boxes with me. Thank you again for the wonderful work you do.
Thank you, Alex. We are currently in Santorini, Greece, and will be starting our Santorini series next week. We will do a cost video next month before we leave. Thank you for watching our channel.
Cheers!!! 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie
YASSOU & KALIMERA
I love the Greek Islands. Have fun 🇬🇷
Thank you! We will do our best!!😀
Im albenian i love when others visit my contry have fun 👍✌️
Thank you ❤️
Wow. That travel insurance is expensive. I just go for the bargain one and hope I don't get ill lol. Great video guys
The cost for their insurance is a bargain compared to the US. You should really decide what health insurance is best for you depending on your age, health, where you live, etc. Anyone can get sick.
Would love you to add the link to your Airbnb in Saranda. What a view! And what a deal! We love our outdoor space too and is a must have for us and this location looked spot on spectacular!!
Yes, we did a Algarve cost of living video after our 2 month stay. We try to stay around $1000 depending on the country we stay in.
Thank you SO much for the breakout costs! I am a few years away from full-time global travel but it will still help in the planning. I have ALWAYS dreamt of going to Santorini. You may need to make multiple videos so we get everything :)
Hi Mel! We have done several "Cost of Living" videos. We hope they help our viewers plan where to go and see that it may not cost as much as you might think. We will see how many videos we can do here in Santorini, at least four, including another cost breakdown video. Thank you for watching.
Cheers!!!🍻
Santorini is nice but it has very touristic prices
When we do our "Cost of Santorini" video next month it will be a little bit different than the "Cost of Living" videos that we've done in the past. We will cover costs as a tourist but also cover costs of everyday living like a local. Stay tuned!!
Cheers!!🍻
These are very helpful and provide a realistic breakdown on just how affordable it can be to slow travel the world 🌎
Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!🍻
Would love to see a re-visit video of Albania 🇦🇱
Love love these videos keep up the great work! Brian we dreamed of these places in books in elementary school and you are living the dream
Thank you, Glen, nice to hear from you. Thank you for watching!!!
Cheers old friend!! 🍻
Hello!
I was searching for videos on Sarande and came across your this video and your channel.
Great content!
I start my journey on April 9th and have planned this since last July. I'm really looking forward to my journey and also watching more of your videos.
You have my sub. :)
You will love Sarande!! It is truly an amazing place. Safe travels and thank you so much for the sub and supporting our channel! We really do appreciate it!!!
Cheers Jerry 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie A friend recently recommended it to me. I have to be in Eastern Europe for a dinner on May 10th, and then will also stay a month in Sarande as you both did. I have to figure out where I want to go for the second half of May before spending June in Sarande. I may go to Budva since I do want to check out Montenegro. Then it is off to Southeast Asia for four months (Thailand - 1 month/Malaysia - 3 months). :) Then, it's back home for the holidays in mid-November after who knows what. :)
Nice!! We stayed in Budva and Kotor for a month each before arriving in Albania. We are in Greece now. We are headed to Portugal for May and June then who knows. We were supposed to do to Poland and Hungry before staying in Split, Croatia for a couple months. After that Mexico and then home for the holidays before we leave for southeast Asia. If all goes well 😜
Cheers!!
so how was it?
Newbie here, finding your videos helpful. Taking lots of notes. Carrie, where did you get your blue tank top? The latest video you had a white also.
Hi.... Thank you so much for watching. We love hearing feedback that others are finding the info helpful ☺️.
I get most my tank tops at Marshal's or TJ Maxx, very inexpensive and hang to dry really quick.
Cheers 🍻
Thanks so much for all of this!! What month were you here?
Thank you so much for watching!! We were there in February 2022.
Cheers!!🍻
Hey guys! Thanks for the great video. Where can I find the place that you stayed in Saranda? Have a nice day!
Thank you, Loes! Here is the link!!
Cheers!!!🍻 www.booking.com/hotel/al/saranda-amazing-sea-view-apartment.html?aid=304142
Thank you for visited my country
Thank you for having us!! We have been telling our friends back home how much we love Albania! We will be back soon!!!
Cheers!!!🍻
Another great one guys! Hoping we can catch up to you guys to have some coffee before we bail for Asia 😁😁 Keep slaying it! Go Ducks!
When are you going to Asia? WOOF...
@@BrianandCarrie It's moving target...currently July but we're pretty ready for warm water to swim in so maybe early May 🤣🤣
Nice! We will be there in January so we will be watching your videos intently!
@@BrianandCarrie Awesome!! We will definitely make this meet-up happen at some point on the globe...but not if my buddy Greg is visiting...having to deal with 2 huskies might push me over the edge 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Greg is a good dude, I just know it!!
Another great and informative video. Curious about your entrainment costs. I’m sure the video capture and production takes a lot of time, but I can’t imagine you two high energy people watch Netflix that much. Would you mind sharing what low or no cost activities you fill your time? I assuming walking, hiking, and chasing a place to have a beer. Thanks
Absolutely! The video capture and production do take a good amount of time, although we are getting better. You nailed it on how we fill our time. We like to stay in places where we can explore the beaches, mountains, and find that local pub where we can enjoy a beverage. We do have our shows on Netflix for the evening hours. Thank you so much for your continued support John, it means a lot!!
Cheers!!!
Well we don't have cheap beers 🍺😂😂 if u looking for Albania beer you will get it for sure cheap. If u go for paulander beer is cost 5 € lol I paid that too so don't be surprised 😉
We liked the cheap Albanian beer!!! 😆
Cheers!!!🍻
Hi. Thanks for sharing all this great information. We are still struggling with the health insurance bit. You mentioned sharing a link to a video which could be helpful from your fellow UA-cam friends, but I can’t seem to locate the link. Am I just not seeing it? Thanks for your time:)
Yes, I think we deleted that link by mistake, thank you for letting us know!! Here you go!!
ua-cam.com/video/DaqK6_lRaIE/v-deo.html
Like clock work another fine informational video. Thanks!!!. Like your Albanian Hair Cut, Cheers,
Thank you, CM!!
Cheers!!! 🍻🍻
Albania it’s a hidden jewel 💎
Absolutely! It will be discovered very soon!! Thank you for watching.
Cheers!!!🍻
While in Saranda I used to buy wine at the "outdoor" market on the opposite end of the promanade. It comes in one liter soda pop bottles and can sometimes be a little bitter, but for the most part it was....WINE! ;)
We saw those... Never bought them though. Good to hear they tasted decent atleast. Cheers 🍷
Hmmm looks like I have to add Albania to the list! My next country will be Poland I’m truly excited about going there and then I’ll plan my Albania trip
Very informative video ☺️
Poland is on our list. We were supposed to go last fall but ended up in Portugal which was also fantastic!! Thank you for watching and safe travels.
Cheers!!!🍻
Can you link to that other channel of your friends you mentioned that discusses nomad health insurance? Thanks.
absolutely! ua-cam.com/video/9ER8g4vf2Qk/v-deo.html
Cheers!!🍻
Wow, awesome place over looking the water for $545. I could easily stay there for a month a vegetate! 😎 Did you see any gyms or fitness center in Albania
Yes, beautiful area and we loved the view from our Airbnb. I don't recall seeing any in Sarande , but we weren't looking. I would imagine they have them, could have not been in our general walking area that we'd pass by. Cheers!!
Greetings B&C, I have have seen other YT channels that have a link to "Buy us a cup of coffee" or even "Patreon." Have you two considered doing this? You put out great content and share informational links. I also imagine Cigna would pay you an affiliate marketing commission. To your next adventure! Brad
Hi Brad. We really appreciate the support of people watching and subscribing. It is something we may consider in the future. For now, we feel we need to grow our channel. Thank you so much for the comments and support!!!
Cheers!!!🍻
Cigna doesn't do affiliations anymore, I checked. 😜
We decided to take your advice Brad and set up "Buy us a Coffee" thank you for the advice.
Cheers!!!🍻
Wonderful content. Question: What do you use for payment? Cash or Debit or Credit Card? I am trying to decide what I should use / carry when I travel through these countries. Than you.
We use all three. There are times that you want cash but for the most part, we use credit or debit. We do use Charles Schwab for our debit, it has free international ATM fees. Thank you for watching.
Cheers!!🍻
Brian is so funny!
HAHA!!! 😆😜
Cheers 🍻
So back to the Schengen zone (Greece) now that you will be completing the 90 days outside for a fresh 90/180plan. Way to go....
Yep! We have a month here and then we are going to do 2 months down in the Algarve Portugal!!
Thank you, dear Brian and Carrie! Seeing your videos was the last drop for us to start serious planning and we sat the date for September 2022, giving ourselves about 5 months. Would like to visit Valencia, Alicante and Malaga, 1 month in each. Coming from US, do we need to apply for Schengen tourist visa?
That's awesome!!! With a US passport you can stay for 90 days in Spain without a visa. You must exit the Schengen area after 90 days, that's what took us to Montenegro and Albania. Thank you so much for watching our channel! Safe travels and enjoy Spain!!!
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie What sites work the best for you finding arbnb? Did you rent flats for your 90-days stay in Spain all at once or one at the time?
We use Airbnb.com 99% of the time. We have used Bookings.com before as well. We usually book three months in advance so in Spain we did book all three at once. It really depends on where you are going and the time of year. In the wintertime, we can wait because it's the off-season and we can find what we like last minute. Hope this helps! Safe travels.
Cheers!!! 🍻
🇺🇸 citizens can stay 1 year in Albania without visa
Not anymore. Laws have changed. It was big news while we were there. The locals were not happy and US travelers were changing plans.
al.usembassy.gov/message-to-us-citizens-february-8-2022/
Hey guys, love your videos looking to retire from Australia to the Balkans and obtain residency. I've never been, so would visit first. Wondering if you prefer Albania to Montenagro since you guys have been to both countries. Property seems more affordable in Albania. Would you suggest visiting both and if so, how long would you say? I want to be near sea but not touristy. Thanks in advance and love to you both
Hi Donna, thanks so much for watching! We really enjoyed both countries and they have so many similarities. I would suggest traveling to both to get a feel for both countries to see which appeals to you. We found the pricing in Albania for eating out to be less, but otherwise, pricing was very similar. Being you are looking to find a place to settle I would allow at least a few weeks in each location to really get a feel for the town, and people and to be sure there is everything available to you that you are looking for. Cheers!
Albania and east Montenegro
Health insurance, going with a European company with full coverage, cost 64 USD pr month. So those on a tight budget, can choose a much cheaper alternative. So google around before it can be done much cheaper.
We use Cigna Global with US coverage. It is always good to shop around and get the plan that is best for you!
Long live albania n all albaniens
Does the Sarande $1257 a month include your healthcare insurance? Also, what do you estimate total monthly Sarande cost range would be for one person, assuming same rental?
Finally, you youngsters are not close to Medicare age, but an over65er would have to include basic Medicare costs in all monthly calcs, which would come to $250 to $300 per person or so. Giving up Medicare is tantamount to giving up US citizenship, so it's a fixed cost that will always be there. Thankfully, not too burdensome, and handy in an emergency.
Hi Robert. Yes, we include our health care insurance cost in the total cost per month. We would estimate you would pay between $850-$900 for one person in the off-season as we did. I would also say you could live in Albania for less than we did.
Cheers!!🍻
Thank you, these videos are so helpful! We just signed up for Cigna Global, do you have to update your address with them every time you move to another country?
Thank you so much! I would call and ask an agent about what is required. We were told that the country of origin should be were you will be spending the most time. We chose Spain and it wasn't a problem.
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie initially they told us to use the first destination country then they said we needed to update our address for each country. Was curious what your experience is. I’m asking them again to confirm, thanks.
We were told to use the country we plan on being in for the most amount of time which also happened to be our first country. There was know mention of updating each month. We should probably look into it ourselves. 🤔
Definitely I will retire in Albania soon from Belgium 🎉
Not a bad choice. Very affordable and on the Mediterranean!
Hi... I love your videos :)
We plan to go to tirana next month (September). And we are looking for an affordable place to stay. Is it ok for you to share the place you stayed in (air bnb), please?
Thank you!
You look great together:)
Enjoy love. Enjoy life.
All the best,
Joy
Thank you, Joy, and enjoy Tirana! Here is the link. Thank you for watching and safe travels.
Cheers!!!🍻 abnb.me/xcnN4vz4csb
Thank you for your reply. I haven't had the chance to watch all your videos yet.. do you recommend visiting montenegro from tirana? Or is there somewhere else you suggest that we visit instead?
Looking forward to your reply.
Best,
Joy
Hello again 😀
Hello 😊
@@BrianandCarrie, as I said , can't stop watching your videos
Well thank you. Hopefully they keep getting better!! 😆😆
Out of all the countries you have been to so far..which one has been the best bang for the buck. (Air bnb/ hotel) food, things to do, basically not getting bored...and which would u move to permanently or your still waiting to make that decision until you visit South America
Albania is near the top of the list, but we really enjoyed Romania. Vietnam is the best bang for the buck. We really haven't decided on a place to permanently move to but would stop for an extended period of time in Portugal. So far anyway, plenty of places yet to explore.
Is Albania much cheaper than Montenegro? Seems so as I just watched the cost in Montenegro video. We are coming mid July, so will avoid the coast at first.
They are comparable in price but Albania may be a bit less expensive. Thank you for watching and safe travels!
Cheers!!🍻
Can u please share the link of airbnb in which u stayed in saranda
Hi, Bilal. The Saranda apartment is through Booking.com and is in the description below towards the bottom. Thanks for watching!
Cheers!!!🍻
$7 is a lot for wine? You guys are really stretching that dollar haha. I’m in Tirana now and happy to spend $20-30 a day for nice food and feel like it’s a steal considering prices in Phoenix, AZ where I live full time.
Right?! We were buying good wine in Spain for $3 so $7 seemed high!!😆We will have serious sticker shock when we get back to the US!! Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!!🍷🍷
If I could live on a budget of less than 2K and travel like you guys...I'd do that. I have just over a year and then we decide where we want to move...travel.
Hey James! We are really looking forward to our next stop in May and June. The Algarve region in Portugal is someplace we think we could stay for an extended period of time. Stay tuned for that!! As always, thank you for the comments!!!
Cheers!!!🍻
@@BrianandCarrie Portugal is a great choice.
Looks like Saranda becomes much expensive during summer. When did you visit Saranda, I'm asking because your prices much lower than now (June 2024).
We were there in February 2202. Costs are going up worldwide!!!
Honestly, your video should be titled ' what our month vacation cost in Albania'
Thanks for watching, Craig!
Cheers!
I’m curious about the restrictions on how much time you can spend as a tourist in the Schengen zone. My understanding was it is 3 months out of every 6 months, and since you’ve spent 3 months in Spain, how does it work to go to Greece after 5 weeks in Albania?
Yes, you are correct. We stayed in Kotor, and Budva Montenegro a month each before moving on to Albania. We really enjoyed Montenegro as well.
Cheers!!!🍻
I would just add that according to the US Embassy Americans can stay in Albania for a year without a visa but have to leave for 90 days and then another year can restart. Also Ireland is not part of the Schengen zone and doesn’t seem to have the 90 out of 180. From what I can tell Ireland allows for what appears to be repeated entries every 90 days with a break in between. Of course UK has something similar but for 6 months. Finally Portugal offers a 90 day extension to the 90 out of 180 but you have to say in Portugal for the extra 90 days. All the above should verified.
Great information John. When we were in Albania the locals were talking about the US visa change that went into effect January 1st and how disappointed they are. We are not aware of any new, more recent changes but if so, that would be awesome!. Ireland and UK are not in the Schengen however they are both expensive!! This is unfortunate because they are bucket list destinations for us. As far as Portugal, we have heard that there is a way around the 90 days. We will be there in May and Jun and looking for somewhere outside the Schengen area and within our budget. We will definitely look into what are options are!! Thank you!!
Cheers!!!🍻
Us citizens can stay for 1 year in albania the rest is 6 months
Albanian is not in Schengen zone.
Just be aware, rental prices do change a lot throughout the year.
I think it's possible to find even cheaper rent, but you need a local connection otherwise you get the tourist price.
How is the mcdonalds in albania?
We have no idea! 😀
I'm in durres now.
How do you like it? We will be back eventually and will probably stay in Saranda but we are open to seeing more of Albania. Are you going to Tirana?
@@BrianandCarrie we have been to Tirana for five days. Possibly going to gjirokastër today just trying to find out about buses from durres.
Very nice! Enjoy the rest of your trip and safe travels.
Cheers!!!🍻
🇦🇱🇦🇱
Cheers Roger!! 🍻
Once you use your credit card 💳 in Albania 🇦🇱, you’ll be charged like you are living in western countries. If you are on budget and you want to save money, use local restaurants and dwell in among the native albanian people assuming you are learning their language 😅😢
That's Sarande behind u in the thumbnail yeah? I always tell others to be careful there, careful not to meet the wrong people hustling foreigners for money, property rentals etc.. careful of the 'friendly local fisherman...'
Yes, that is Sarande. We had no problems at all and loved our time there. I suppose you can get hustled anywhere if you are not aware. We used Bookings.com which is very reputable and had a great place for a good price. We did a few other videos on Sarande and Albania in general and hope to get back someday.
Cheers!!!🍻
Sarande is worse. Do take care to avoid the 'friendly local fisherman', whoever sees this. Booking com isn't really the best for a long term rental..
Again, we found Sarande to be very friendly. We are truly sorry you had a bad experience with the local fisherman. Airbnb and Booking.com have both served us well on our travels. If you have used Booking.com and know of better more affordable options please let us and our viewers know. Thank you for contributing.
Cheers!!!🍻
Why does your man look like the average albanian dad😭
Thats funny!!! 😂
The cancer doctors will like your hair cut, you will get ear cancer. My stupid father suffered really bad from that, by having a stupid hair cut.
At my age, I'm happy that I can still get a regular haircut. I love my stupid hair!! 😂 Thank you for your concern!
Cheers!!🍻
we love tales from the cheap rich
Cheap maybe, not so rich. 😜
Cheers!!🍻