Nestled in southeastern Europe, across the Adriatic Sea from Italy and bordering Greece to the south, the ancient and alluring country of Albania is one of Europe’s most rewarding destinations not only for travelers but also for investors and entrepreneurs.

Home to a stunning coastline and a mountainous interior studded with historic sights, Albania is one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. The country is attracting record amounts of foreign investment in sectors such as tourism, real estate, construction, banking and insurance.

“The government has worked diligently to create a welcoming environment for all—from tourists to major investors,” says Igli Hasani, Albania’s minister for Europe and for foreign affairs. “For many, engaging with Albania has proven to be both rewarding and inspiring.”

Located in the heart of the Balkans, Albania embarked on its democratic journey in the 1990s, embracing its role as a dynamic and forward-looking nation in the region. Since then, a long-term partnership with the US has helped Albania evolve into a free-market economy where the rule of law grows stronger by the day.

A NATO member since 2009, Albania is also well on its way to membership of the European Union. The government began accession talks in late 2024 and expects Albania to be ready for membership by as early as 2030.

“Albania belongs in the EU and the future of our children must be built in the EU,” Prime Minister Edi Rama said at the start of negotiations in October. “If there is a common national mission for all society, for all political parties, and for all active forces in society, it is to contribute to making this happen as soon as possible.”

Albania’s economy is expanding rapidly as it converges with the EU. According to the country’s central bank—the Bank of Albania (BoA)—GDP per capita has nearly tripled over the past decade. The IMF forecasts that GDP will grow by approximately 3.5% annually for the remainder of the decade, well above the European average.

High rates of economic growth, coupled with judicial reform and the country’s progress towards the EU accession, are helping Albania attract unprecedented levels of foreign investment. The government has rolled out a series of incentives and fiscal exemptions for foreign investors, including a tax rate of just 6% on investments in tourism.