In short
In Albania the purchase contract must be signed before a notary and is registered with the State Cadastre Agency, ASHK. In Georgia a signature at the Public Service Hall is enough; there is no transfer tax, and registration costs from GEL 150. Individuals pay 15% on rental income in Albania and 5% on residential rent in Georgia. Both are EU candidates: Albania has been negotiating since 2022, while the European Council found in June 2024 that Georgia's process had de facto halted.
See the comparisonAlbania is closer to central Europe and the euro area. Georgia offers the simpler registration and a residence permit through property.
Residence through propertyComparison
The legal position for a foreign private buyer of a flat, as of November 2026.
The comparison describes the general legal situation, not a guarantee for individual projects. Albanian rules have changed several times in recent years.
Signed at the Public Service Hall, no notary needed
Notarial deed, entry in the cadastre
In Albania the notary checks the documents before signing. In Georgia that check is done only by a lawyer you instruct yourself.
No transfer tax, registration from GEL 150
Notary, cadastre and often a lawyer
Ask the notary for a list of all taxes and fees before signing, and agree in the contract who pays which fee.
On residential rent for individuals
On rental income under the income tax law
Tax at home may apply on top in both cases. Take advice.
Farmland only in statutory exceptions
Farmland open to foreigners only on lease
Neither country restricts foreigners buying a flat. For land, check the land-use category in the register.
Accession de facto halted since 2024
Negotiating since July 2022
Neither country has an accession date. A purchase should not rest on an expected accession.
You can compare projects in Georgia side by side.
Compare projectsThe rules
Registration, tax, land and EU status, each with the authority responsible.
Since March 2019 the State Cadastre Agency, ASHK, has kept the property register. It was formed under Cadastre Law No. 111/2018, partly from the former Immovable Property Registration Office. Property sales are concluded before a notary and then entered in the register. Before buying, check that the flat is already registered as a unit of its own.
In Georgia the National Agency of Public Registry records ownership. The contract can be signed at the Public Service Hall, and no notary is required. Standard registration takes 4 working days and costs GEL 150.
Albania taxes rental income at 15% under Income Tax Law No. 29/2023, with no deduction of costs (Art. 24). In Georgia, individuals pay 5% of gross residential rent with no deduction of costs. In both countries you declare the income to the tax authority.
Albania has been a candidate since June 2014, and accession talks began in July 2022. Georgia became a candidate in December 2023. In June 2024 the European Council noted that Georgia's accession process had de facto halted.
Verdict
The differences lie in procedure, tax on rent and residence. Current prices in Georgia are in the catalogue.
you want to reach the flat by car or a short flight, value a notarial process and accept a higher tax on rent.
you want quick, cheap registration, pay only 5% on rent and are looking for a residence permit through property from USD 150,000.
Have an independent lawyer check title, building permit and charges. Both countries have flats that are not yet registered as separate units.
Projects in Batumi
These projects are published on AcrossEstate. Each project page shows documents, registry status and payment plan.
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Go to project searchFrequently asked questions
Notary, costs, tax, land and residence.
Yes. Property sales in Albania are concluded before a notary and then registered with the State Cadastre Agency, ASHK. Georgia requires no notary; the contract can be signed at the Public Service Hall.
15% under the 2023 income tax law. In Georgia, individuals pay 5% on residential rent. Tax at home may apply on top.
Foreigners cannot acquire farmland there, but may lease it for up to 99 years. Flats and buildings they can buy. In Georgia building land is open, farmland only in statutory exceptions.
In Georgia, yes: a temporary residence permit from USD 150,000 in market value. In Albania the law on foreigners sets out the grounds for residence; ask the authorities before buying if your case qualifies.
Albania. It has been negotiating accession since July 2022. Georgia has been a candidate since December 2023, but the European Council found in June 2024 that the process had de facto halted.
Last reviewed on 2 November 2026. Sources: State Cadastre Agency of Albania (ashk.gov.al): 2019 activity report; Law No. 111/2018 on the cadastre, Albanian Investment Development Agency AIDA (aida.gov.al): acquiring property, notary and farmland, Albania: Law No. 29/2023 on income tax, Art. 15 and 24; General Directorate of Taxation (tatime.gov.al), Council of the EU (consilium.europa.eu): Albania and Georgia; European Council conclusions of 27 June 2024 (eeas.europa.eu), National Agency of Public Registry (napr.gov.ge): fees and terms, Tax Code of Georgia (matsne.gov.ge). This guide is not legal or tax advice.
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The comparison with Montenegro, land for foreigners and the residence permit.
Every published project in Batumi, with documents and payment plan.