Housing in Tirana is becoming a challenge for thousands of citizens. Apartment prices have risen rapidly, and so have monthly rents for young people and families relocating to the capital.

Data from the Institute of Statistics on inflation show that in January, rents recorded the highest inflation rate, increasing by 8.5% nationwide. Meanwhile, market prices in urban areas of Tirana have risen between 20% and 40%.

Depending on the area and the size of the apartment, rents in central neighborhoods range from €500 to €1,800 per month, while in more remote areas, apartments are rented for €300 to €850.

Experts say that prices will continue to rise if demand remains high. Families with lower incomes will be forced to seek housing in peripheral areas, while the central part of the city is expected to increasingly operate with short-term daily rentals for foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, high housing costs relative to living expenses are not reported only in Tirana, but also in cities such as Lisbon, Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, Amsterdam, and Prague.