What is Hipotekë (Albanian Mortgage)?

The hipotekë remains registered against the property and is binding on you as the new owner. The lender retains the right to enforce the charge against the property even though you did not take out the loan. In the worst case, the bank can initiate enforcement proceedings and the property could be sold to recover the debt. Always ensure the mortgage is cleared before or simultaneously with the transfer.

Request an official certifikatë pronësie from the State Cadastre Agency (ASK). The document will list all registered encumbrances in the encumbrance section. Do this immediately before the notarial signing as new registrations can appear at any time.

It is possible but difficult. Most Albanian banks require Albanian residency, tax registration, and local income evidence. Some regional banks with operations in both Albania and the EU have more flexible criteria. Many foreign buyers use equity from abroad rather than local financing. Consult with several banks before assuming a local mortgage is unavailable.