British expats are flocking to a seldom-visited Mediterranean country dubbed the ‘Maldives of Europe’ with living costs a fraction of the UK and 300 sunny days a year.

Bargain-loving Brits say they are choosing to live in Albania, a formerly communist state overlooking the Adriatic and Ionian seas, describing it as ‘prettier than Greece and much cheaper’.

Despite allegations from Albanian migrants that the country is unsafe when trying to claim asylum in the UK after crossing the English Channel, MailOnline has discovered many Brits are now heading the other way.

The country has been growing in popularity as a holiday destination, with over 100,000 Brits now travelling there each year. But more and more are deciding to settle.

As one of the cheapest countries in Europe, Albania particularly appeals to retirees because of its significantly lower cost of living, peaceful atmosphere, stunning scenery and friendly locals who welcome overseas visitors rather than opposing them as increasingly happens in popular parts of Western Europe. 

Younger entrepreneurs too say good weather, high-speed internet, cheap rents and more personal freedom makes it the perfect place to work remotely.

Among those who have chosen a new life in Albania is Chris Knight who has documented his move after he bought a dream home with his partner Suzy in January 2023 after being urged to take the plunge by other expats.

Sharing pictures of his luxurious new home in the Riviera resort of Sarandë, he said: ‘Watching the sunset from our new home in Sarandë after finding a hidden beach as our back garden I do indeed feel very lucky and very blessed.

Among those who have chosen a new life in Albania is Chris Knight (pictured) who has documented his move to the country online

Chris moved to Albania after buying a dream home with his partner Suzy (pictured) in January 2023

Chris moved to Albania after buying a dream home with his partner Suzy (pictured) in January 2023

Chris and Suzy (pictured) were urged to take the plunge by other expats

Chris and Suzy (pictured) were urged to take the plunge by other expats 

‘Being English it is very hard to get how friendly and helpful the Albanian people are. We are going to love living here.’

Since making the move two years ago, Chris has got involved in the local expat community including volunteering with a local animal rescue charity.

He also regularly shares pictures of stunning sunsets and comments praising the honesty and friendliness of locals as well as ridiculously low prices including an £8.50 breakfast for two.

In one post on an expat Facebook group, he wrote: ‘The food was delicious by the way, all fresh fruit on the pancake and crepe. So the bill came to 1000 lek, took all the money out of my pocket to search for 1000 and leave a tip. Left the amount on the table and walked away. 

‘After walking about 300 yards down the road I realised in horror I had also left 5000 lek (£42) note on the table by mistake. Walked all the way back, of course by that time the table had been cleared. Went in and saw the owner, explained I wasn’t absolutely sure but thought I had left 5000 lek on the table?

‘He smiled, opened up his wallet and gave me back my 5000 lek. I of course thanked him for his honesty and advised I would post about his business. Anyway Saranda Restaurant has a fantastic seaview setting and a superb choice of food.’

Pictures of the seafront restaurant’s menu show grilled squid dishes for £10, pork chops for £6.75 and pizzas for between £5.89 and £12.63. Beer and wine are on sale for £2.50.

A visit to the dentist for a white filling set him back just £35 – compared with prices up to £240 to have the same treatment privately in the UK.

Since making the move two years ago, Chris regularly shares pictures of stunning sunsets and comments praising the honesty and friendliness of locals (pictured, his partner Suzy)

Since making the move two years ago, Chris regularly shares pictures of stunning sunsets and comments praising the honesty and friendliness of locals (pictured, his partner Suzy) 

Sharing pictures of his luxurious new home in the Riviera resort of Sarandë, the Brit (pictured) said: 'Watching the sunset from our new home in Sarandë after finding a hidden beach as our back garden I do indeed feel very lucky'

Sharing pictures of his luxurious new home in the Riviera resort of Sarandë, the Brit (pictured) said: ‘Watching the sunset from our new home in Sarandë after finding a hidden beach as our back garden I do indeed feel very lucky’ 

Chris has often praised online the ridiculously low prices in the country, including an £8.50 breakfast for two (pictured, his partner Suzy)

Chris has often praised online the ridiculously low prices in the country, including an £8.50 breakfast for two (pictured, his partner Suzy) 

Another who has told how he moved to Albania has told how he swapped his minimum wage job delivering Pizza Hut for a more luxurious life in the Balkans.

‘Digital nomad’ Volky quit his low-paying fast food job in London two years ago to travel, eventually setting up home in the Albanian capital of Tirana.

He said: ‘I used to work multiple minimum wage jobs in the UK delivering pizzas, delivering food for Deliveroo for a while, I was also selling cupcakes in Brent Cross shopping mall for £6.70 per hour.

‘Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. If you have access to the internet and speak English the opportunities are endless.

‘For a two bedroom apartment in the city centre I’m paying £750 per month for rent. In the UK that would probably get you a studio flat in the north or a room in London so it’s not a good deal.’

Volky says he now pays himself £2,000 per month from his UK based company but with all his income coming from online work he sees no sense in staying in the UK.

He added: ‘For me to be in the UK and continue living there doesn’t make any sense.

‘There’s a lot of misconceptions about people living in the UK and what their lives are like. 

'Digital nomad' Volky (pictured) quit his low-paying fast food job in London two years ago to travel, eventually setting up home in the Albanian capital of Tirana

‘Digital nomad’ Volky (pictured) quit his low-paying fast food job in London two years ago to travel, eventually setting up home in the Albanian capital of Tirana

Volky (pictured) says he now pays himself £2,000 per month from his UK based company but with all his income coming from online work he sees no sense in staying in the UK

Volky (pictured) says he now pays himself £2,000 per month from his UK based company but with all his income coming from online work he sees no sense in staying in the UK

The 'digital nomad' (pictured) said: 'The UK is on a bit of a downward trend and Albania is developing very quickly - you want to be where the momentum is'

The ‘digital nomad’ (pictured) said: ‘The UK is on a bit of a downward trend and Albania is developing very quickly – you want to be where the momentum is’ 

‘People have these misconceptions that in the UK there are more opportunities, more jobs and the jobs are higher paying but your living expenses are also higher.

‘Another big reason I left is the taxes. 

‘The UK is on a bit of a downward trend and Albania is developing very quickly – you want to be where the momentum is. You don’t want to be somewhere where people are miserable living in that country, over here people are very happy compared to the UK.

‘In Albania I think you’re just a lot more free, they just let you get on with your own business as long as you don’t harm anybody.

‘Maybe because the UK is more developed it’s like that but I’d personally prefer to have more personal freedom and less safety. The way the UK is going it’s becoming more unsafe but if you actually come and visit Albania you will see how safe it is.

‘Another reason is the weather, in the UK most of the time the weather is absolutely trash and that can have an impact on your quality of life. In Albania you get seven to eight months of really good weather.’

In recent years Albania has become a popular destination for British holidaymakers with more than 120,000 UK nationals each year now visiting the Balkan nation.

Research by MailOnline has found the average meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Albania is just £29 in total, while a beer will cost an average of £1.67. The cheapest cities for a meal are Shkoder and Vlore where it is only £21 for two. The least expensive city for a beer is Berat at just 80p.

In recent years Albania has become a popular destination for British holidaymakers with more than 120,000 UK nationals each year now visiting the Balkan nation (pictured, Suzy, an expat living in Albania)

In recent years Albania has become a popular destination for British holidaymakers with more than 120,000 UK nationals each year now visiting the Balkan nation (pictured, Suzy, an expat living in Albania) 

Research by MailOnline has found the average meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Albania is just £29 in total (pictured, Suzy)

Research by MailOnline has found the average meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Albania is just £29 in total (pictured, Suzy) 

Albania is sunny 300 days a year, with temperatures about 18C well into November and its southern beaches are described as the 'Maldives of Europe' (pictured, Suzy)

 Albania is sunny 300 days a year, with temperatures about 18C well into November and its southern beaches are described as the ‘Maldives of Europe’ (pictured, Suzy)

Data compiled by cost of living database Numbeo also reveals capital Tirana is the most expensive spot for a meal out, but it is still only £33 for two, while a beer is £1.70.

Albania has a population of 2.7million and is a relatively undiscovered destination for Britons, with Italians currently making up the biggest proportion of tourists.

Albania is sunny 300 days a year, with temperatures about 18C well into November and its southern beaches are described as the ‘Maldives of Europe’.

Budget carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air both operate routes to Tirana from a number of UK airports.

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