These are why Italians choose to live in Albania

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama has continued with Albania's promotion, publishing an Italian media article on some of the reasons Italians choose to live in Albania.

Living as a pensioner in Durres

Carmine, Former Italian Retirer and Pensioner I The NPS (Social Security Institute) was in search of a place to live in peace with his pension. Thus, after conducting various research and after several inspections, he decided to move to Albania, Durres. From that day, three years have passed, and Carmine and his wife live in a house on the edge of the sea, with many miles of beach available for long walks in the morning.

Carmine, now you have been living for three years in Durres, but before you choose Albania have you seen other countries?

Yes, we initially thought about Canary, but then, analyzing the elements in favour and against, along with economic costs on our pension, we chose Albania. But we were undecided between Tirana and Durres. However, then (two years before the final move), just because we had made the final choice after we actually saw our home, we had no doubts and bought it. We now live in Durres, on the beach, with great calm above all in winter, and we have endless miles of beach available for beautiful walks.

Why did you choose Albania?

My choice was Albania because, after doing research, I noticed that the cost of living was much lower than in Italy and above all, I could appreciate the hospitality of the Albanian people, who do everything to make you feel good. The other very important aspect is the proximity to Italy.

What's the retirement life like in Albania?

I'm a pensioner, ex-artizan, and from my point of view, it's much better living here than in Italy. Everything is less chaotic, a higher security perception is perceived and people are more social. Feeling less stress, the state is much less oppressive, bureaucracy is smaller, and a very important aspect for us pensioners is more secure. There's no such thing as a little crime. At home, the neighbor is always present in case of need (I feel as if I have returned to our Italy in the '60 ' s), there are still children playing in the streets, we retirees respect (I have often happened on the bus that young people release my seating seat). I haven't seen this in Italy in years.

Then, trading 100 euros for 13,500 dollars, knowing that you can do more than in Italy, gives you a feeling that has no pay.

Is it easy for pensioners?

Here in Albania, applying to INPS, tax removal can be obtained, so it receives gross retirement and taxes are paid in the residence state. The big advantage is that pensions are not taxed in Albania.

As for retirement, what is its purchasing power in the country?

The value of our pension, as I said before, because it is barto is higher, taking into consideration the cost of living that is 50% lower than in Italy, our pension has a much higher purchasing force.

Are there many Italians here?

I don't have official data, but there's probably a lot. There are also many students who attend Albanian universities linked and twinned with Italian universities. Pensioners are still not much, but with certainty in the future the number is expected to increase.

How do you spend your days?

My days are quiet, I love walking, above all in the morning on the edge of the sea. Where I live, we have about six miles [5-6 km] of free beach, and most of all in winter it's entirely at our disposal.

Would you recommend the transfer to Italian pensioners like you?

Of course. First thing to do, you should come here for at least 15 days. I recommend finding a rented apartment (without end), thus testing everyday life so that you can appreciate the advantages and shortcomings of this people along with their customs and traditions.

As for bureaucratic retirement practices, was it easy or did you have problems?

I had no problem with my residence permit because when I applied I had bought the house two years earlier. In fact, pensioners who choose to live in Albania must certainly be homeowners in the country.

Otherwise, I had difficulties with INPS on my retirement destination for various reasons:

The INPS provides a form called EP/l-1 that must be met and re-evaluated and sealed by Albanian fiscal authorities. But this does not happen, because Albanian authorities do not recognise INPS as tax substitutes, but as an alternative they issue a document they claim I am a fiscal resident in Albania.

The INPS office employee I belong to (Novara) refused in any way to recognise this document, although accepted by the bilateral convention signed by the two states (Convention of 21/05/98 No. 175 ratified on 21/12/1999. So I was forced to address a lawyer to proceed with a lawsuit for failing to issue official documents. At that point he obeyed, and after a year of battle, we were able to receive the long - awaited removal of taxes. My advice is not to give in to the first no, because it's a practice to refuse tax removal in the first instance. It is our right set by the co-existence agreements between these two countries, as a result it should be recognised.

What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Albania?

The positive aspects I listed earlier. Among those negatives is health. That public is largely lacking in economic resources, although I have had to meet very good doctors despite scarce resources available.

As an alternative, there are very good private clinics that function very well at relatively high costs. Of course, it is advisable to predict health insurance to be more relaxed.

You think about going back to Italy one day?

Returning to Italy at the moment is not part of my plans, I have discovered a way of life far more appropriate to my present needs.