Resorts to be built in Albania may also include residential apartments and villas, but their surface area should not exceed 40% of the construction. The government has approved new rules for tourist structures, also stipulating the obligation for projects to be provided with a preliminary certificate before obtaining a construction permit.
The Council of Ministers approved at its meeting on November 5 a decision that defines the categories of accommodation structures and the conditions that new tourism projects must meet.
One of the main changes is the definition of the "mixed resort" category, where in addition to hotels and tourist facilities, apartments or villas for residence can also be built.
According to the decision, at least 60% of the total construction area must be used for tourism, while the residential portion cannot be more than 40%. This ratio is calculated on the construction area and not on the land area.
To avoid ambiguity in the division of spaces, developers should determine in the project which spaces will serve for tourism and which for housing. This calculation also includes common spaces, according to their use.
Another rule is to obtain a preliminary categorization certificate before the approval of the construction permit. The document will be issued by the ministry responsible for tourism and will certify whether the project meets the criteria of the proposed category. However, the certificate does not replace the construction permit.
The decision also stipulates that the apartments, villas and rooms that are intended for tourist accommodation in the new projects will no longer be categorized as separate structures. They will be part of the resort and will function under its joint administration.
While apartments designed for residential use cannot automatically be used for tourist accommodation, legal requirements must first be met and their change of destination approved.
The new rules do not invalidate certificates previously issued for apartments, villas, rooms or distributed hotels. Structures that have received these certificates can continue their activity according to the approved category.
Likewise, projects that received a construction permit before the entry into force of Law No. 83/2026 are not required to be provided with a preliminary categorization certificate.
