Student Housing in Albania: Tirana Dormitories, Private Rent and Visa Proof

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Housing is the part of studying in Albania that is hardest to plan from abroad. Each university handles it differently. Tirana has a large complex of public dormitories, and many students rent privately. You also need an address on paper, because both the visa and the residence permit ask for proof of accommodation.

Public dormitories in Tirana: Qyteti Studenti

Qyteti Studenti ("Student City") is a district of Tirana with almost 30 large dormitory buildings, near most of the city's universities. According to the information sheet of Metropolitan Tirana University for 2024/25:

registration for the new academic year opens in the first days of September, online at qytetistudenti.tirana.al, while for the mixed buildings it is done in person at the dormitory directorate;
documents are a university certificate or student card, a copy of your ID and photographs;
monthly fees were 4,500, 5,500 or 10,000 lek depending on the building, with a deposit of €50 returned at the end of the stay;
the renovated blocks have rooms for up to four students, split into two rooms with a shared bathroom, and common kitchens, laundry and study areas.

An EU-funded project describes the renovated blocks as having rooms for up to two students, with a shared kitchen and study room on each floor, and reports that places in the renovated dormitories were fully booked within an hour of opening. Treat these numbers as examples from one year and check the registration page, which was not open to our automated check, for the current terms. We found no official rule on places for international students, so ask your university.

What universities say

University of Vlora: its international students page does not describe housing options, but the invitation letter for the student visa needs proof of paid accommodation for one academic year.
Barleti University: points to a private partner residence in Tirana and to Public Student Residence No. 1, a public residence aimed at students who need financial support. It lists no prices.
European University of Tirana: does not provide housing and suggests hotels or hostels for the first days, then private or shared apartments, with help from its international relations officer.
Epoka University and others: the pages we checked do not list dormitory fees, so ask the international office.

Private rent

We have no verified rent figures for Albania from an official or university source, and our catalogue shows no dormitory prices. The most useful steps are to book a short stay for the first days, look at flats in person, and ask the international office or students already there. Prices in Tirana differ a lot by district.

Proof of accommodation for the visa and permit

Visa: the application needs confirmation of accommodation. For foreign students this can be a self-declaration, or a confirmation from a university that offers accommodation or from another provider.
Residence permit: the application needs documents proving accommodation in Albania. Barleti describes it as a certificate or lease that meets housing standards.
Registration: a residence permit valid for at least a year also requires registration at the civil registry of your local municipality, and notice of any change of address.

See student visa for Albania.

Where to look next

Official sources

Student City, Tirana: dormitories information sheet: Metropolitan Tirana University
Student City dormitory registration: Municipality of Tirana (403 to automated access)
WeBalkans: a visit to the new sustainable student dorms of Tirana: EU project
Law No. 79/2021 "On Aliens", English translation: Ministry of Interior
University of Vlora: international students
Barleti University: visa procedure and residence permit
European University of Tirana: international students FAQ

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.