May 2021
Foreigners in Kosovo can only own real estate if they acquire ownership through inheritance. Given Kosovo's aim to join the European Union(EU), this situation is changing. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and the EU foresees the opening of the Kosovo real estate market to citizens and companies of EU member states.
Despite the clear provisions of the SAA in this regard, in practice this market opening is challenged in principle by the current legal framework for property rights and their implementation in Kosovo.
This study analyzes the legal framework, challenges and expected impact, and provides recommendations.