Origin Story
From one expat to another
Meet Taylor
Founder of Gateway to Albania
If you had told me a few years ago that I'd be living in Albania, I probably wouldn't have believed you.
I'm originally from Ireland and first moved to Albania when I was 23 years old. What started as a short stay quickly turned into something much bigger.
The more time I spent here, the more I realised that Albania wasn't just somewhere I wanted to visit—it was somewhere I could genuinely see myself building a life.
Today, I run my business online from Albania, spend my days exploring the country, meeting incredible people and experiencing a way of life that's very different from the one I left behind in Ireland.
Living here has given me a perspective that very few immigration companies can offer. I'm not simply helping people move to Albania—I made exactly the same decision myself.
Why Albania?
The reasons I came were probably different from yours. The reasons I stayed might not be.
1. It wasn’t the obvious choice
When I first told people I was going to Albania, most of them thought I was mad.
And to be fair, I understood why.
Albania doesn’t have the same image as Spain, Portugal, Greece or Italy.
But that’s also why I liked it.
2. Life is slower here
Back home, everyone is rushing.
Here, people actually sit down for coffee.
Not for five minutes. Properly sit down.
That sounds small, but when you run a business and your head is always switched on, it matters.
Albania gives me space to breathe.
3. I feel safe here
Albania has a bad reputation in the West.
Honestly, I think that reputation is wrong.
I’ve never felt unsafe here.
People have treated me well. I walk around comfortably. I don’t feel like people are trying to rip me off because I’m foreign.
That surprised me.
4. The cost of living is serious
As a single man, I can live very well here on around €1,000–€1,500 per month.
This includes a newly furnished apartment, eating at restaurants, eating a carnivore diet and never having to worry about my expenditure.
A lifestyle like that would cost far more in Ireland or the UK.
That’s one of the biggest reasons Albania makes sense.
5. The people made me stay
The country is beautiful.
But the people are the reason I stayed.
I’ve made real friends here.
My church community has been a massive part of that.
Without the people, Albania would just be another nice country.
With them, it feels like home.
6. Albania still feels real
Albania is not perfect.
The paperwork is painful. The customer service can be poor. A lot of things are hard to find online.
But I also like that it hasn’t been ruined by mass tourism yet.
It still has its own culture. Its own pace. Its own way of life.
That’s why I’m still here.
Building A Life Here
Moving to Albania was one thing. Building a life here was something completely different.
Living somewhere isn't about the big moments. It's about the ordinary ones.
For me, it's grabbing a coffee in the morning, training at the gym, walking into local shops where people recognise me, catching up with friends, going to church on Sundays and having my family over to visit. That's when I realised I wasn't just travelling anymore—I was actually building a life here.
I still travel back to the UK for work, but Albania has become my baseline. It's the place I look forward to coming back to. And I think that's probably the biggest compliment I can give the country.
The Reality of Immigration
Moving to Albania was easy. Staying here legally wasn't.
I decided to do my entire residence permit application myself.
At the time, I thought I'd save money and figure it out along the way.
I was wrong.
My first application was rejected.
My second application was rejected too.
It wasn't until my third application that I finally received my residence permit.
From start to finish, the process took around six months, cost me well over €1,500 in documents and administration, and involved countless trips to the immigration office.
But if I had known then what I know now, I would have paid someone to help me from the very beginning.
Why I Built Gateway to Albania
I didn't start this business because I wanted another business. I started it because I knew there had to be a better way.
1. I saw a genuine gap
When I was going through my own residence permit application, I quickly realised something.
There was very little clear, trustworthy information available online. Most of what I found was either outdated, contradictory or written from a legal perspective rather than a practical one.
At the same time, I could see more and more people moving to Albania every year.
The demand was growing.
The information wasn't.
To me, that looked like a genuine opportunity to build something that actually helps people.
2. I've built the right team
Although Gateway to Albania is founder-led, this isn't a one-man business.
I've surrounded myself with people who understand the Albanian immigration system inside and out (even better than myself), including trusted local professionals who work with these applications every day.
My role is to build the systems, strategy and client experience.
Their role is to make sure every application is handled professionally and correctly.
That combination gives our clients the best of both worlds: the safety of working with someone who's literally been through the process themselves, backed by people who know the Albanian system inside out.
3. This is just the beginning
I moved to Albania in my early twenties because I genuinely believed I could build a life here.
Now I want to help other people do the same.
As Albania continues to grow, immigration rules will inevitably evolve and become more complex. We've already seen changes over the past few years, and I believe having the right guidance will only become more valuable over time.
Gateway to Albania isn't here to process paperwork.
It's here to become the most trusted place for Western expats who want to build a life in Albania.
Life Outside Work
Most of my time outside work is surprisingly ordinary. You'll usually find me in the gym, hiking local moutains, playing football with local Albanians, catching up with friends over coffee or dinner, or spending Sunday with my church community.
One of the things I appreciate most about living here is the people. Some of my best friends are Albanian, others are expats who have also chosen to build their lives here. Having both perspectives has given me a much deeper understanding of what it's really like to settle into a new country.
At the end of the day, I'm not just someone who helps people move to Albania. I'm someone who's genuinely built a life here myself.
My Beliefs
I believe a lot of Western countries are heading in the wrong direction.
People are becoming more disconnected, more unhealthy, more anxious and less rooted. Communities are weaker. Families are under pressure. Public life feels less safe. Food is more processed. Life just feels more artificial.
I did not move to Albania because it was trendy.
Here, people still value family. They still value respect. They still value faith, community and personal responsibility.
Albania has problems, of course. Bureaucracy can be frustrating. Systems can be slow. Not everything works perfectly.
Gateway to Albania is not here to convince everyone to move here.
It is here to help the people who already feel the pull towards a different way of life.
My Vision
Put simply; My long-term vision is to build a business that supports people through every stage of their journey, from their first enquiry right through to building a life in Albania.
More Than Just Immigration (2026)
Today, our focus is simple: helping people relocate to Albania legally and confidently.
Over time, I'd like Gateway to Albania to grow into a trusted relocation company that can also help with property, local connections, everyday life and the practical challenges that come after receiving a residence permit.
For me, immigration is Version One. Everything else comes afterwards.
Connecting Two Worlds (2027)
Alongside Gateway to Albania, I run a specialist European consultancy that helps individuals and businesses purchase bespoke glamping pods, tiny homes, modular buildings and luxury saunas. Over the last few years, I've worked with clients across multiple countries, helping them plan, procure and deliver projects worth tens and hundreds of thousands of euros.
One of my biggest ambitions is to bring those two worlds together.
Imagine helping someone move to Albania, guiding them through the immigration process, helping them settle into the country and, one day, helping them purchase land and build their own tiny home here.
To me, that's an incredibly exciting vision because it doesn't stop at immigration. It helps people build a permanent future in Albania.
Becoming The Voice For Expats (2028-2030)
I don't just want Gateway to Albania to process residence permits.
My long-term vision is for us to become the voice for expats living in Albania.
As more foreigners move here over the coming years, they'll need someone who genuinely understands both sides: the people building a new life in Albania, and the institutions responsible for making that possible.
I've already started building relationships with local politicians, journalists and business leaders because I believe those conversations matter.
My hope is that, as Gateway to Albania grows, we'll be able to work alongside the Albanian government, communicate the challenges that expats face, contribute to discussions around future legislation and help shape an Albania that continues to welcome people from around the world.
If we can become a trusted bridge between the international community and the Albanian government, I'll consider that one of the company's greatest achievements.
