Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• The rainy season, usually between December and February, can cause severe flooding, particularly in the north of Albania. See Natural Disasters.
  
  
• Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, crime and violence still represent a problem in some areas (though not typically targeted at foreign nationals). Gun ownership is widespread.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Albanian Border and Migration Police figures showed that 73,928 British Citizens visited Albania between 1 June 2010 and 1 June 2011. Most visits are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Albania. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  

See our terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, and Albanians are very hospitable to visitors. Crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas. However, reports of crime specifically targeting members of the resident or visiting expatriate community remain rare. Criminals have used small explosive devices, and there have also been sporadic shootings. These appear to be related to criminal, business or political interests, and are targeted against specific individuals.

There have also been incidences of luggage being reportedly stolen from hotel rooms and public transport, particularly in the coastal resorts of Vlore and Saranda. Remain alert, be aware of your surroundings and carry only the essentials - with valuables being hidden or better still left at home/in your hotel.

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
In December 2009 Albania officially declared it had met its Ottawa Convention Article 5 Obligations and had reached mine-free status.  Previously, a risk of unexploded ordnance from the 1999 Kosovo crisis had affected border areas.  If you are travelling across the border, remember to check our travel advice for Kosovo.

On 15 March 2008, there was a major explosion at an ammunition depot in Gerdec, near Tirana and close to the main Tirana-Durres motorway (a section of which was temporarily closed). It is estimated that up to 100,000 tonnes of munitions remain stockpiled at depots throughout Albania. Until surplus, old and degraded munitions are dismantled, they will continue to present a safety risk in areas near such depots.

Safety and Security - Road Travel
Driving can be very hazardous. Roads are poor, especially (but not only) in rural areas. In winter, mountain roads are snowy and icy. During hot spells, the tarmac can melt and become slippery. Flash flooding is possible throughout the year. Drivers should be alert for large, unmarked potholes. Street lighting in urban areas is subject to power cuts. Elsewhere, except on the major inter-urban arterial routes, there is no street lighting, so drivers should be cautious when travelling at night, due to the risks of unmarked road works, potholes and unlit vehicles. Four-wheel drive vehicles are often more practical on rural and minor roads. There is no national recovery system, so cars should be self-sufficient, carrying minor repair equipment including jack, spare wheel, fan belts, wiper blades, local phrase book, first aid kit, water and overnight food when in remote areas.

Drivers with foreign licensed vehicles draw particular scrutiny from the Road Traffic Police.  Adhere to road traffic law at all times as committing even minor offences may result in you being fined.

Albanian driving can often be aggressive and erratic. Fatality rates from road traffic accidents are amongst the highest in Europe. Minor traffic disputes can quickly escalate, especially as some motorists could be armed. If you intend to drive you are advised to avoid reacting to provocative behaviour by other road users. If you are involved in a traffic accident, even a minor one, you are required to wait until the police arrive. This will usually happen quickly in built-up areas.

Expect queues at all border crossings, especially at weekends and during the summer months.

Visitors intending to import vehicles into Albania should ensure they have all the necessary documentation on arrival at the border. Consult with the Albanian Embassy in London before departure regarding documentary requirements. The British Embassy is unable to offer any assistance to individuals attempting to bring vehicles into Albania who do not have the correct documentation on arrival at the border.

See our driving abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Air Travel
Security arrangements at Tirana’s Mother Teresa Airport meet the required UK standards.  Direct flights operate between the UK and Albania. 

Safety and Security - Sea travel
There have been instances of passenger boats sinking, usually due to a lack of safety precautions and equipment. In March 2008 a boat capsized on Farka Lake (south of Tirana) and in September 2009 a sightseeing boat capsized on Lake Ohrid. Both incidents resulted in passenger deaths.

Safety and Security - Swimming
Albania does not have a blue flag operator, and there is no recognised similar system of assessment of beaches. However, several beaches along the Albanian coast are reported by the Albanian press to be polluted as a result of inadequate sewage disposal and treatment. See our river and sea safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

Albania Country Profile

Homosexuality is not illegal but is not widely accepted, and there have been recent incidents of assault against homosexuals. Be discrete in relation to public displays of affection.

Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe.

The Albanian authorities do not always inform the British Embassy when British nationals have been arrested. If you are detained, you may insist on your right to contact a British Consular Officer. To see what we can do see our When Things Go Wrong page.

See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British citizens are permitted to enter and remain in Albania for a maximum total of 90 days in every six-month period without a visa.  The Albanian authorities require anyone staying longer than 90 days to apply for a Residence Permit at the police station with jurisdiction over the place of residence.  

Entry Requirements - Passport validity 
You must hold a valid passport to enter Albania. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Albania.  

Entry Requirements - Residence 
A family seeking to take up residence must additionally provide notarised birth and marriage certificates to the local police authorities.  British nationals working in Albania for charities, philanthropic and humanitarian organisations may be exempt from the residence permit fee. 

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Albanian Embassy in London.

Medical facilities (including those for accident and emergency use) are very poor, particularly outside Tirana. We do not recommend using the dental facilities. There are high levels of Hepatitis in Albania. Rabies is also a matter of concern as there are large numbers of stray dogs, although the last reported case of the disease in Tirana was in 1978. 

Cases of tick borne encephalitis have been reported in the north of the country; vaccination is available. Keep all areas of your body covered when close to shrubs or bushes, and inspect yourself regularly for ticks.

The tap water in Albania may cause illness - you should drink only bottled water. If you drink milk you should ensure that it is UHT. Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to food poisoning.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Albania and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general diseases protection and prevention visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct (0845 46 47.  See our travel health page.  

Albania lies in a seismically-active zone, and tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but do occur.

The rainy season, usually between December and February, can cause severe flooding, particularly in the north of Albania. The Government of Albania declared a state of emergency in the Shkodra area in December 2010 due to heavy rains. Villages in the north were evacuated. Major roads were initially closed, causing disruption to traffic.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Albania, which includes evacuation by air ambulance. Check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page. 

General - Consular registration
You should register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. 

General - Issue of passports
The British Embassy in Tirana does not issue full passports. You should check the validity of your passport and, if necessary, renew it before travelling to Albania. Ensure that you enter next of kin details in the back page of your passport. The Embassy can accept applications for new passports, which will be forwarded to the British Embassy in Paris for processing. Allow four to six weeks for receipt of the new passport. If you lose a passport while in Albania, you must report this immediately to the police and obtain a police report. The British Embassy can issue you with an emergency travel document.  

General - Money 
Major credit/debit cards are accepted in most banks and international hotels. You may prefer to use cash, as in the past foreigners have been victims of credit card fraud. There are numerous ATM machines in Tirana and main towns, as well as bureaux de change where Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted for exchange. Although street money-changers operate openly, they do so illegally. You should therefore to only use banks or established bureaux de change.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Albanian Border and Migration Police figures showed that 73,928 British Citizens visited Albania between 1 June 2010 and 01 June 2011. Most visits are trouble-free.

Fifteen British nationals required consular assistance in Albania in the period 1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following types of incident: one hospitalisation; and four arrests.