Europe

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

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• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to the north east border areas (i.e. the districts of Kukes, Has and Tropoje) between Albania and Kosovo because of the risk of unexploded ordnance placed during the 1999 Kosovo crisis and the poor condition of the roads.
  
  
• A demonstration organised by the Opposition Socialist Party is taking place in the centre of Tirana from 20 - 22 November 2009. As a result, Skenderbeg Square and much of the Boulevard will be closed to traffic from early afternoon on 20 November. Serious traffic congestion is therefore anticipated. Although the demonstrations are expected to be peaceful, isolated incidents of violence cannot be ruled out. We therefore advise all members of the British Community to avoid the protest areas, if at all possible.
  
  
• Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas.  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 59,659 British Citizens visited Albania between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. Most visits are trouble-free. Four British nationals required consular assistance in Albania in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (0 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (2 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (12 cases).
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Albania.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.