Europe

Kosovo
Still current at: 24 November 2009 Updated: 16 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the summary and the entry requirements section (travel into Serbia), the local travel (northern Kosovo) section and the road travel and local laws and customs sections. The overall level of this advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

On arrival in Kosovo, you may be asked by immigration officials if you feel unwell. Kosovo has not, as yet, introduced other screening or quarantine procedures, but this may change and you should therefore keep up to date with developments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on pandemic flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
We advise against all but essential travel to North Mitrovica following sporadic disturbances there since Kosovo declared independence in February 2008. If you intend to enter Kosovo from Serbia (border crossings at Gates 1 and 31, Leposavic and Zubin Potok) you should consider alternative routes. See the local travel (Northern Kosovo) section of this advice for more details.
The Serbian authorities will not allow you to travel into Serbia from Kosovo unless you began your journey in Serbia or you travel from Kosovo to Serbia via Macedonia or Montenegro. There have been incidents where foreign nationals have been denied entry into Serbia if they hold border entry or exit stamps from Kosovo. When visiting Kosovo, you may be required, by the Kosovo border police, to provide documents explaining your visit (for example a letter of introduction). See the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details.
Residual landmines and other unexploded ordnance remain in Kosovo, although all roads and tracks have been cleared. You should exercise caution when travelling in remote areas.
There is an underlying global threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Most visits to Kosovo are trouble-free. Two British nationals required consular assistance in Kosovo in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (8 cases).
There have been confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Kosovo (source: local Ministry of Health). You should monitor events closely and maintain good hygiene practices.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. 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.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying risk from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For further information read and. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Crime

As in other parts of Europe, you should be aware of the incidence of street crime, particularly in larger cities. Be extra vigilant for pick-pocketing in public places such as airports and on public transportation. As a foreigner, you may be a target for criminals who may assume you are carrying large amounts of cash. Four wheel drive and luxury vehicles are also a popular target. Isolated incidents of armed violence in major cities are a problem. These are usually linked to organised crime and are not directed against foreigners, including British nationals. All incidents of crime should be reported to the local police from whom you should obtain a report.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political Situation

Kosovo country profile

On 17 February 2008 Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. The UK, along with the US and other European countries, recognised Kosovo’s independence on 18 February 2008. In December 2008, the EU took over the international supervision of the Kosovan police and judicial system from the UN.

The security situation in Kosovo, particularly north Kosovo, remains unpredictable. A small explosion took place at the office of the International Representative on 14 November 2008. The perpetrator is so far unknown. Rioting took place near North Mitrovica in late March 2009.

In the past the Albanian nationalist 'Self Determination Movement' ('Vetëvendosje' in Albanian) has held a number of demonstrations, which have led to public disturbances. On 10 February 2007, a demonstration in central Pristina ended in violence with two deaths. Other incidents include explosive devices targeted at UNMIK Headquarters (July 2005) and UNMIK vehicles (September/October 2005 and February 2007). On 21 March 2007, a grenade was thrown into the compound of a restaurant in the centre of Pristina and, on 26 March 2007, an explosion outside a hotel destroyed a vehicle. Members of the international community frequent both locations.

There have also been sporadic incidents not directly targeting foreign nationals or interests, one of the most serious being an explosion that took place on 24 September 2007 on Bill Clinton Boulevard in Pristina, causing two deaths and a number of injuries.

To avoid the possibility of being inadvertently caught up in any violent incidents, you should check local developments before and during your journey. In the event of civil disorder, you are advised to stay at home or in your hotel and restrict your movements as much as possible, especially after dark. You should register your presence in Kosovo with the British Embassy in Pristina (see the contact details section of this travel advice).

UNMIK and KFOR provide the latest security information on their websites. In the event of a crisis, information will also be provided by KFOR radio (96.6FM).

We recommend you stay alert at all times and take particular care to avoid public gatherings, political rallies, protests and polling stations, and pay close attention to local media reports.

Local Travel

There is still some danger from residual mines and other unexploded ordnance left over from the 1999 conflict. Since 2002, 16 people have been killed and 49 seriously injured by mines or unexploded ordnance. The main areas of danger are on the border with Albania, in the Dulje Pass area (in central Kosovo), and in the west and south of the province. The mountainous region between South Serbia’s Presevo Valley and Kosovo is also problematic. Special care should be taken in all these areas, and you should keep to the main roads. Most of the remaining dangerous areas are in high mountainous regions covered with dense vegetation. If you see anything suspicious, do not touch it, and report it immediately to the police or the nearest KFOR patrol.

You should exercise caution when travelling in Kosovo. In 2006 there were instances of armed individuals stopping vehicles travelling in west and central Kosovo, although these tended to target Kosovo Albanians rather than foreigners.

Northern Kosovo

We advise against all but essential travel to North Mitrovica following violence there on7 March 2008. On 19 February 2008, angry mobs attacked the police and customs buildings north of Leposavic (Gate 1) and Banja, Zubin Potok (Gate 31). On 21 February 2008, an aggressive crowd burnt tyres and threw missiles at the police and KFOR at the border point at Medare, Pudujevo municipality (Gate 3). A similar incident took place on 25 February at the border point at Mutivoda, Pristina municipality (Gate 4). We would advise that if you do enter Kosovo from Serbia via Leposavic (Gate 1) and Zubin Potok (Gate 31), you do so with extra vigilance.

Road Travel

The general standard of roads is fair to poor with conditions worsening in rural areas, especially in and after bad weather. There remains an inherent risk of landslide. You are advised against travelling at night.

A UK driving licence is valid in Kosovo. You must have vehicle registration / ownership documents and a locally valid insurance policy. However, European Green Card vehicle insurance is not valid and you should purchase local third party insurance at the border on entry. Where an insurance bureau is unavailable you should purchase insurance from the nearest town at the earliest opportunity. You should ensure that you have sufficient Euros to pay for insurance and fuel. Fuel is widely available but the quality varies. Delays at the border crossings between Kosovo and Macedonia are common.

You should be aware that many Serbian car hire firms will not allow their vehicles to be driven in Kosovo, and vice-versa, due to concerns about the security situation. There have been some incidents where Serbian registered cars have been targeted in more isolated areas of Kosovo.

Taxis are readily available in Pristina. However, the condition of the vehicle and standard of driving vary.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Rail Travel

The rail service from Fushë Kosovë (Kosovo Polie) to Zvecan (Zvečan) and Leshak (Lešak) in northern Kosovo is currently suspended. Services to other parts of Kosovo are unaffected.

Train and bus connections in Kosovo are poor and prone to delays. Trains can be slow, particularly in winter when there are often long delays.

Air Travel

Pristina airport has a modern terminal handling all international arrivals and departures.

Local laws and customs

Drugs laws are similar to those in the UK. Possession ort rafficking of drugs will be met with strict penalties and usually a lengthy prison sentence.

There are no laws against homosexual activity and same-sex couples in Kosovo. However, given Kosovo’s conservative society homosexual activity is not tolerated. Public displays of affection are not advisable.

Please note that taking photographs of military and police installations and/or personnel or vehicles anywhere in Kosovo may lead to difficulties with the authorities.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

There are no visa requirements for any national, including British, to enter Kosovo. You may be required to provide documentary evidence giving a reason for your entry and stay to local authorities when entering Kosovo. A 90-day entry stamp will be issued which is renewable for longer stays.

Please note that the authorities in Serbia do not consider the designated crossing points from Kosovo to be official 'international' border crossing points. You should not attempt to enter Serbia from Kosovo, unless you initially travelled into Kosovo from Serbia, or are travelling via Albania, Macedonia or Montenegro (for more information please visit the website of the Serbian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

UNMIK exit/entry stamps were replaced by Republic of Kosovo stamps on 27 June 2008. Since the introduction of these stamps, we are aware of incidents where foreign nationals, including those from the United Kingdom, have been denied entry to Serbia if they have these stamps in their passports. Whilst we have not been officially informed of any changes to Serbian immigration requirements by their authorities, the Serbian authorities may not allow you to travel into Serbia if you hold these stamps.

Passport validity

Before you travel, you should ensure that your passport is undamaged and valid for the duration of your stay in Kosovo.

Health

The health system in Kosovo is severely under-funded. Hospitals lack specialist equipment and there is a widespread shortage of medicines and other essentials. Many in the medical profession lack training in modern techniques and practices. A small payment in cash (currently €4) is required for treatment but you are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any medical evacuation.

Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is common to Kosovo. Although, most cases of CCHF occur in the region around Malishevë/o (Central Kosovo), during the summer months other rural areas of Kosovo can be affected. If you suffer from a fever during a visit to Kosovo you should seek immediate medical attention.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Kosovo and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Swine flu – A (H1N1)

There have been confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) in Kosovo (source: local Ministry of Health). You should monitor events closely and maintain good hygiene practices. This advice will be updated regularly pending further developments. On arrival in Kosovo, you may be asked by immigration officials if you feel unwell. Kosovo has not, as yet, introduced other screening or quarantine procedures, but this may change and you should therefore keep up to date with developments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. Further information about the situation is also available from the World Heath Organisation. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on pandemic flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

For more general health information see travel health.

Natural disasters

During especially hot and dry periods there is a danger of forest fires. Please take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas; ensure that cigarette ends are properly extinguished, and do not light barbecues.

Kosovo lies in a seismically active zone, and earth tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but have occurred in the past.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is how we can help.

Registration

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.

Passport

You should ensure that your passport is valid for the length of your stay in Kosovo and that there is sufficient space in your passport for the entry and exit stamps.

It is advised that you carry yourpassport at all times. We therefore advise that you keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place. This will help you to obtain a replacement, in case your passport is lost or stolen.

The loss or theft of a British passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the British Embassy in Pristina. If your passport is lost or stolen the British Embassy in Pristina can issue you an Emergency Passport for a single journey to the UK. If you are travelling by air via another country, or driving through Europe, the Emergency Passport will be valid. The UK Immigration authorities keep the Emergency Passport once you enter the UK.

The British Embassy in Pristina does not accept applications for new passports. Passport applications should be submitted direct to the British Consul General in Dusseldorf by post or courier service. This is due to requirements for all new passports to be machine readable, capable of storing biometrics information and to help reduce forgery. For full details on applying for passports please visit the embassy website.

The British Embassy currently provides a limited consular service (notarial and visa services are not provided).

For further information on passports, please visit the website of the Identity and Passport Service.

Money

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Kosovo (the Serbian Dinar (RSD) is sometimes accepted in Serb-majority areas). The current banking system is embryonic and you will generally be expected to pay in cash. Credit cards are not widely accepted but there are a small number of ATMs in Pristina, which accept international bankcards. You should bring enough Euros to cover your expenses while in Kosovo.

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Contacts

Kosovo, Pristina, British Embassy

Address:

Ismail Qemajli 6
Arberi
Dragodan
Pristina

Telephone:

(381) (38) 254 700

Fax:

(381) (38) 249 799

Email: britishembassy.pristina@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0730-1600
Fri: 0730-1230

Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0830-1700
Fri: 0830-1330

Website: http://ukinkosovo.fco.gov.uk/en/

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