Europe

Albania

Still current at: 29 August 2008

Updated: 06 August 2008

Terrorism

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

 
Small devices exploded in central Tirana in February and April 2007, at a restaurant and in the car of a newspaper editor respectively.  In each case, no-one was hurt and it was reported in the local press that the attacks were specifically targeted.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, and Albanians are very hospitable to visitors, but crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas.  In February 2006, a bus was hijacked near Rreshen (on the Tirana – Kukes route) resulting in the death of a passenger and a police officer.  Although reports of crime specifically targeting members of the expatriate community remain rare,in February 2008 a British Citizen was robbed and murdered. You should therefore remain vigilant about your personal security.

You should bear in mind the widespread ownership of firearms.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Albania Country Profile

Local Travel

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 near the border during the 1999 Kosovo crisis and the poor condition of the roads (as is the condition of many rural roads around Albania).  The areas around Tirana, Durres and Saranda, and most of the larger towns and cities are relatively trouble-free, but you should avoid travelling at night.

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).

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.  You should stay 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 night travel is best avoided.  We suggest using four-wheel drive vehicles in Albania.  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 plated vehicles draw particular scrutiny from the Road Traffic Police.  You should 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.  Minor traffic disputes can quickly escalate, especially as some motorists are likely to be armed.  If you intend to drive you are strongly 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.

You should expect queues at all border crossings, especially at weekends and during the summer months.

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

 

Air Travel

Security arrangements at Tirana’s Mother Teresa airport meet the required UK standards.  Direct flights now operate between the UK and Albania.

 

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.

Sea Safety

There have been a number of instances of passenger boat sinkings, usually due to a lack of safety precautions and equipment. In March 2008, a boat capsized on Farka Lake (south of Tirana).

 

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

Homosexuality is not illegal but is not yet accepted as a cultural norm.  We recommend discretion 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. 

 

Fore more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

 

British citizens are permitted to enter Albania for 30 days without a visa.  Thereafter, you can seek an extension of up to a further 60 days by applying at your local police station 10 days before the expiry of the initial 30 days permit of stay.  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.  For guidance on applying for Residence Permits, please see the Embassy website: http://www.uk.al.

 

Passport validity

 

All travellers entering Albania must have at least six months' validity remaining on their passport.

 

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 tax

 

British passport holders are obliged to pay a 10 Euro entry tax.  The entry tax will be waived for holders of Albanian resident permits.

 

Travelling with children

 

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further 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 you should keep all areas of your body covered when close to shrubs or bushes, and to inspect yourself regularly for ticks.

 

Drink only bottled water and UHT milk.

 

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 Albania and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  JFor further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general diseases protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct (0845 46 47.

 

For more general information see Travel Health.

 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

In March 2006, the Albanian authorities confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in domestic poultry in the village of Cuka near the Butrint Lagoon in south west Albania and in the village of Peze-Helmes, 14km from the capital Tirana. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Natural Disasters

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

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling to Albania, including evacuation by air ambulance.  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.

 

Consular 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.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Issue of passports

 

The British Embassy in Tirana does not have the facility to issue full passports.  You are advised to check the validity of your passport and, if necessary, to renew it before travelling to Albania.  You should 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 Rome for processing.  You should allow 4 to 6 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 does have the facility to issue you with an emergency travel document.

 

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.  We therefore advise you to only use banks or established bureaux de change.