smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Albania
| Albania overall | This Advice is current for Monday, 13 October 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| North east region bordering Kosovo | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent with little or no warning.
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Albania because of the risk of criminal activity. You should pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
A high level of security awareness should be maintained at all times when travelling around Albania. Car jackings have been reported. Petty crime such as mugging, pickpocketing and bag snatching also occurs. Be vigilant when travelling on public transport.
The risk of crime increases after dark.
North east region bordering Kosovo: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the north east region bordering Kosovo (including the cities of Bajram Curri and Tropoje) due to the risk of criminal violence and unexploded ordnance along the Albania-Kosovo border. Armed criminal gangs are particularly prevalent in this north-east region. Foreigners have been robbed and assaulted when travelling in the area.
During winter months, Albania has in the past experienced electricity and power shortages without notice, including in the capital Tirana.
Driving in Albania can be hazardous due to aggressive drivers, poorly maintained roads and vehicles, and inadequate road lighting. During winter months, mountain roads are icy and slippery and snow chains should be used as appropriate.
Reliable travel options within Albania are limited and the safety standards that Australians might expect of public transport are unlikely to be met.
There are no commercial domestic flights within Albania. Bus and rail travel is unreliable.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Albania is subject to earthquakes. Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice and obey instructions of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Most banks and international hotels accept major credit cards. Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted in Albania and cash payment is often expected.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering and theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Albania, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug-related crime are severe.
Under Albanian law you are required to carry identification at all times.
Both a valid Australian driver’s licence and an International driver’s licence are required to legally operate a vehicle in Albania.
Homosexual activity is not illegal in Albania however you should be aware that it is not yet widely accepted.
It is illegal to photograph military installations and military personnel in Albania.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
The Albanian government considers anyone born in Albania or children born to an Albanian parent to be Albanian citizens.
Australian/Albanian dual national males may be subject to compulsory military service and should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Albania well in advance of travel.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Albania for the most up-to-date information.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while travelling overseas.
Medical facilities in Albania are poor. There is a lack of specialists, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, and hygiene standards are poor. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with the appropriate facilities would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation would be considerable.
Travel in forested areas in Albania brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are very common in country areas and are active from spring to autumn. Diseases transmitted by sandflies (including sandfly fever and leishmaniasis) are prevalent in coastal regions.
Water-borne, food-born and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, brucellosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend that you avoid raw and undercooked food and avoid unpasteurised dairy products. It is recommended that all drinking water be boiled or that you drink bottled water and that you avoid ice cubes. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Albania. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Greece:
Australian Embassy
Level 6
THON Building
Cnr Kifisias and Alexandras Avenues
Ambelokipi 11523
Athens GREECE
Telephone +30 (210) 870 4000
Facsimile +30 (210) 870 4055
Website www.greece.embassy.gov.au
Limited consular assistance, which does not include the issue of Australian passports, may be obtained from:
British Embassy
Rruga Skenderbej 12
Tirana, ALBANIA
Telephone +355 (42) 34 973
Facsimile +355 (42) 47 697
If you are travelling to Albania, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency-whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above mission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
