Albania

Demonstrations and protests

Political protests have been taking place regularly in central Tirana in 2019.

Demonstrations can occur with little or no warning.

Most demonstrations are peaceful. However, public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To stay safe during periods of unrest:

• monitor local media and other sources
• avoid areas where these events may happen
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Albania, they can still happen.

Terrorist attacks have occurred in some European cities.

Targets include:

• public events
• public transport
• transport hubs
• places visited by travellers

To protect yourself against possible terrorist threats:

• always be alert
• report any suspicious activity or items to police
• monitor the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Theft from vehicles is common.

Take care of your belongings on public transport. Petty crime happens.

Severe weather

Albania may experience severe weather from December to February.

Severe weather can cause flooding, particularly in northern Albania. It may also disrupt local travel and transport services.

Earthquakes

Earth tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less common.

Serious earthquakes can cause: 

• landslides or avalanches
• damage to infrastructure, homes and property
• injury
• death

If a natural disaster or severe weather occurs:

• keep your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• keep in contact with friends and family
• monitor local media and other sources
• follow the advice of local authorities

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.

If you need counselling services while overseas, contact the Australian Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305 and ask to speak to a Lifeline telephone counsellor.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health (World Health Organization)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Albania. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medicine

COVID-19

COVID-19 is present in Albania.

Monitor the media and follow the advice of authorities. 

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Smartraveller)

Insect-borne diseases

Ticks in forests and country areas can carry encephalitis. Ticks are active from spring to autumn.

Diseases spread by sandflies are common in coastal regions. Sandflies can carry:

• sandfly fever
• leishmaniasis (World Health Organisation)

To protect yourself from disease:

• ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

During and after travelling in forested areas:

• check your body for ticks
• remove ticks from your body as soon as possible

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common, including these listed by the World Health Organization:

• tuberculosis
• typhoid
• hepatitis
• brucellosis
• rabies

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• boil drinking water or drink bottled water
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid unpasteurised dairy products
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't go near dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical help straight away.

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

Standards of hygiene and medical facilities are lower than in Australia.

There's limited access to medical equipment, medicine and specialist doctors.

Medical facilities outside Tirana are limited.

Medical facilities can rarely handle serious trauma or major medical care cases.

Ambulances are also limited. Patients often take taxis or other vehicles to the nearest major hospital.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They can include jail sentences and heavy fines.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

You must always carry identification.

It's illegal to photograph military installations and personnel.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law

The Albanian Government considers you an Albanian national if either:

• you were born in Albania
• you have an Albanian parent

You may be subject to compulsory military service if you're a male Australian-Albanian dual national. Contact the embassy or consulate of Albania for details before you leave Australia.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Same-sex relationships are legal in Albania, but aren't widely accepted.

Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI traveller

This information will apply only once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

You can visit Albania for 90 days without a visa. You'll need a visa for longer stays.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact an embassy or consulate of Albania for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Albanian authorities have announced a number of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:   

• All land and sea borders are closed (with the exception of freight)
• Albania has banned all air travel to Greece and Italy. Flights to other countries continue normally;
• People who have travelled to Italy or Greece in the past 14 days must self-isolate. Failure to do so will result in a Euro 5,000 fine
• Non-essential movement is limited, and all public gatherings and sports activities are banned. A wide range of commercial activities throughout Albania have closed, with the exception of essential services such as food shops and pharmacies
• Suspension of public transport in Tirana and Durres until further notice

Airports remain open but commercial options are increasingly limited. If you wish to return to Australia, we recommend you arrange to do so immediately.

If you can't or don't want to leave, follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe and well. If you need urgent consular assistance call +61 2 6261 3305.

Check with your travel provider on disruptions, and your nearest Albanian embassy or consulate about entry requirements.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The local currency is the Albanian Lek (ALL).

You must declare if you're carrying amounts equivalent to USD20,000 when you arrive or leave. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

ATMs and credit card facilities are available in larger cities and in tourist areas.

Many shops and service providers prefer cash.

You can change major currencies at banks and authorised exchange bureaus.

Credit card fraud can happen. Take care not to expose your PIN. Check your bank statements often.

Heavy snowfall in mountain areas may disrupt travel.

Monitor local media for updates. See Climate and natural disasters

Landmines

Landmines are a hazard in the north-east border areas of Albania.

They are a particular hazard in hill towns along the north-eastern border with Kosovo.

To protect yourself from landmines:

• avoid locations displaying landmine or unexploded weapons warning signs
• seek advice from local authorities

Driving permit

To drive in Albania you need both:

• an International Driving Permit (IDP)
• an Australian driver's licence

Get your IDP before leaving Australia. 

More information:

• Driving or riding

Road travel

You're three times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Albania than in Australia.

Hazards include:

• aggressive driving
• poorly maintained roads
• poorly lit roads
• power outages
• icy and slippery roads

If you plan to drive in Albania:

• check your travel insurance will cover you
• know the local road rules
• use snow chains in winter

More information:

• Driving or riding

Taxis

Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines.

Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you.

Avoid flagging down taxis in the street.

Sit in the back seat.

Public transport

Bus and rail travel is unreliable.

Safety standards on public transport can be poor. 

Sea travel

Before boarding a ferry or boat, check whether appropriate safety equipment is available.

Some international cruise lines stop over in Albania.

More information:

• Going on a cruise
• Travelling by boat

Air travel

There are no commercial domestic flights within Albania.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Albania's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, you could contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 128.

Medical emergencies

Call 127 or go to the hospital.

Police

Call 129.

Traffic police

Call 126.

Sea emergencies

Call 125.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Albania.

If you need consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Rome, Italy.

Australian Embassy, Rome

Via Antonio Bosio 5 
00161 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 06 85 2721 
Fax: +39 06 85 272 300 
Email: consular-rome@dfat.gov.au
Website: italy.embassy.gov.au 
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Italy 
Twitter: @AusAmbRome

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

You can get limited consular assistance from the British Embassy in Tirana. However, it can't issue Australian passports.

British Embassy 
Rruga Skenderbej 12 
Tirana, Albania
Phone: (+355) 42 34 973 
Fax: (+355) 42 47 697

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia