Albania Visa Details for Traveling in 2024. Are you planning to travel to Albania and wondering about the visa requirements? This article will provide you with detailed information about visa for Albania, along with other important aspects.

Import limits for alcohol in Albania
Passport Control at Tirana Airport

Albania Visa Requirements for Citizens of Different Countries

Official Information for Entry into Albania from All Countries Worldwide (PDF file, if it doesn’t open, please let us know in the comments): https://punetejashtme.gov.al

How to Enter Albania or What Visa You Need:

Albania allows entry with the following visas: Albanian national visa, multiple-entry Schengen visas (type C and D), U.S. and UK visas. Additionally, you can obtain an online tourist visa for Albania, which will be discussed further below

Moreover, citizens of many countries can enter Albania without a visa. You can check the list of visa-exempt countries in the image below:

albania visa requirements
General map showing the need for a visa to travel to Albania

As a result, citizens of the USA can stay in Albania for a whole year, while citizens of EU countries and several others can stay up to 90 days without a visa.

Also Albania allows the following categories of foreign citizens to enter and stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa:

  1. Foreign citizens with a valid, multiple-entry Schengen visa that has been used in one of the Schengen states before, or those with a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen states.
  2. Foreign citizens with a valid, multiple-entry visa for the United States or the United Kingdom, which has been previously used in the respective country of issuance, or those with a valid residence permit in the US or UK.
  3. Foreign citizens who can enter and stay in the Schengen area without a visa.
  4. Foreign citizens with a 10-year residence permit issued by the competent authority of the United Arab Emirates, with a validity of at least one year from the date of entry.

Additionally, citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Thailand can enter the Republic of Albania without a visa using their passport between 20 April 20 and 31 December 2023. This information is outdated, but as of now, the government websites have not yet published details for the year 2024. Once they become available, I will promptly update the article

Where can you go from Albania
So that you understand, the view from the apartments in the center of Saranda. In the photo, you can see a piece of the city, and the island in the background is Corfu.

Moreover, if you have visa-free entry to Albania, you can most likely travel to neighboring countries without a visa.

  • Take a look at Albania on the world map and see its neighbors: Montenegro, Macedonia, Greece.
  • Pay special attention to Greece and here’s why:
    • The majority of tourists relax in Saranda, the main resort town of Albania.
    • From this city, there is a daily high-speed ferry to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu.
    • It takes just 25 minutes to reach the Greek island, as it’s only 7 km away.
    • It’s an excellent idea for a 1-2 day trip to Greece.

How to Obtain a Visa for Albania?

If your passport does not allow you to enter Albania without a visa, I will briefly explain how to obtain one.

Useful to know:

Albania is known for its bureaucracy, even when it comes to regular tourist visas. While tourists are welcome and appreciated, the process of obtaining a standard visa is not the easiest.

However, there is one significant advantage now. You can obtain an electronic tourist visa for Albania without leaving your home. Yes, it requires providing various information and documents, but overall, it’s convenient.

So, what are the options for obtaining an Albanian visa?

  • Through visa centers, which are abundant nowadays. They will assist in filling out the required documents; you just need to provide the necessary certificates.
  • Independently by approaching the Albanian embassy or consulate in your country. This is the least convenient option, as you have to gather all the documents, fill out forms, make an appointment, and visit the embassy in person.
  • By applying for an electronic visa. This is becoming the most attractive option as it is similar to the independent application but can be done online from the comfort of your home.

Electronic Tourist Visa for Albania

  • The essential website for the application is partly in English and partly in Albanian.
    • https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices – You can find all the relevant requirements for the tourist visa there. In short, for tourist purposes in Albania, you need a Type C tourist visa, and the required documents include:
  • If you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for the visa online through the specified website. Be prepared to allocate some time as the application requires filling out various details.

Important Note:

Please be aware that the process for obtaining a visa for Albania can be bureaucratic, but the electronic visa option has made it more convenient in recent years. Make sure to check the required list of documents on the website, as it may change slightly over time.

Entry Rules for Albania

In the post-pandemic era, apart from your passport, it is crucial to know the specific entry requirements for foreigners. This includes information about vaccination or PCR testing, as these regulations may change rapidly.

Please note that

the rules provided below are for crossing the border and not for obtaining a visa in your home country. For up-to-date information about entry requirements, read the article titled “Is Albania Open Now?”

The article will give you a comprehensive overview of the current requirements. In brief, Albania has been open since June 2022, and vaccination or PCR testing is no longer necessary. However, I will also discuss what else might be required at the Albanian border and the entry rules besides presenting your passport.

Useful to know:

The rules mentioned below apply not for obtaining a visa in your home country but for crossing the border. These are the things that the passport control officer at Tirana Airport might ask you for.

Apart from your passport and visa, you will also need:

  • Insurance – especially during the pandemic, it must cover Covid-19 treatment. Detailed information about comprehensive insurance in Albania is available here.
  • Proof of financial means, such as a bank statement or cash. The required amount is quite reasonable: €300 per person for the entire duration of your stay. For Albania, this is not a substantial sum. You can even show it in cash if requested. Read about Prices in Albania here.
  • Sometimes it’s mentioned that the list also includes a tourist voucher, hotel reservations, and return tickets. Here’s the thing: if you’ve already obtained an Albanian tourist visa, they will most likely not ask for these documents at the border since you provided them when applying for the visa.

Important to understand:

Insurance and a bank statement are recommended documents for tourists. The border control officer may ask for them at their discretion. In practice, it’s rare that they do. I’ve crossed the border with Albania about 20 times, and only once was I asked for insurance.
travel insurance and visa to albania
Minimal insurance won’t significantly impact your budget.

Rules for Import/Export and Declaration of Goods at the Albanian Border

Below are requirements that apply to all citizens for the import and export of goods:

Let’s start with import into Albania. Prohibited items include:

  • Drugs
  • Weapons
  • Pornography and extremist materials
  • Explosive substances
  • Currency exceeding 10,000 USD in equivalent. If you declared them upon entry into the country, there will be no issues. Otherwise, you need to figure out how to prove the origin of such an amount, if asked.
  • You can import the following items into Albania duty-free:
    • 200 cigarettes
    • 50 cigars
    • 250g of tobacco
    • 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages
    • 2 liters of wine or beer
    • 250ml of eau de toilette

Useful to know:

Regarding cigarettes, the law specifies “OR”: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 250g of tobacco, whichever you prefer. However, for alcohol, it’s “AND”: 1 liter of strong alcohol and an additional 2 liters of wine, for example.
visa to albania for
When it comes to exports, you can take almost anything you want, especially from the Duty Free at the airport.

However, there are some items that require special permission for export:

  • Currency above 10,000 USD or its equivalent. If you declared them upon entry into the country, there will be no issues. However, if not, you’ll need to think about how to prove the origin of such an amount.
  • Alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, shells, and other items can be exported without any limits.
  • The following items require special permission for export:
    • Artworks
    • Archaeological findings
    • Ancient books and icons
    • Therefore, if customs find an icon in your luggage, be prepared for some time to be spent establishing its value.

Visa for Albania: Travel Tips

Handing out advice is easier than anything else, but nonetheless, many often overlook or forget the essentials:

  • Never travel without insurance. This applies to any country. It’s not expensive, and one unfortunate incident can cover the cost for all your travels and life ahead. Healthcare in a foreign country is always expensive and uncertain.
  • If your passport allows it, a trip to Corfu from Albania is a fantastic idea, believe me.

I also recommend reading an article on whether it’s worth going to Albania for a vacation.

In conclusion, in 2024, citizens of over 50 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, China, EU countries, and many Latin American countries, do not need a visa for different durations to enter Albania. What will happen in 2025, we will find out later. Currently, you can also obtain an online tourist visa for Albania for 30 euros directly on the government’s website. The process has been greatly simplified, and it’s not at all complicated anymore.

Wishing you an easy and swift border crossing!

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania

  • Flights at the best prices with best discounts

  • Car rental in Albania (cheaper – only by bus):
    • DiscoverCars – a major international resource

    • LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.

  • Hotels and apartments throughout the country:
    • Hotellook – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.

    • Booking – large online booking platform.

    • Agoda – even more accommodation options in Albania.

  • Tours, excursions and activities:
    • GetYourGuide – more than 550 tours

    • Viator – 920+ excursions and activities throughout the country

  • Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA

  • Internet and Calls:
    • Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5

    • DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.

  • Taxi and airport transfer: Intui.Travel