Practical A–Z

EU Citizens & Swiss

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. You only need a valid passport or ID card. Albania is not an EU member and not in the Schengen Area — there is a real border control with an entry stamp. The passport/ID must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the travel date.

Important: Albania is an EU candidate country (accession negotiations since 2022), but accession will take several more years. Until then: an ID card is sufficient, but a passport is recommended (some airlines and border officials insist on it).

Customs

Standard allowances for travelers: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1l of spirits, 2l of wine. Foreign currency up to €10,000 can be brought in without declaration. Antique items, archaeological finds, and protected plants/animals may not be exported.

Health

No special vaccinations are required for Albania. Standard vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A) are recommended. For longer stays or travel in rural areas: consider hepatitis B and rabies (there are many stray dogs in Albania). A travel health insurance is strongly recommended — the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is NOT valid in Albania, as it is not an EU country.

Medical Care

In Tirana, there are good private clinics (e.g., American Hospital, Hygeia Hospital) with English-speaking staff. Outside the capital, medical care is basic — serious illnesses should be treated in Tirana. Pharmacies (Farmaci) are everywhere and well-stocked. Many medications are available without prescription and significantly cheaper than in Germany.

Drinking Water

Tap water is not drinkable everywhere in Albania. In Tirana and larger cities, the quality is usually fine, but bottled water is recommended. In rural areas and on the coast: definitely drink bottled water. Large 5-liter canisters in supermarkets: €0.50–1. In the mountains: spring water from flowing streams is often drinkable (ask locally).

Safety

Albania is safer than its reputation. For tourists, the crime rate is very low — violent crime against travelers is extremely rare. The biggest risks are road traffic (chaotic) and pickpocketing in Tirana (normal big city risk, no more). In the countryside, you are as safe as anywhere — the hospitality of Albanians protects you.

Emergency number: 112 (police, fire, rescue) — works nationwide.

Money & Currency

The Albanian currency is the Lek (ALL). The exchange rate is relatively stable: 1€ ≈ 100 Lek (easy to calculate!). ATMs (bankomat) are available in all cities and tourist areas — they dispense Lek. Common banknotes: 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 Lek. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in upscale restaurants and hotels, but cash is king — in small restaurants, guesthouses, and markets you need Lek in cash.

Euros are often accepted on the coast and in tourist areas, but at a worse exchange rate. The cheapest option: withdraw Lek from an ATM. Note: In Theth, Valbona, and other remote areas there are NO ATMs — bring enough cash!

Internet & Mobile

Albania is not included in EU roaming — your German mobile contract does NOT apply here without additional costs! Options:

• Local SIM card: The easiest and cheapest option. Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or in any mobile store (Vodafone AL, ONE Albania). €5–10 for 10–30 GB of data (1 month). Passport or ID required.
• eSIM: Providers like Airalo or Holafly offer eSIMs for Albania (from €5 for 1 GB).
• Wi-Fi: Almost everywhere free in hotels, cafes, and restaurants. The quality is good in cities, fluctuating in remote areas.

Language

Albanian (Shqip) does not belong to any other language family — it is a unique branch of the Indo-European languages. The language is difficult for travelers to learn, but a few words open hearts:

• Përshëndetje — Hello (formal)
• Ç'kemi — Hello (informal, like "Hey")
• Faleminderit — Thank you
• Ju lutem — Please
• Po / Jo — Yes / No (NOTE: Nodding = No, Shaking head = Yes!)
• Sa kushton? — How much does it cost?
• Gëzuar! — Cheers!
• Mirupafshim — Goodbye

The younger generation often speaks good English, especially in Tirana and on the coast. Older Albanians frequently speak Italian (learned through Italian television during isolation — the only connection to the outside world!). German is rarely spoken.