Health & Safety

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.

Risk	Assessment	Note
Crime	Low	Normal big city risk in Tirana
Road Traffic	High	Chaotic driving style, potholes, animals
Natural Hazards	Medium	Earthquakes (seismically active), mountain weather
Stray Dogs	Medium	Do not feed, do not provoke, keep distance
Wild Animals (Mountains)	Low	Bears and wolves in the Alps, avoid humans

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