{"metadata":{"generated":{"timestamp":1710942516,"date":"2024-03-20 09:48:36"}},"data":{"country-iso":"AL","advisory-state":0,"has-advisory-warning":0,"has-regional-advisory":0,"has-content":1,"update-metadata":"Editorial change","eng":{"name":"Albania","url-slug":"albania","geo-group":"Europe","flag":null,"friendly-date":"March 13, 2024 13:59 EDT","advisory-text":"Exercise normal security precautions","recent-updates":"Health \u2013 editorial update","advisories":"
Take normal security precautions<\/a> in Albania<\/p><\/div> <\/p>","security":" Crimes of opportunity and petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occur. Thieves could target foreigners, particularly in crowded public areas such as:<\/p> While travelling:<\/p> Residential break-ins occur. Burglars may target rental accommodations or houses and apartments owned by foreigners.<\/p> Car theft and break-ins occur. Rental and luxury vehicles are a target of choice.<\/p> Organized crime-related violence occurs. Criminals may use firearms. In some instances, they have used improvised explosive devices.<\/p> While violent incidents don’t typically target foreigners or tourists, there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.<\/p> Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.<\/p> Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. When using debit or credit cards:<\/p> Cybercrime also occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.<\/p> Overseas fraud<\/a><\/p> Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances.<\/p> There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.<\/p> Targets could include:<\/p> Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant during:<\/p> Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks.<\/p> Albania declared its landmine-free status in 2009. However, some areas remain clearly identified as dangerous zones or are surrounded by visible tape, especially along Albania’s northeastern border with Kosovo.<\/p> If you plan on visiting or hiking in these areas:<\/p> Demonstrations take place from time to time.<\/p> Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.<\/p> Mass gatherings (large-scale events)<\/a><\/p> Sports events sometimes lead to rowdy behaviour and violent incidents.<\/p> Be vigilant if you attend soccer matches and sports rallies.<\/p> Women travelling alone in some rural areas may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.<\/p> If you are a victim of sexual assault:<\/p> Advice for women travellers<\/a><\/p> Coastal waters can be dangerous.<\/p> In the fall and winter months, waves can be unpredictable, breaking further than expected and causing strong undertows.<\/p> If you are planning to go boating:<\/p> Water safety abroad<\/a><\/p> Mountain activities, such as hiking, can be dangerous, especially if unprepared. Trails are not always marked and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.<\/p> If you intend to go hiking or climbing:<\/p> Power outages occur regularly, including in Tirana. They may affect the provision of essential services such as heating and water supply.<\/p> Feral and stray dogs are common throughout the country.<\/p> Don’t approach or feed them as they could be aggressive.<\/p> Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Major roads are passable, but secondary roads lack maintenance.<\/p> Driving conditions may be hazardous during winter, particularly on mountainous roads in northern and southeastern Albania. Heavy rains and landslides can hamper overland travel. Roads, including major routes, may become impassable. Power outages can also affect street lighting and traffic signals. Low-speed farm equipment, horse-drawn carts and wandering livestock are also common hazards.<\/p> Drivers are aggressive and can be reckless. They don’t always respect traffic laws.<\/p> If you plan on driving in Albania:<\/p> Buses, minibuses and trains operate between most major cities, but are unreliable. Safety standards are generally poor and petty crime is common.<\/p> There are ferries connecting Albania with Italy and Greece. Weather conditions and strong winds may lead to cancellations or delays.<\/p> Official taxis are generally safe.<\/p> We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.<\/p> Information about foreign domestic airlines<\/a><\/p>","entry-exit":" Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.<\/p> We have obtained the information on this page from the Albanian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.<\/p> Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada<\/a>.<\/p> Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.<\/p> Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.<\/p> Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave from Albania.<\/span><\/p> Different entry rules may apply.<\/p> Official travel<\/a><\/p> While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.<\/p> Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.<\/p> Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period You may apply for certain types of visas through the online visa portal.<\/p> The Albanian government may consider children born to an Albanian parent to be Albanian citizens even if they were born in Canada and have a Canadian passport.<\/p> Children under the age of 18 are only allowed to leave Albania with both parents or with the consent of both parents. Upon exiting Albania, the absent parent must provide a statement of parental consent to travel, notarized by Albanian authorities.<\/p> If your children will be travelling to Albania alone or with one parent, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Canada before departure to ensure that they meet entry and exit requirements.<\/p> Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever <\/a>(vaccines section).<\/p>","health":" This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.<\/p> Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div> Be sure that your routine vaccinations<\/a>, as per your province or territory<\/a>, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.<\/p>\n Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. <\/p> Yellow fever<\/a> <\/span>is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.<\/p>\n Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.<\/p>\n Risk<\/strong><\/p>\n Country Entry Requirement*<\/strong><\/p>\n Recommendation<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n About Yellow Fever<\/a><\/p>\n Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre<\/a><\/p>\n * It is important to note that country entry requirements<\/a> may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office<\/a> of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.<\/p><\/details> There is a risk of hepatitis A<\/a> in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Practise safe food and water precautions<\/a> and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present. <\/p><\/details> Hepatitis B<\/a> is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus. Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B<\/a> infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.<\/p><\/details> Measles<\/a> is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.<\/p>\n Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.<\/p>\n Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.<\/p><\/details> Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) <\/a><\/span>is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally. <\/span><\/p>\n Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry\/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19. <\/span><\/p><\/details> The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza<\/a> (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot<\/a> at least 2 weeks before travelling. <\/p>\n The flu occurs worldwide. <\/p>\n The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.<\/p>\n The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.<\/p><\/details> In this destination, rabies<\/a> may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. <\/p>\n If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. <\/p>\n Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. <\/p><\/details> Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.<\/p>\n <\/p> Travellers' diarrhea<\/a> is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.<\/p>\n Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.<\/p>\n The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.<\/p><\/details> Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:<\/p>\n To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention<\/a> page.<\/p>\n Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.<\/p> Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever<\/a> is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin. In some cases, it can be fatal. It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock. There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.<\/p><\/details> Some infections, such as rabies<\/a> and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.<\/p>\n Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.<\/p>\n Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.<\/p>\n <\/p> Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette<\/a>, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu<\/a> and other illnesses by:<\/p>\n Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)<\/a>, HIV<\/a>, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority<\/a> pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine. <\/p> Good health care is limited in availability. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.<\/p> Access to medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and specialists is limited. Government hospitals often lack basic drugs and equipment and have poor hygiene standards.<\/p> Ambulance services are very limited. In case of illness or injury, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than waiting for an ambulance.<\/p> Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.<\/p> Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.<\/p> Travel health and safety<\/a><\/p> The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.<\/p>\n Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a <\/span>travel health kit<\/a>, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.<\/p>","laws-culture":" You must abide by local laws.<\/p> Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad<\/a>.<\/p> Canada and Albania are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Albania to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Albania authorities.<\/p> This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.<\/p> Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences and heavy fines.<\/p> Drugs, alcohol and travel<\/a><\/p> Authorities may request to see your ID at any time. You must also present a passport upon check-in at a hotel or to rent a car.<\/p> Photography of military installations and critical infrastructure is regulated.<\/p> Request permission from local authorities before taking photographs of such installations.<\/p> Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Albania.<\/p> If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Albania, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry\/exit requirements<\/a>.<\/p> Travellers with dual citizenship<\/a><\/p> The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Albania.<\/p> If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Albania, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Albanian court.<\/p> If you are in this situation:<\/p> If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.<\/p> Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.<\/p> Albanian law doesn’t criminalize sexual acts or relationships between persons of the same sex.<\/p> However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.<\/p> Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics<\/a><\/p> You must carry an international driving permit.<\/p> The legal alcohol limit is 0.05 percent.<\/p> Police have taken drastic measures to decrease the number of accidents. They strictly enforced:<\/p> Respect the rules of the road to avoid heavy fines and confiscation of your driver’s licence.<\/p> If you are involved in a road accident, even a minor one, wait for the police to arrive.<\/p> International Driving Permit<\/a><\/p> The currency of Albania is the lek (ALL).<\/p> Credit cards are accepted in major cities. Cash is required for small purchases and for purchases over 1000 lek. Carry cash in rural areas.<\/p> You must make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if you have more than €10,000, or the equivalent in other currencies. The sum includes:<\/p> Cash declarations<\/a> - Customs of Albania<\/p>","disasters-climate":" Heavy rains, particularly during winter, can cause flooding and landslides including in Tirana. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.<\/p> Bulletin on natural hazards<\/a> - Institute of Geosciences (in Albanian)<\/p> Albania is located in an active seismic zone.<\/p> Earthquakes occur frequently and may disrupt communications, particularly the mobile telephone network.<\/p> Familiarize yourself with earthquake security measures in public and private buildings.<\/p> If you’re in or around an affected area:<\/p> Earthquakes - What to Do?<\/a><\/p> Forest fires are common during the summer. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.<\/p> In case of a significant fire:<\/p>Crime<\/h3>
Petty crime<\/h4>
Residential break-ins<\/h4>
Vehicles<\/h4>
Violent crime<\/h4>
Fraud<\/h3>
Credit card and ATM fraud<\/h4>
use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business<\/li>Cybercrime<\/h4>
Spiked food and drinks<\/h3>
Terrorism<\/h3>
Landmines and unexploded ordnance<\/h3>
Demonstrations<\/h3>
Soccer matches and sports events<\/h3>
Women’s safety<\/h3>
Water activities<\/h3>
Swimming<\/h4>
Recreational boating<\/h4>
Mountain activities<\/h3>
Power outages<\/h3>
Feral and stray dogs<\/h3>
Road safety<\/h3>
Public transportation<\/h3>
Ferries<\/h4>
Taxis<\/h4>
Air travel<\/h3>
Passport<\/h3>
Regular Canadian passport<\/h4>
Passport for official travel<\/h4>
Passport with “X” gender identifier<\/h4>
Other travel documents<\/h4>
Useful links<\/h4>
Visas<\/h3>
Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Student visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period<\/p>Useful links<\/h4>
Children and travel<\/h3>
Useful links<\/h4>
Yellow fever<\/h3>
Relevant Travel Health Notices<\/h3>
Routine vaccines<\/h3>\n
Pre-travel vaccines and medications<\/h3>\n
Yellow Fever - Country Entry Requirements <\/summary>
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Hepatitis A<\/summary>
Hepatitis B<\/summary>
Measles <\/summary>
COVID-19<\/summary>
Influenza<\/summary>
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Rabies <\/summary>
Safe food and water precautions<\/h3>\n
\n
Travellers' diarrhea<\/summary>
Insect bite prevention<\/h3>\n
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Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever<\/summary>
Animal precautions<\/h3>\n
Person-to-person infections<\/h3>\n
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Medical services and facilities<\/h3>
Keep in Mind...<\/h3>\n
Transfer to a Canadian prison<\/h3>
Drugs<\/h3>
Identification<\/h3>
Photography<\/h3>
Dual citizenship<\/h3>
International Child Abduction<\/h3>
Useful links<\/h4>
2SLGBTQI+ travellers<\/h3>
Driving<\/h3>
Money<\/h3>
Flooding and landslides<\/h3>
Earthquakes<\/h3>
Wildfires<\/h3>