Albania: Various travel information
Formalities, visas
There is no visa requirement for Germans, Austrians and Swiss to enter Albania for up to one month.
An identity card or passport is required to enter Albania.
For longer stays, a visa must be applied for in the consular department of the embassy. Since December 15, 2010, Albanians have been able to enter Germany without a visa.
It is highly recommended that you take out travel health insurance that is valid in Albania.
Visa department of the Embassy of Albania
Friedrichstrasse 231
10969 Berlin
Tel.: 0049- (0) 30 – 25 93 04 0
Email: kanzlei@botschaft-albanien.de
Consulate
Honorary Consulate
Spessartring 24
63071 Offenbach
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 69 – 85703037
Issuing visas in Austria and Switzerland
See under Representations of Albania in Austria and Representations of Albania in Switzerland.
Foreign
currency import and export Foreign currencies can be imported into Albania without any restrictions. From US $ 10,000, the amount must be declared.
Import of goods
The following goods can be imported duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250g tobacco
- 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine
- 250 ml eau de toilette, 50 g perfume
The importation of weapons, ammunition and narcotics is strictly prohibited.
Export of goods The export of antiques, old art and handicrafts, precious metals and works of art or similar. is prohibited or permitted only with official approval.
Souvenirs
Between 1972 and 1984, 173,371 small and large bunkers were built by the then dictator Enver Hodscha (1908-1985) to protect the country against external enemies. Many of them have been preserved to this day and are not used at all, or some for storing agricultural products, as waste bins or toilets. Some are also used as beach bars. A popular souvenir are bunker-shaped marble ashtrays that can be bought all over the country.
In addition, you can find high-quality folk textiles, kilims and woodwork in Albania.
Departure fee
The departure fee is 10 euros, which must be paid in suitable bills.
In addition, a border fee of 5 US dollars is required for entry and exit.
How to get to Albania
Air connections The international airport of Tirana, Tirana-Rinas (TIA), is served almost daily by Austrian Airlines from Vienna, Swiss Air from Zurich and Lufthansa from Frankfurt and Munich. The following airlines also fly to Tirana: Malev, Tarom, Olympic, Turkish Airlines, Albania Airlines and Adria Air.
Ship
There are regular ferry connections from the Italian cities of Trieste, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Otranto to Durrës and Vlora. Likewise from Koper (Slovenia) and some Greek ports. Several times a day there is a ferry from Corfu to Saranda, some of which transports vehicles.
Rail
You cannot enter Albania by rail as the only international route from Shkodra to Podgorica is not open to passenger traffic.
Bus
There are bus connections from Istanbul, Sofia and Athens to Tirana.
Travel in the country
Railway
The route network is 447 km long and single-track. The route connects Tirana and Shkodra, Vlora, Fier, Ballsh and Podgorec.
Bus
In Albania you usually travel by bus. The main routes are operated from Tirana.
Roads
There are around 18,000 km of roads, but only around 2,900 km of them are paved. Most of the roads are in poor condition and not only used by cars and buses. You have to reckon with horse-drawn carts, ox-carts and free-range animals.
Rental cars
You can get rental cars in Tirana from internationally known companies.
Ferry connections
There is a regular passenger ferry between Durrës and Vlora.
Traffic information
Maximum speeds
In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits marked by signs must also be strictly observed.
- Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 40 km/h.
- Country roads: there is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads.
Special regulations
In Albania a toll fee is required. Insurance must be paid per day of stay. The green insurance card is also mandatory. Vehicles with international registration are often checked.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Albania is:
| AL |
Tourist office
National Agency of Albania
Rr.Abdi Toptani, No. 4 Al- 1010
Tirana, Albania
Tel: 00355- (0) 4 – 27 37 78
Email: info@albaniantourism.com
Albania: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Albania embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Albania in Germany
The building of the Embassy of Albania is located in a newly built five-storey functional building on Friedrichstrasse – at the corner of Hedemannstrasse – roughly in the middle between the Hallesches Tor underground station on the U2 and U6 underground lines and the Kochstrasse station on the U6. The embassy is located in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district, not too far from the almost world-famous “Checkpoint Charly”.
Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Berlin
Friedrichstrasse 231
10969 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 25 93 04 0
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 25 93 18 90
Email: kanzlei@botschaft-albanien.de
Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Albania
Goethestrasse 16
82110 Germering
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 80 07 64 8
German representations in Albania
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana
Rruga Skènderbeu 8
Tirana
Tel: 00355 – (0) 4 – 27 45 05
Fax: 00355 – (0) 4 – 23 34 97
Email: info@tirana.diplo.de
Web: www.tirana.diplo.de
Austrian representations in Albania
Austrian Embassy in Tirana
Rruga Frederik Shiroka 3
Tirana
Tel: 00355 – (0) 4 – 23 31 44
Fax: 00355 – (0) 4 – 23 31 40
Email: tirana-ob@bmaa.gv.at
Representations of Albania in Austria
Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Vienna
At the long Lüssen 1
1190 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 3 28 86 56
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 3 28 86 58
Swiss representations in Albania
Swiss Embassy in Tirana
Rruga e Elbasanit 81
Tirana
Tel: 00355 – (0) 4 – 223 48 88
00355 – (0) 4 – 237 53 15
Fax: 00355 – (0) 4 – 223 48 89
Email: tir.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/tirana
Representations of Albania in Switzerland
Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Muri
Pourtalèsstrasse 45A
3074 Muri
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 952 60 10
Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 952 60 12
Email: emalb.ch@bluewin.ch
Web: www.mfa.gov.al
Consulate of the Republic of Albania
Wehntalerstrasse 381
8050 Zurich
Tel: 0041 – (0) 55 – 292 20 00
Fax: 0041 – (0) 55 – 282 25 52
Email: edi.ruegg@bluewin.ch
