Albania

Recommended Vaccinations For Albania

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Albania.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling in areas where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities).

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Albania

There are no recommendations for Albania at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Albania

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis B in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring CCHF in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with CCHF. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent CCHF.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

There is a risk of TBE in all areas of Albania. The transmission season varies, but ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Albania

Personal Safety

Albania is considered generally safe for most travellers, though caution is advised. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and theft from vehicles occurs, particularly in crowded urban areas, markets, public transport, and popular tourist destinations. Violent crime incidents occasionally occur but most involve internal disputes over criminal, business or political interests, typically manifested through occasional shootings and small explosions between rival groups. Police maintain a visible presence in Tirana and major cities, though response capacity can be limited in rural areas. Credit card fraud and ATM skimming are reported. Travellers should keep payment cards in view during transactions and use secure, indoor ATMs. Demonstrations and political gatherings can occur without warning and should be avoided. Most demonstrations are peaceful, but they can turn violent. Road conditions are often poor outside urban areas, and night driving carries increased risks due to unlit roads and livestock. Albania is seismically active, and earthquakes occur periodically, though serious ones are infrequent.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks in Albania cannot be ruled out. Attacks could occur indiscriminately in places visited by foreigners. Relations between the majority Muslim population and other ethnic groups are generally good, and expressions of extremist or anti-western views are very rare.

Political Unrest

Political demonstrations have been held in central Tirana with some reported incidents of violence. Demonstrations can cause traffic diversions and other disruption, and could happen elsewhere outside the capital city. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. You should avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. In October 2024, political protests escalated into clashes between opposition supporters and riot police, who used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds near government buildings.

Areas To Avoid

Unexploded landmines remain in some remote areas around hill towns on the northern border with Kosovo. Take care when hiking, follow warning signs, avoid walking on uncultivated land, and stay on marked paths. In northern Albania, severe weather from December to February may cause flooding. Heavy snowfall in mountainous areas can lead to disruption to transport and services. The Albanian coastline is quieter in winter, with many tourist facilities closed. Wildfires are common from April to October due to dry and hot weather. These fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. You should avoid affected areas and exercise caution when visiting or driving through countryside. Air pollution can be significant in Tirana, especially in winter. Power outages occur regularly, including in Tirana, and may affect the provision of essential services such as heating, water supply and street lighting. Coastal waters can be dangerous, with waves that can be unpredictable in fall and winter months, breaking further than expected and causing strong undertows. A small number of beaches are polluted due to inadequate sewage disposal and treatment.