This guide sets out essential information for British nationalscitizens residingmoving to or living in Albania,Albania. includingRead adviceabout onhow health,our education,Embassy benefits,in residenceTirana requirementscan help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Albanian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British nationals abroad: A guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and more.how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

WeTo arestay unableup to providedate:

• sign anyup guidancefor email alerts
• follow the British Embassy Albania on Facebook, X, and Instagram
• read general lifestyleguidance enquirieson apartmoving fromor theretiring abroad

Before you go

See our travel advice for Albania for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and linkscustoms, listedsafety below.and Seeemergencies.

Entry ourand residence requirements

This information is for people travelling on whata consulatesfull can‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel. The authorities in Albania set and cannotenforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Albanian Embassy in the UK.

In order to enter Albania, you must hold a valid British passport. Make sure that your passport or valid travel document is valid for at least 3 months after the date you will leave Albania and must have been issued within last 10 years. British passport holders do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days. If you would like to extend your stay in Albania, you should apply for a residence permit through an online application accessible on the government portal e-albania.

Upon submission of the application, you may be contacted by a state police officer within 10 days if there are any outstanding documents you must submit in support of your application. You should also be advised by the officer on how to successfully re-submit your application within the next 30 days.

You will be notified by e-mail if your application has been accepted for review. You are then expected to pay the respective fee for the service within 24 hours of receipt of the notification e-mail, in every second level bank in Albania.

You are initially provided with a temporary residence permit valid for 2 months. You will be notified by e-mail when your application is approved and thereby advised to attend in person the local authority responsible for the border and migration in the territory where he has established his temporary residence, for further procedures. The residence permit is issued within 30 working days from the day you attend the migration office in person.

As of 9 September 2021, British nationals.citizens who have a valid residence permit in the Republic of Albania can apply to be issued with a biometric card for foreign citizens. This card looks very similar to the National ID Card issued to Albanian citizens.

Holding this card enables registration on the e-Albania platform, providing access to the services that the platform offers for foreign citizens.

Dual nationality is accepted in Albania.

CoronavirusSponsoring Family Members

YouBritish nationals who are resident in Albania and wish their family members to join them should followseek advice from the adviceMinistry of Foreign Affairs or the Albanian governmentEmbassy where the family members currently live. This must be done prior to travel. They should ensure that any visa or entry clearance requirements are fully understood and that a visa, if required is obtained before arriving in Albania.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Albania.

When applying for an Albanian visa or a residency permit, you may be asked for your localpolice authority.certificate from the UK. You can apply for it by filing the online application form available at the ACRO Criminal Records Office website.

You can get the ACRO Police certificate legalised by applying for that service from the Legalisation Office. The British Embassy cannot provide legalisation services.

Read the Ministry of Interior information about which documents you need for different kinds of residence permits.

Applying for Albanian citizenship

To apply for Albanian citizenship please check the information at the Ministry of Interior.

You can make a request for citizenship at the government portal e-Albania.

For your Albania citizenship application, you may need to order a birth, marriage or death certificate from the UK. You may also readneed oura UK criminal records certificate.

You may need to have these, and other UK documents officially translated. We have provided a List of translators in Albania.

You may also have to get your documents legalised (apostilled).

Passports and travel

You can’t apply for or renew your British passport from Albania.

Check the Albania travel advice for ourpassport latestvalidity guidance.requirements.

ForAlbania informationis onnot vaccinesa abroad,Schengen seecountry, ourmeaning COVID-19many non-EU nationals, including British nationals can spend 90 days there without it counting towards the wider 90-day rule.

Different rules apply if you are travelling to other EU and Schengen countries as a resident of Albania.

Check each country’s travel guidanceadvice page. for information on entry requirements.

Healthcare

It is highly recommended you take out comprehensive travel insurance, or an expat medical insurance plan (for longer stays) to provide cover for any medical costs, including medical evacuation in case of serious illness or accident before you travel to Albania. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) isGHIC or S1 form are not valid in Albania.

Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

HMRC has a helpline for National Insurance enquiries from non-UK residents. However, the UK does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Albania.

Medical facilities in Albania are poor by UK standards.standards, particularly outside Tirana. Though there has been a recent growth in the number of private clinics and hospitals with modern facilities. Public hospitals do not charge for emergency A&E visits. Otherwise, visitors who require medical treatment will be responsible for all costs and most doctors and hospitals will accept payment in cash. The Embassy cannot give financial assistance for medical purposes.

State hospitals usually have a low stock of drugs or may suffer from lack of a certain medicine. You are able to purchase registered drugs in pharmacies, but costs are covered by the patient. For prescribed medicine you will need to submit the prescription to the pharmacist.

If you are a resident in employmentemployment, you are entitled to the same health benefits as an Albanian national. PleaseBe be aware that you need to register at your local health centre. For more informationinformation, please visit the Ministry of Health and Social Protection Albania websitewebsite.

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Guidance

Medicine

If you are on bringinga medicationprescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it or are able to obtain it when in Albania. Certain medicines may not be available in Albania (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Albania to find out about any alternative medication.

Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.

The import of medicines is subject to special license issued by the National Agency of Drugs and Medical Devices at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Albania. This import prohibition is not applicable if you bring in medicines intended for your own use.

PleaseSeek readadvice carefullyprior abouton what documents you need to have in order to be able to bring medicines and other goods in Albania on the website of the General Directorate of Customs.Albania.

Failure to observe the regulations on import of medicines, medical aids and psychotropic substances is punishable.

Entry and residence requirementsEducation

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Benefits

If you have retired and you live in Albania, you could claim your pension from the UK. To find out what UK benefits you might be able to get while abroad and how to claim themthem, please visit benefits if you’re abroad and moving and retiring abroad web pages.

If you have worked and retired in Albania, you could claim your benefits following local procedures. For more information on how to claim these benefits, please check the website of the Albanian Social Insurance Institute - International Relations.

If you spend time in both the UK and another country,country and are unsure about how this affects your UK pension, benefit and healthcare rights, always consult the relevant UK authority. If you have received a life certificate from the UK Pension ServiceService, it is important that you reply as quickly as possible otherwise your benefit may be stopped.

Driving licences and vehicles

See driving abroad.

You can drive on a valid UK or EU driving licence though an International Driving Permit is recommended. If you are taking your car, you must have vehicle registration/ownership documents and a locally valid insurance policy. See also taking a vehicle out of the UK.

You can exchange your driving licence at the RegionalGeneral Directorate of Road and Transport in the town where you reside, if you have either an approved temporary or permanent residence in Albania.

In order to apply for the exchange, you will need the following:

• your original foreignUK driving licence (youcard, willtranslated beand askednotarised toin submitAlbania.
• legalised driving license with an Apostille stamp by the FCDO, UK. Notarisation of the license by a translatedpublic andnotary notarizedin copy)the UK is required before submitting to The Legalisation office.
• notarizednotarised copy of the Albanian Residence Permit
• payment slip (serviceof fee)the service fee
• local medical certificatereport (photo of the applicant attached)

WeNo understand that no additional driving test is carriedrequired outto forexchange thea purpose of exchanging the driving licence.

Further documentation may be required. More information about driving licences in Albania can be found on the General Directorate of Road Transport Services.

Driving in Albania can be chaotic. Driving is on the right, unlike the UK. Drivers must be 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. If you allow an underage driver, or a person with no licence to drive your vehicle, you may face charges.

If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).

UK driving licences retained by the Albanian authorities are returned to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK.

See driving abroad.

Finance

ForeignBritish nationalscitizens can open a bank account at most banks operating in Albania.

TheYou person must be present when applying to open a bank account. AYou Britishcan nationalbe is identified bywith presenting a valid British passport. It usually takes 24hrs for a new bank account to be activated.

Detailed information and local laws can be obtained from the website of the Bank of Albania.

Albania offers potential for investments. When planning to make an investment we would recommend you do some prior market research. The following links might be of interest when planning to invest in Albania: Albanian Investment Development Agency.

Information

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Voting

BritishYou citizensmay livingbe abroadable canto vote in some UK electionselections. –You can:

• check if you willare needable to vote
• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Albania, you can register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally.

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

Deaths

If someone dies in Albania, read our guidance on: - what to do after someone dies abroad - Bereavement in Albania

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need Notarial and document services for UK nationals in Albania.

Pets

If you’re moving to Albania with your pet, read the guidance on taking your pet to a non - EU country and ensure you comply with the regulations.

To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.

Emergency numbers

Dial the emergency service number 112 or dial:

• 126 for the road police
• 127 for first aid
• 128 for the fire brigade
• 129 for the state police

Social ethics and traditions

Albania is a welcoming country. The people are friendly and treat visitors with warm hospitality. English is increasingly spoken, especially among the younger generation.

Albania is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for tourists. It enjoys long hot summers and has stunning mountainous attractions.

The three3 main religions are: Islam, Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. Albania enjoys a high degree of religious tolerance between the different communities. When visiting a church, pleaseavoid dowearing not wear miniskirts or short pants. The same rules apply when visiting a mosque,mosque but leave your shoes at the entrance.

Albania enforces a zerozero-tolerance tolerance policy towards illegal drugs. If you are caught in possession of any type of illegal narcoticnarcotic, you will receive either a prison sentence or a hefty fine. Any incident involving alcohol or excessive drinking may invalidate your insurance. Drunk and disorderly behaviour in a public place will be viewed negatively and may lead to your arrest/detention.

Alcohol and drugs can make you less vigilant, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you drink, know your limit - remember that drinks served in bars are often larger than those in the UK and the drink driving limit is lower than the UK.

Returning to the UK

Before leaving, make sure you inform the nearest police station. Your employer can inform local police on your behalf as well. Please

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Disclaimer

This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.