Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-albania

Change description : 2026-01-30 12:05:00: Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section). [Guidance and regulationCOVID-19Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office]

Showing diff : 2025-03-20 08:41:02.663112581 +00:00..2026-01-30 12:05:31.629141903 +00:00

Guidance

Living in Albania

InformationAdvice aboutfor movingBritish to,nationals living orin retiringAlbania, inincluding Albaniainformation on includinghealth, visas,education, working,benefits, healthcareresidence requirements and driving.more.

Getting

This helpguide withsets livingout inessential Albania

Helpinformation fromfor theBritish Albaniancitizens government

For any questions about moving to or living in Albania,Albania. youRead mayabout behow ableour toEmbassy getin helpTirana fromcan the:help.

TheYou UKshould governmentget anddefinitive information from the BritishAlbanian Embassyauthorities. inThe TiranaForeign, cannotCommonwealth give& personalisedDevelopment adviceOffice on(FCDO) movingis to,not livingliable orfor retiringany inaccuracies in Albania.this information.

Professional

Support helpfor inBritish Albania

Younationals abroad: A guide sets out how British nationals can alsostay getsafe abroad and how the FCDO can help fromif English-speakingyou professionalsdo inget Albania,into including:difficulty.

To stay up to date:

Help

Before fromyou the UK government

go

ReadSee theour travel advice for Albania tofor understandup-to-date theinformation riskson youentry mayrequirements, facelocal iflaws youand livecustoms, insafety orand visitemergencies.

Entry Albania.and residence requirements

This includesinformation theis latestfor informationpeople on:

Readthe ourUK. guidanceIt is based on moving,the livingUK orgovernment’s retiringunderstanding abroad.

Getof helpthe fromcurrent rules for the UKmost governmentcommon abroad,types includingof travel. The authorities in anAlbania emergency.

Lawsset and culturalenforce differences

Readentry aboutrules. lawsIf andyou’re culturalnot differencessure inhow safetythese andrequirements securityapply into you, contact the travelAlbanian adviceEmbassy forin Albaniathe UK. This includes:

  • penalties

    In fororder illegalto drugs

  • adviceenter forAlbania, LGBT+you travellers

Visas,must residencyhold anda citizenship

valid British passport. Make sure youthat meetyour thepassport entryor requirementsvalid travel document is valid for Albaniaat beforeleast 3 months after the date you travel.

Visaswill leave Albania and residencemust permits

Ashave abeen Britishissued national,within youlast can10 enteryears. AlbaniaBritish withoutpassport aholders visa.

Ifdo younot wantneed toa stayvisa longerfor thanvisits up to 90 days,days. If you mustwould applylike into advanceextend foryour astay long-stayin visaAlbania, oryou should apply for a residence permit fromthrough withinan Albaniaonline   application accessible on the government portal e-albania.

CheckUpon whichsubmission residenceof permitthe application, you needmay tobe livecontacted by a state police officer within 10 days if there are any outstanding documents you must submit in Albania. 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 canwill getbe anotified residenceby permite-mail to:

  • work
  • study
  • joinif familyyour 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 Albania

Forevery moresecond information,level read:bank in Albania.

Ifin youthe haveterritory anywhere problemshe orhas questionsestablished abouthis residencytemporary orresidence, visas,for contact:

person.

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

WithHolding this card youenables canregistration register on e-Albaniathe (in Albanian)e-Albania, givingplatform, youproviding access to athe rangeservices ofthat publicthe services,platform includingoffers somefor aimedforeign atcitizens.

Dual foreignnationality nationals.is accepted in Albania.

Permanent

Sponsoring residency

Family Members

YouBritish maynationals bewho ableare resident in Albania and wish their family members to applyjoin forthem permanentshould residencyseek inadvice Albaniafrom ifthe youMinistry haveof beenForeign residentAffairs inor Albaniathe forAlbanian atEmbassy leastwhere the 5family years.

Tomembers findcurrently outlive. ifThis you’remust eligiblebe anddone howprior to apply,travel. readThey guidanceshould onensure residentthat permitany applicationsvisa (inor Albanian)entry fromclearance therequirements Albanianare government.fully understood and that a visa, if required is obtained before arriving in Albania.

Citizenship

Visas and residency

AlbaniaCheck recognisesthe dualentry citizenshiprequirements for Albania.

When Thisapplying meansfor thatan youAlbanian dovisa notor havea toresidency givepermit, upyou (renounce)may be asked for your Britishpolice citizenshipcertificate tofrom becomethe anUK. AlbanianYou citizen.can apply for it by filing the online application form available at the ACRO Criminal Records Office website.

ToYou findcan outget ifthe you’reACRO eligiblePolice forcertificate Albanianlegalised citizenship:

Helpneed withfor visa,different residencykinds andof citizenshipresidence applications

permits.

Applying for Albanian citizenship

TheTo Britishapply Embassyfor inAlbanian Tiranacitizenship cannotplease helpcheck withthe Albanianinformation visa,at residencythe orMinistry of Interior.

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

For anyyour questionsAlbania citizenship application, you may need to order a birth, marriage or issues,death contact:

.

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

Passports and travel

ReadYou ourcan’t guidanceapply onfor moving,or livingrenew oryour retiringBritish abroadpassport from Albania.

Check the Albania travel advice. Thisfor coverspassport howvalidity to:requirements.

  • apply

    Albania foris not a BritishSchengen passportcountry, frommeaning abroad

  • travelmany urgentlynon-EU withoutnationals, yourincluding British passport

Dualnationals citizenscan travellingspend to90 days there without it counting towards the UK

wider 90-day rule.

WhenDifferent rules apply if you are travelling to theother UK,EU Britishand citizensSchengen mustcountries carryas a validresident Britishof passportAlbania.

Check oreach certificatecountry’s oftravel entitlementadvice page. Readfor guidanceinformation on dualentry citizenship.requirements.

Resident

Healthcare

It childrenis travellinghighly withoutrecommended ayou parenttake out comprehensive travel insurance, or legalan guardian

Albanianexpat childrenmedical agedinsurance 17plan and(for underlonger muststays) carryto aprovide lettercover offor authorityany ifmedical they’recosts, travellingincluding outmedical ofevacuation Albaniain withoutcase bothof serious illness or eitheraccident parentbefore oryou legaltravel guardian.to Albania. The letterEuropean ofHealth authorityInsurance isCard a(EHIC) notarialGHIC declaration,or issuedS1 throughform aare licensednot notaryvalid (inin Albanian).Albania.

ContactTravel theinsurance Albanianis Embassynot inintended theto UKcover forhealthcare morecosts information.

Healthcareif inyou Albania

live overseas.

ReadHMRC ourhas guidancea onhelpline moving,for livingNational orInsurance retiringenquiries abroadfrom non-UK residents. ThisHowever, coversthe howUK to:

  • plandoes yournot have a reciprocal healthcare
  • take medicineagreement abroad
with Albania.

Medical facilities in Albania doesare notpoor haveby UK standards, particularly outside Tirana. Though there has been a reciprocalgrowth healthin agreementthe number of private clinics and hospitals with themodern UK.

Healthfacilities. insurancePublic ishospitals compulsorydo innot Albaniacharge for emergency A&E visits. Otherwise, visitors who require medical treatment will be responsible for all citizenscosts and residents.most Makedoctors sureand youhospitals will accept payment in cash. The Embassy cannot give financial assistance for medical purposes.

State hospitals usually have appropriatea healthlow insurancestock toof coverdrugs anyor healthcaremay costs.suffer from lack of a certain medicine. You canare getable insuranceto frompurchase Albanianregistered anddrugs internationalin providers.pharmacies,  Oncebut youcosts haveare insurancecovered by the patient. For prescribed medicine you shouldwill getneed ato Healthsubmit Cardthe (inprescription Albanian).to the pharmacist.

If you haveare a resident permitin andemployment, a job, you are entitled to the same healthcarehealth benefits as an Albanian nationals.national. YouBe aware that you need to register at your local health centre. For more information, visit the Ministry of Health and Social Protection website (in Albanian)Albania. website.

ThereView area verylist fewof English-speakingmedical facilities in Albania. The vast majority of medical staff in state hospitals.

Tohospitals finddo outnot howspeak toor getunderstand medicalEnglish. treatment:

Healthhave servicesa providedsupply onof e-Albaniait (inor Albanian)are include:

  • anable e-prescriptionto service
  • healthobtain cardit applications

Workingwhen in Albania

ReadAlbania. ourCertain guidancemedicines onmay moving,not livingbe oravailable retiringin abroad.Albania This(including coversmajor workingbrands abroad,readily includingavailable documentsin the UK), and you may needbe prohibited from thetaking UKthem government.

Tointo workthe incountry. Albania,You you should applyconsult foryour aGP ‘uniquebefore permit’travelling (ato permitAlbania to stayfind andout workabout inany Albania),alternative usingmedication.

Read the e-albaniaguidance service.if you need to travel with medicines.

ForThe moreimport informationof onmedicines workis permitssubject andto thespecial rightlicense toissued workby inthe Albania:

Toimport applyprohibition foris anot job,applicable if you maybring needin tomedicines provide:intended for your own use.

Recognitionmedicines ofin qualifications

Albania.

IfFailure you want to workobserve inthe Albania,regulations youon mayimport needof tomedicines, getmedical youraids foreignand qualificationspsychotropic recognised.substances Tois dopunishable.

Education

Information thisabout contacteducation thein DirectorateAlbania ofcan Educationalbe Servicesfound aton the Centrewebsite forof Educationalthe ServicesMinistry (QSHA)of (inEducation Albanian)and Sport.

ReadEducation morestarts guidancein oneither thepre-schools recognitionor ofprimary academicschools. qualificationsChildren enrol in theprimary Westernschools Balkans.

Drivingat inthe Albania

Readage ourof guidance6 onand moving,it livinglasts orfor retiringnine abroad.years. ThisPrimary coverseducation howis to:

  • drivecompulsory abroadfor legally
  • takeall yourchildren UKaged vehicle6 abroad
  • getto driving15 licenceyears letters

Youand canis drivefree of charge.

Working in Albania

If foryou upare planning to 12move monthsto usingAlbania aand UKwork, oryou EUmay drivingneed licencea butwork it’spermit.

To betterapply tofor usea anjob, internationalyou drivingmay permitneed orto Albanianprovide drivinga licence.

ReadUK aboutcriminal roadrecords travelcheck, inknown Albania,as ina safetyDBS andcheck.

You securitycan inget theseparate travelAlbanian advicecriminal forrecords Albania.certificate Thisfrom includesthe informationjudicial onrecords drivingfrom inany Albania,Albania includingRegional drivingCourt licenceand rules.Prosecution.

TheYou Generalcan Directorateapply offor Roada andwork Transportpermit provideat informationthe (ine-albania Albanian)portal onby drivingchoosing inthe Albania,“Application includingfor howUnique to:Permit” service.

You docan notprovide needinformation about how to takeobtain a drivingright test to exchangework ain driving licence.Albania.

Disabled

Professional drivers

qualifications

You may beneed able to applyget foryour aprofessional Specialqualification Drivingrecognised Licenseif (Lejeyou Drejtimiwant eto Posacme)work whichin serves as a disabledprofession parkingthat permit.is Toregulated doin so,Albania.

Read see guidance onon: recognition gettingof aprofessional new Albanian driving licence (in Albanian)qualifications.

Studying in Albania

If you haveplan ato UKstudy Blue Badge and live in Albania, you must returnmeet itall tovisa therequirements originalbefore UKyou issuing authority.travel.

Tax

ReadContact ourthe guidancerelevant onhigher moving,education livingprovider orin retiringAlbania abroad.to Thischeck coverswhat tax,fees includingyou payingmay UKhave taxto and National Insurance.pay.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Albania so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief.

Information on taxation laws and procedures can be found through the website of the Albanian Tax Authorities.

Invoices and bills issued from public and& private bodies include tax costs. Self-employed persons should complete a periodic income self-declaration form in order to pay for health and& social insurance and income tax. More information can be found at the National Business Centre (in Albanian).

ReadYou guidanceshould fromget the General Directorate of Taxes on paying taxes in Albania, including income tax.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Albania. ToFind do this, find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Albania.

Pensions

Read guidance on:

Claiming

Readto ourlive guidanceabroad

  • tax on moving,your livingUK orincome retiringif abroad.you Thislive covers:

    Claiming

    Benefits

    If anyou Albanianhave retired and you live in Albania, you could claim your pension

    Contact from the AlbanianUK. SocialTo Securityfind Instituteout (inwhat Albanian)UK benefits you might be able to findget outwhile whetherabroad youand canhow to claim anthem, Albanianvisit pension.benefits if you’re abroad and moving and retiring abroad web pages.

    YouIf canyou readhave informationworked aboutand pensionsretired forin foreignersAlbania, inyou Albaniacould (inclaim Albanian)your benefits following local procedures. For more information on how to claim these benefits, check the website of the Albanian Social SecurityInsurance Institute website.

    Benefits

    Claiming- UKInternational benefits

    Relations
    .

    ReadIf ouryou guidancespend ontime moving,in livingboth orthe retiringUK abroad.and Thisanother coverscountry and are unsure about how tothis claimaffects your UK benefitspension, abroad,benefit includingand Childhealthcare Benefit.

    Claimingrights, Albanianalways benefits

    Youconsult maythe berelevant entitledUK toauthority. someIf Albaniayou benefits.

    Contacthave thereceived Albaniana Sociallife Securitycertificate Institutefrom (inthe Albanian)UK toPension findService, outit whetheris important that you canreply claimas benefitsquickly inas Albania.possible otherwise your benefit may be stopped.

    Driving licences and vehicles

    You can readdrive informationon abouta socialvalid securityUK foror foreignersEU indriving Albanialicence (inthough Albanian)an onInternational theDriving AlbanianPermit Socialis Securityrecommended. InstituteIf website.

    Buyingyou andare rentingtaking propertyyour incar, Albania

    Readyou ourmust guidancehave onvehicle moving,registration/ownership livingdocuments orand retiringa abroad.locally Thisvalid coversinsurance buyingpolicy. andSee rentingalso propertytaking abroad.a vehicle out of the UK.

    You docan notexchange needyour todriving belicence residentat inthe AlbaniaGeneral toDirectorate buyof propertyRoad orand landTransport unlessin the town where you arereside, buyingif 1000you squarehave meterseither oran moreapproved oftemporary agriculturalor land.permanent Inresidence suchin cases,Albania.

    In youorder canto buyapply for the landexchange, eitheryou by:will need the following:

    • establishingyour aoriginal companyUK driving licence card, translated and notarised in AlbaniaAlbania.
    • partneringlegalised withdriving alicense locallywith registeredan company

    ContactApostille anstamp English-speakingby lawyerthe inFCDO, AlbaniaUK. ifNotarisation you’reof consideringthe buyinglicense propertyby ora land.

    Votingpublic notary in Albania

    the UK elections

    Readis ourrequired guidancebefore onsubmitting moving,to livingThe orLegalisation retiringoffice.

  • notarised abroad.copy Thisof coversthe howAlbanian to:

      Residence Permit
    • votepayment inslip UKof electionsthe fromservice abroadfee
    • registerlocal asmedical anreport overseas(photo voterof the applicant attached)

    Albanian elections

    YouNo cannotadditional votedriving intest Albanianis electionsrequired unlessto youexchange holda Albaniandriving citizenship.licence.

    Studying

    Further indocumentation Albania

    Ifmay yoube planrequired. toMore studyinformation about driving licences in Albania,Albania youcan mustbe meetfound allon entrythe requirementsGeneral beforeDirectorate youof travel.

    ForRoad moreTransport information:Services.

    Children

    Readhold oura guidancevalid ondriving moving,licence. livingIf oryou retiringallow abroad.an Thisunderage coversdriver, movingor abroada person with children,no including:

    • gettinglicence permission to takedrive your childvehicle, abroad
    • claimingyou UKmay Childface Benefitcharges.

      If abroad

    • childyou’re maintenanceasked paymentsfor if a parentletter livesauthenticating, abroad

    Schoolscertifying andor education

    Thevalidating Ministryyour ofUK Educationdriver’s andlicence, Sportyou providesshould informationcontact aboutyour theUK schoolissuing systemoffice in(e.g. Albania.the DVLA).

    AllUK childrendriving agedlicences 6retained toby 15the mustAlbanian attendauthorities schoolare inreturned Albania.

    Forto morethe information,Driver readand theVehicle EuropeanLicensing Commission’sAgency guidance(DVLA) onin the AlbanianUK.

    See educationdriving systemabroad.

    Finance

    EducationBritish servicescitizens providedcan onopen e-Albaniaa (inbank Albanian)account includeat registrationsmost andbanks enrolmentoperating of children in schools (in Albanian).Albania.

    Childcare

    TheYou Ministrymust ofbe Educationpresent andwhen Sportapplying isto responsibleopen fora publicbank nurseries,account. kindergartensYou andcan pre-schools.be Localidentified municipalwith governmentsa runvalid them,British followingpassport. MinistryIt guidelines.    

    Theusually Tiranatakes municipal24hrs websitefor providesa informationnew aboutbank publicaccount kindergartensto (inbe Albanian).activated.

    ReadDetailed moreinformation aboutand earlylocal childhoodlaws educationcan andbe careobtained in Albania from the Europeanwebsite Commission.

    Births,of deaths,the marriagesBank andof civil partnerships

    Albania.

    Births

    IfAlbania youroffers childpotential isfor borninvestments. inWhen Albania,planning registerto themake birthan ininvestment the localwe municipalitywould unitrecommend foryou thedo areasome youprior livemarket in.

    research. The Tiranafollowing municipallinks websitemight providesbe informationof aboutinterest thewhen documentsplanning youto needinvest toin registerAlbania: aAlbanian birthInvestment (inDevelopment Albanian)Agency.

    Accommodation and buying a property

    ReadYou ourdo guidancenot onneed moving,to livingbe orresident retiringin abroad.Albania Thisto coversbuy howproperty to:or land.

    • register

      The theonly birthexception is when buying agricultural land with an area exceeding 1000 square meters. In such cases, you can acquire the UKland authoritiesby toeither getestablishing a UKcompany birthin certificate

    • applyAlbania foror yourpartnering child’swith firsta Britishlocally passport
    registered company.

    Deaths

    ReadYou ourshould guidanceseek onspecialised moving,legal livingadvice orwhen retiringpurchasing abroad.property Thisin covers:Albania.

    Read:

    Voting

    IfYou someonemay diesbe able to vote in Albania,some readUK guidanceelections. on:You can:

    Marriages

    Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

    Births

    ReadIf ouryour guidancechild onis moving,born livingin orAlbania, retiringyou abroad.can Thisregister coversthe howbirth towith getthe marriedUK orauthorities getin aaddition civilto partnershipregistering abroad.locally.

    SameIf sexyour marriageschild andhas civilBritish partnershipsnationality, areyou do not legallyneed recognisedto inregister Albania.the Forbirth informationwith aboutthe LGBT+UK rightsauthorities to apply for a British passport.

    Deaths

    If someone dies in Albania, read our guidance onon: - safetywhat andto securitydo inafter thesomeone traveldies adviceabroad - forBereavement in Albania.

    DivorceMarriage and separationcivil partnership

    ReadFind ourout guidancehow onyou moving,can livingget married or retiringget a civil partnership abroad.

    You Thismay coversalso howneed toNotarial getand adocument divorceservices orfor endUK anationals civilin partnership.Albania.

    Pets

    TheIf Ministryyou’re ofmoving Justiceto oversees divorce law in Albania butwith doesyour notpet, offerread anythe guidance on howtaking toyour getpet to a divorce.non  - EU country and ensure you comply with the regulations.

    ConsiderTo takingvisit legalother advicecountries fromwith anyour English-speakingpet, lawyercheck inthe Albania.

    Documentsrules for Britishthe peoplecountry inyou’re Albania

    Readtravelling ourto. guidanceContact onyour vet to get the travel documents foryour Britishpet peopleneeds.

    Emergency abroad.numbers

    Dial the emergency service number 112 Thisor covers: dial:

    • legalising126 andfor certifyingthe UKroad documentspolice
    • marriage127 andfor civilfirst partnership documentsaid
    • affirmations128 andfor affidavitsthe fire brigade
    • witnessing129 signaturesfor the state police

    Lawyers,Social translatorsethics and notariestraditions

    ToAlbania findis 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 English-speakingincreasingly lawyer,attractive translatordestination for tourists. It enjoys long hot summers and has stunning mountainous attractions.

    The 3 main religions are: Islam, Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. Albania enjoys a high degree of religious tolerance between the different communities. When visiting a church, avoid wearing miniskirts or notaryshort inpants. Albania,The readsame guidancerules onapply professionalwhen servicesvisiting ifa you’remosque abroad.but leave your shoes at the entrance.

    Pets

    Albania enforces a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drugs. If you wantare tocaught bringin yourpossession petof withany type of illegal narcotic, you towill Albania,receive readeither guidancea on:

    remember 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.

    Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently. Thiswhich includes information onon, bringingamongst familyother membersthings, backbringing tofamily themembers, UK, tax and access to services.

    Disclaimer

    WeThis provideinformation thisis informationprovided as a general guide only. and Foris definitivebased information,upon contactinformation provided to the Albanianembassy authorities.

    Readby ourthe consularrelevant informationlocal disclaimer.

  • Updatesauthorities and may be subject to thischange page

    Publishedat 14any Novembertime 2013
    Lastwith updatedlittle 30or Januaryno 2026 and href="#full-history">+the showBritish allEmbassy updates
    1. Rewrotebe guideliable tofor makeany itinaccuracies easierin tothis readinformation. andBritish understand.nationals Includeswishing newto obtain any further information aboutmust dualcontact citizensthe travellingrelevant local authority.

    Updates to thethis UKpage

    Published ('Passports14 andNovember travel'2013
    Last section).

    updated 20 March 2025 + show all updates

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    Update history

    2026-01-30 12:05
    Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section).

    2025-03-20 08:40
    This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary.

    2021-03-02 08:11
    Coronavirus section added with information on vaccines for UK nationals