Albania

Recommended Vaccinations For Albania

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

Hepatitis A Vaccine

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

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

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.

Measles

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

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

There is general hospitality towards tourists in Albania. Nevertheless, travellers are advised to take necessary precautions to stay safe and to avoid petty crime and theft. Always be alert in your surroundings. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not accept drinks or food from strangers, and never leave your drinks out of your sight. Carry identification with you at all times. Do not take photos of military personnel or installations.

Travellers should note that Albania has strict laws on drug possession.

Road travel can be unsafe due to aggressive driving, poor road conditions, weather concerns, and power outages impacting traffic lights. Avoid road travel at night, especially due to the risk of power outages and subsequent reduced visibility. Albania has one of the highest death rates from road accidents in Europe. Avoid using public transportation as it may be unreliable and unsafe.

Travellers should exercise caution when taking public transportation (bus or rail) due to lower safety standards and road conditions. The use of registered taxis instead of public transportation is recommended. Taxis only accept cash payment.

Travellers should avoid unmarked and unfrequented areas, particularly in regions bordering Kosovo as landmines may remain.

Due to Albania’s location in an active seismic zone, small earthquakes are not uncommon.

Although it is safe to swim at most beaches, there are reports of improper sewage disposal affecting beaches, making some waters unsafe for swimming.

LGBTI travellers are advised that although same-sex relations are not illegal in Albania, there is a lack of social tolerance. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Albania.

Extreme Violence

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.

Political Unrest

Travellers should avoid political demonstrations and large public gatherings as some have historically turned violent.

Areas To Avoid

Travellers should reconsider their need to travel to Lazarat.

Exercise caution in remote regions where security is poor, gang violence is more common, and travellers are at a higher risk of carjacking attacks. Carjacking with the use of small explosives has been reported.

Avoid areas bordering Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro as the security situation may be unstable and where gang activity is likely to occur.