Living in Albania
Advice for British nationals living in Albania, including information on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Albania. Read about how our Embassy in Tirana can 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 how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
To stay up to date:
- sign up for email alerts
- follow the British Embassy Albania on Facebook, X, and Instagram
- read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad
Before you go
See our travel advice for Albania for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Entry and residence requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘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 enforce 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 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.
Sponsoring Family Members
British nationals who are resident in Albania and wish their family members to join them should seek advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Albanian Embassy 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 police 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 need a 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 passport validity requirements.
Albania is not a Schengen country, meaning many 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 advice 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) GHIC 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, particularly outside Tirana. Though there has been a 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 employment, you are entitled to the same health benefits as an Albanian national. Be aware that you need to register at your local health centre. For more information, visit the Ministry of Health and Social Protection Albania website.
View a list of medical facilities in Albania. The vast majority of medical staff in state hospitals do not speak or understand English. Private hospitals will have English-speaking staff.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription 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.
Seek advice prior on what documents you need to have in order to be able to bring medicines in Albania.
Failure to observe the regulations on import of medicines, medical aids and psychotropic substances is punishable.
Education
Information about education in Albania can be found on the website of the Ministry of Education and Sport.
Education starts in either pre-schools or primary schools. Children enrol in primary schools at the age of 6 and it lasts for nine years. Primary education is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 15 years and is free of charge.
Working in Albania
If you are planning to move to Albania and work, you may need a work permit.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK criminal records check, known as a DBS check.
You can get separate Albanian criminal records certificate from the judicial records from any Albania Regional Court and Prosecution.
You can apply for a work permit at the e-albania portal by choosing the “Application for Unique Permit” service.
View the Ministry of Interior website for more information.
If you are in the UK, the Albanian Embassy in London can provide information about how to obtain a right to work in Albania.
Professional qualifications
You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Albania.
Read guidance on: recognition of professional qualifications
Studying in Albania
If you plan to study in Albania, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Albania to check what fees you may have to 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 & private bodies include tax costs. Self-employed persons should complete a periodic income self-declaration form in order to pay for health & social insurance and income tax. More information can be found at the National Business Centre.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Albania. Find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Albania.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying income tax in Albania
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
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 them, 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, check the website of the Albanian Social Insurance Institute - International Relations.
If you spend time in both the UK and another 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 Service, it is important that you reply as quickly as possible otherwise your benefit may be stopped.
Driving licences and vehicles
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 General 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 UK driving licence card, translated and notarised in Albania.
- legalised driving license with an Apostille stamp by the FCDO, UK. Notarisation of the license by a public notary in the UK is required before submitting to The Legalisation office.
- notarised copy of the Albanian Residence Permit
- payment slip of the service fee
- local medical report (photo of the applicant attached)
No additional driving test is required to exchange a 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
British citizens can open a bank account at most banks operating in Albania.
You must be present when applying to open a bank account. You can be identified with 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.
Accommodation and buying a property
You do not need to be resident in Albania to buy property or land.
The only exception is when buying agricultural land with an area exceeding 1000 square meters. In such cases, you can acquire the land by either establishing a company in Albania or partnering with a locally registered company.
You should seek specialised legal advice when purchasing property in Albania.
Read:
- our guidance on buying a property abroad
- list of English-speaking lawyers in Albania
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
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 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 short pants. The same rules apply when visiting a mosque but leave your shoes at the entrance.
Albania enforces a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drugs. If you are caught in possession of any type of illegal narcotic, 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 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 which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.
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.
Updates to this page
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This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary.
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Coronavirus section added with information on vaccines for UK nationals
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New link for entry and residence requirements in Albania
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Fixed broken links
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First published.