Albania
Last update 01 September 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 1: Without special recommendations
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Republic of Albania
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Albania
Address: 12 Skenderbeg St., city Tirana
Telephone: +355 4 22 33 155; +355 4 22 32 906
Fax: +355 4 22 32272
E-mail: [email protected]
Voicemail telephone for information on consular services and for citizens' reports: +355 4 22 69 243
Out-of-hours hotline: +355 4 22 33 155; +355 4 22 32 906
Working hours: 08:00 – 15:00
Opening hours: 08:30 – 12:00
E-mail: Consulate.Tiranа@mfa.bg
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/albania
Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Sofia
Address: Sofia 1000, 20 Aksakov St., Floor 4
Telephone: +359 2 943 38 57
Fax: +359 2 943 30 69
E-mail: [email protected]
Emergency phone: +359894311493
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Albania:
Mr. Selim Hoxhaj, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Albania with a consular district covering the districts of Vlora, Gjirokastra and Korçë, based in the town of Vlorë
Office in the town of Vlorë, bul. ‘Çamëria’
Office in the city of Tirane, rr. ‘Medar Shtylla’, No 13, vila ‘Sofia’)
Е-mail: [email protected]
General information
Healthcare:
Medical services are at a relatively good level and are provided in public and private medical institutions.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
There is no need for special vaccinations when entering the country.
Customs requirements:
Local legislation allows duty-free import of personal belongings and goods as follows:
— 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, or a proportionate range of these products;
— 1 litre of distilled spirits or 2 litres of wine or liqueur or wine-based drinks.
— 10 litres of beer;
— 3 kg of coffee
The permitted quantity applies only to persons over 18 years of age.
When crossing the border, currency up to 1 million lek (approx. EUR 8,000) shall not be declared. In the event that the funds exceed the amounts indicated, the citizen must complete a customs declaration.
Customs authorities require an invoice or a receipt for goods and personal belongings purchased in Albania.
Road traffic:
The country's national road network is in relatively good condition.
Vignette stickers are not required in the Republic of Albania. A toll has been introduced for a single passage only on the Milot-Morina Highway as follows:
for cars — ALL 660; for motorcycles/tricycles — ALL 330; six-wheel buses with two axles — ALL 1490, trucks and buses with a height of 2.7 m — ALL 2140; heavy trucks with four axles — ALL 2970.
When entering the territory of the Republic of Albania with the vehicle, the border authorities shall be provided with the vehicle registration certificate (small coupon), a valid Green Card insurance, which must indicate the Republic of Albania and be valid for the duration of the stay in the country.
If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, a notarised power of attorney from the owner, translated into English, must be provided.
On the territory of the Republic of Albania, you must drive with your lights on all year round.
Transportation between the different settlements in the country is mainly by bus/microbus.
There are regular ferry services from the ports of Durres, Vlorë and Saranda to Italy and Greece.
Mother Teresa International Airport is located in Tirana.
Attention!
When driving on Albania’s road network, speed limits and existing rules should be strictly observed, as there is increased enforcement by law enforcement authorities and penalties range from fines to revocation of driving licence for up to 12 months.
In the event of an offence being detected, fines shall be paid on the spot to the traffic police officers against a duly issued document. Fines for improper parking are paid at post office branches or post terminals. It is common for pedestrians, cyclists and animals to improperly cross and travel on roads and highways, so drivers should drive with caution.
In the event of a road traffic accident resulting in serious injury or death, the driver is charged with manslaughter or manslaughter.
Practical advice:
Important phone numbers in the Republic of Albania:
Police - 129
Ambulance - 128
Fire safety - 127
The consumption of bottled water is recommended.
Controls have been stepped up for possession, transfer and trade in narcotics, which are sanctioned under local law.
If a violation is found on the part of the law enforcement authorities, no attempt shall be made to offer a bribe to the official — such action shall be punished extremely severely.
Under local law, persons who procure others into prostitution, persons who engage in prostitution and persons who use their services are subject to criminal and judicial prosecution.
Under local law, possession and carrying without a permit of a cold weapon (batons, knives and other means that can be used to inflict bodily harm or for self-defence, including hunting knives) is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to 3 years. If found in the vehicle, the law provides for imprisonment of 1 to 5 years.
In case of loss, theft or damage of personal documents, the citizen should immediately contact the local law enforcement authorities and the Consular Office with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana and inform about the case. If necessary, the Consular Office with the Embassy will issue him an Emergency Travel Document in order to return to Bulgaria unhindered.
Local currency:
Albanian lek (ALL). Information on the official exchange rate is published daily on the Bank of Albania's website https://www.bankofalbania.org/Markets/Official_exchange_rate/
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens may enter, pass through and stay on the territory of the Republic of Albania without a visa for up to 90 calendar days within 180 days with valid passports or identity cards. Identity documents must expire at least three months after the date of entry.
The citizen entering the country should have a minimum of EUR 50 (fifty) per day for the entire period of stay.
Persons under 18 years of age travel with a valid international passport. If they are not accompanied by their parents, a notarized declaration (translated into English) issued in the name of the accompanying person must also be presented to the border authorities.
In the case of an extended stay, documents allowing long-term residence should be issued in accordance with local law. The Ministry of Interior of Albania offers an electronic service ‘Application for residence permit’. It enables foreign nationals legally residing in Albanian territory to apply for a residence permit through the Albanian government's e-Albania electronic portal.
After fulfilling the conditions and submitting the application documentation , the foreign national is notified to appear before the relevant regional migration authority for the territory in which he/she resides.
To apply for a first residence permit in Albania, the appropriate form must be completed, depending on the reason for stay: work; family reunification; education; other reasons supported by documentation; international protection.
An application to the relevant regional migration authority for a residence permit shall be submitted within 30 days of entry into the territory of the Republic of Albania, ensuring that: the applicant meets the legal requirements for the residence permit applied for; has all the necessary documents from the country of origin translated and legalized.
Information in English on applying for a residence permit in Albania can be found here.
Competitive service
Bulgarian identity documents:
The Consular Office with the Embassy in Tirana has been equipped with the biometric data equipment and therefore accepts applications for passports, identity cards, Emergency Travel Documents. No documents for the issuance of a driving licence will be accepted.
Certifications and legalizations:
What can the Consular Department do for you?
— certification of the date, content and signature of a private document;
— certification of the accuracy of a copy of the original;
— certification of the signature of the translator;
— wills.
The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana does not have in-house translators from Albanian into Bulgarian and vice versa. The signatures of sworn translators who are designated by order of the head of the diplomatic mission may be certified. They have the relevant qualifications and legal capacity. Their names, addresses and telephone numbers are available at the Consular Office with the Embassy. No translation shall be certified which has not been made by one of the sworn translators.
Documents issued in the country are certified by an Apostille at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania.