COVID-19 Albania Travel Advice

• Albania has confirmed more than 130 859 cases of positive COVID-19 cases.
• Current airlines operating in Albania can be found here https://www.tirana-airport.com/c/63/airlines
• Starting from April 12, 2021 direct flight schedule with United Kingdom has resumed
• Preschools and kindergartens reopened.
• All cultural events and other large public gatherings in Albania are currently not possible.
• Professional sporting events have resumed, with no spectators allowed to attend.
• Malls and shops are open with strict social distancing guidelines in place.
• Hairdressers and dentists are opened with strict social distancing guidelines in place.
• Restaurants and cafes are open.
• All indoor activity centres are currently open.
• Beaches are open.
• Outdoor exercise is permitted
• Libraries and museums are open.
• Public transportation has resumed.
• All maritime and air borders have reopened
• The government is pushing with the massive vaccination so that we can prepare in time for the upcoming tourist season.
• The Albanian Government has approved 4 vaccines to be used in the general population.
• Currently there is a massive vaccination taking place in Albania and 4 vaccines administered such as: Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca-Oxford, Sputnik V and Sinovac.
• So far 800 000 vaccinations have been administered as of June 2021.
• 100 000 thousand Albanian citizens have received two doses.
• Albania has currently 730 000 vaccine doses available in the country.
• The bi-weekly incidence is halved for every 100 000 inhabitants.
• Hospitalizations are decreasing in frequency
• 419 246 vaccine doses have been administered to citizens above 60 years of age.
• Until know Albania has secured 1.6 million doses for 800 000 citizens through its agreement with the COVAX program, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Sinovac.

Covid-19 Testing in Albania

• PCR and/or antigen tests are available for all foreign citizens visiting Albania
• Covid negative test results are available within 24 hours
• According to the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection, there are seven private labs authorized to perform SARS-CoV-2 testing for administrative issues:
  • American Hospital Laboratory (Tel: +355 4 222 5640)
  • Biocheck Diagnostic (Tel: +355 4 242 7025)
  • Genius Lab (Cell: +355 69 303 3026)
  • German Hospital International (Cell: +355 67 200 4282)
  • Intermedica (Tel: +355 4 220 0600)
  • Noval Diagnostic (Cell: +355 68 804 2045)
  • SALUS Lab (Cell: +355 68 205 3180)
• The average cost for testing is: (PCR = 8,500 ALL ) – (Antigen = 4,000 ALL ). 

Albania Entry and Exit Requirements for COVID-19

• Foreign citizens are permitted to enter Albania. There is no restriction in place.

• Commercial flights have resumed since June 25, 2020. For more information, please check with Tirana Airport https://www.tirana-airport.com/c/63/airlines
• No PCR or Serology test is required upon entrance to Albania
• Albanian’s borders are opened for travel, but further restriction might be in place in the neighbouring countries.

The Albanian Government has issued the following protocol to all foreigners who will visit Albania in 2021.

For all citizens travelling through the Albanian territory by land:

• Since June 1, 2020 Albania has opened its borders so all travellers are free to visit the country.
• No quarantine rules apply except in special cases according to local health authority notifications
• No specific documents are required to enter the Albanian territory in all land border crossings.
• In all land border crossing temperature check is required and must not exceed 37.5 grade. In case of a higher temperature the passenger is not allowed to travel to Albania.
• All travellers have to be informed about Albania’s neighbouring countries entry regulation in case of transit.
• All travellers should consult with their respective Embassies in their home country in case of transiting Albania to one of Albanian’s neighbouring countries.

For all citizens travelling to Albania by sea:

They should consult the Albanian official representatives in the country from which they depart, or they can contact the Albanian Embassies in one of these countries.

For all citizens travelling by air:

For those citizens travelling from a third country by air and using as a transit one of the International Airports, they will not be allowed to exit the Airport Transit Area and they will not be allowed to travel to the next destination if that destination is a country within the Schengen zone. Because this way of travelling is not considered transit but entrance to Schengen area.

All those citizens who are allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Albania need to respect the following rules:

• Everyone is required to wear masks when entering the terminal of Mother Theresa Airport.
• Children under the age of 6 and other persons with underlying medical conditions do not need to wear a mask so they are exempt of this rule.
• Masks need to be changed every 4 hours or when they are damaged since they lose their effectiveness.
• Travellers are expected to reduce the touching of the face and wash or disinfect their hands frequently.
• In case the passenger shows signs of covid-19 symptoms he/she will not be allowed to enter Albania.
• Mother Theresa Airport has designated areas where you can find masks and disinfectants.
• All passengers entering the Mother Theresa Airport have to pass through a disinfecting tunnel in the terminal.
• After checking in all passengers have to sign a declaration regarding their health condition in relation to COVID-19 before boarding the plane.
• All passengers either entering or exiting Mother Theresa Airport have to undergo a mandatory temperature check which should not exceed 37.5 degrees otherwise they will not be allowed to travel.
• During the stay in the Airport all passengers are expected to maintain physical distance of 1.5 meters from one another at all times.

While in Albania

• There is a curfew in place in the Albanian territory starting from 22.00 until 06.00. Movements are allowed only in case of emergency or for health reasons.
  • Bars, restaurants and night clubs are closed from 22.00 until 6.00 except delivery services.
  • Gatherings of above 10 people are not allowed outdoors.
  • Wearing masks is obligatory in public areas and institutions but not in bars and restaurants.

We are updating continually this list. 

Travelling to Albania during COVID_19

Current infection numbers are low according to the Albanian Ministry of Health and the government is doing its best to insure everyone get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The Albanian government’s current target is to vaccinate 1 million (out of 3 millions) Albanians with the first dose by June – July 2021.

Travel is not restricted so foreigners wishing to travel to Albania are welcomed. The tourist summer season has started so the government is welcoming everyone who is thinking to spend their summer vacations to Albania.

Everyone who is currently working in Tourism in Albania has been offered COVID_19 Vaccine by the government in order to create a safer environment for the upcoming tourist season.

FAQ

Can I travel to Albania from UK now?

From 17 May, the ‘Stay in the UK’ regulation will cease and international travel will be allowed to restart, governed by a new traffic light system.

As the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world, according to FCO advice people should not be travelling to amber or red countries which includes Albania.

Albania is included in the Amber list of countries and territories. Check the list here

Passengers who have visited or transited through an amber country will be required to fill in the passenger locator form, provide a valid notification of a negative test result prior to travel, quarantine at home for 10 days, and take a test on day 2 and day 8 after arrival.

Sondor Travel understands that the COVID19 pandemic has changed the travel industry. This means it will offer help to all the individuals and ensure safe touring with us.

We all know the healing power of nature and the outdoors –. And we all know that engaging in our favorite recreation activity – boating, hiking, climbing, motorcycling, camping, fishing, biking, or whatever – does wonders for our health and well-being. However, we have to be smart about getting outside in this public health emergency.

We offer outdoor tours which are great for the ones who want to travel during a pandemic.