ALBANIA: FCO TRAVEL ADVICE

What follows is a summary of the advice to travellers in Albania, issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and regularly updated. The full account is given at: www.fco.gov.uk. Click on 'Travel Advice' and choose your country. It's also useful to look at the FCO's 'Country Profiles'.

This article could be read in conjunction with our other articles:

Albania: General Information     Albania: 5 Journeys     Albania: Roads & Distances

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Albania shares with the rest of Europe a threat from international terrorism. You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, and Albanians are very hospitable to visitors, but crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas. In February 2006, a bus was hijacked near Rreshen (on the Tirana – Kukes route) resulting in the death of a passenger and a police officer. Although there have been no recent reports of crime aimed at the expatriate community, you should be vigilant about personal security, dress modestly and not display expensive items such as watches and cameras. Central Tirana is generally trouble-free.

You should bear in mind the widespread ownership of firearms.

We advise against all travel to the north east Border areas (i.e. the districts of Kukes, Has and Tropoje) between Albania and Kosovo because of the very poor condition of the roads and the risk of unexploded ordnance placed near the border during the 1999 Kosovo crisis. The areas around Tirana, Durres and Saranda are relatively trouble-free, but you should avoid travelling at night.

Driving can be very hazardous. Roads are poor, especially (but not only) in rural areas. In winter, mountain roads are snowy and icy. During hot spells, the tarmac can melt and become slippery. Flash flooding is possible throughout the year. You should stay alert for large, unmarked potholes. Street lighting in urban areas is subject to power cuts. Elsewhere, except on the major inter-urban arterial routes, there is no street lighting, so night travel is best avoided. We suggest using four-wheel drive vehicles in Albania. There is no national recovery system, so cars should be self-sufficient, carrying minor repair equipment including jack, spare wheel, fan belts, wiper blades, local phrase book, first aid kit, water and overnight food when in remote areas.

Drivers with foreign plated vehicles draw particular scrutiny from the Road Traffic Police. You should adhere to road traffic law at all times as committing even minor offences may result in you being fined.

Albanian driving can often be aggressive and erratic. Minor traffic disputes can quickly escalate, especially as some motorists are likely to be armed. If you intend to drive you are strongly advised to avoid reacting to provocative behaviour by other road users. If you are involved in a traffic accident, even a minor one, you are required to wait until the police arrive. This will usually happen quickly in built-up areas.

You should expect queues at all border crossings, especially at weekends and during the summer months.

Albania does not have a blue flag operator, and there is no recognised similar system of assessment of beaches. However, several beaches along the Albanian coast are reported by the Albanian press to be polluted as a result of inadequate sewage disposal and treatment.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Homosexuality is not illegal but is not yet accepted as a cultural norm. We recommend discretion in relation to public displays of affection.

Penalties for drug related crimes are severe.

The Albanian authorities do not always inform the British Embassy when British nationals have been arrested. If you are detained, you may insist on your right to contact a British Consular Officer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

British citizens are permitted to enter Albania for 30 days without a visa. After that period, you must decide either to apply for a residence permit or leave the country. If staying in Albania for more than 30 days, you should present yourself to your local police station 10 days before the expiry of the initial 30 days permit of stay. The Albanian authorities require a UK police report, stating that you do not have a criminal record, to be submitted with the resident permit application form. A family seeking to take up residence must additionally provide notarised birth and marriage certificates to the local police authorities. British nationals working in Albania for charities, philanthropic and humanitarian organisations may be exempt from the residence permit fee.

British passport holders are obliged to pay a 10 Euro entry tax. The entry tax will be waived for holders of Albanian resident permits.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

HEALTH

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling to Albania, including evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Medical facilities (including those for accident and emergency use) are very poor, particularly outside Tirana. We do not recommend using the dental facilities.

There are high levels of Hepatitis in Albania. Rabies is also a matter of concern as there are large numbers of stray dogs, although the last reported case of the disease in Tirana was in 1978.

Cases of tick borne encephalitis have been reported in the north of the country. Vaccination is available but we advise that you keep all areas of your body covered when close to shrubs or bushes, and to inspect yourself regularly for ticks.

Drink only bottled water and UHT milk.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For information on health, check the Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

In March 2006, the Albanian authorities confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in domestic poultry in the village of Cuka near the Butrint Lagoon in south west Albania and in the village of Peze-Helmes, 14km from the capital Tirana. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

NATURAL DISASTERS

Albania lies in a seismically active zone, and earth tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but do occur.

GENERAL

If you are visiting Albania for more than a couple of weeks, you should register with, or make your presence known to, the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Tirana. On-line registration is available, this can be done by accessing the e-registration form in the Consular Information Section of the British Embassy's website (see below).

Major credit/debit cards are accepted in most banks and international hotels. You may prefer to use cash as in the past foreigners have been victims of credit card fraud. There are numerous ATM machines in Tirana and main towns, as well as bureaux de change where Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted for exchange. Although street money changers operate openly, they do so illegally. We therefore advise you to only use banks or established bureaux de change.

The British Embassy in Tirana does not have the facility to issue full passports. You are advised to check the validity of your passport and, if necessary, to renew it before travelling to Albania. You should ensure that you enter next of kin details in the back page of your passport. The Embassy can accept applications for new passports, which will be forwarded to the British Embassy in Rome for processing. You should allow 4 to 6 weeks for receipt of the new passport. If you lose a passport while in Albania, you must report this immediately to the police and obtain a police report. The British Embassy does have the facility to issue you with an emergency travel document.

CONTACT DETAILS

British Embassy, Rruga Skenderbeg 12, Tirana

Telephone: (355) 4 2 34973/4/5

Office Hours: Mon-Thur: 0830-1700; Fri: 0830-1430 (Local Time = GMT +1hr in winter, +2hr in summer)

Website: http://www.uk.al

BASIC INFORMATION

Full Country Name: The Republic of Albania

Country Profile: Albania

Area: 27,748 sq km (10,822 sq mi)

Population: (est) 3.5m

Capital city: Tirana (pop: 400,000)

People: Albanian 95%, Greeks 3% and others 2% (Vlachs, Roma, Egyptians, Montenegrins, Macedonians and Bulgarians (1989 est). Estimates of the minority populations vary widely between different interlocutors and there is a general absence of reliable statistics.

Languages: Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect) Greek, others.

Religion: Sunni Muslim (70%), Albanian Orthodox (20%), Roman Catholic (10%) (est)

Currency: Lek

Major political parties: Socialist Party, Democratic Party, New Democrat Party, Social Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Movement for Integration.

Government: Parliamentary Democracy

Head of State: President Alfred Moisiu

Prime Minister: Dr Sali Berisha (Democratic Party)

Foreign Minister: Besnik Mustafaj

Membership of international organisations: United Nations, South East Europe Cooperation Process, Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (COE), World Trade Organisation (WTO)

GEOGRAPHY

Albania lies on the eastern Adriatic coastline, bordered by Montenegro to the north, Serbia/ Kosovo to the north east, Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south and south-east.

HISTORY

Albania was the last of the Eastern European states to overthrow its communist regime, having been almost hermetically sealed from outside influences for over forty years from the 1940s until the death of Enver Hoxha in 1985. Impetus for change came from internal unrest and student demonstrations over the pace of reform. In 1990 the ban on religion was lifted and opposition parties were legalised.

In April 1991 the Communists won the first multi-party elections but, following a general strike by the newly independent trade unions, resigned in June 1991. The Communists were replaced by a coalition Government of National Stability, which in December 1991 collapsed when opposition ministers withdrew support. It was briefly replaced by an interim technocratic government.

POLITICS

In March 1992 the Democratic Party (DP) led by Sali Berisha won the parliamentary elections. Berisha became President and was re-elected in May 1996. The 1996 elections were criticised by international observers for violations of the electoral law and for Government-instigated intimidation. In January 1997, anti-government demonstrations erupted in the south of Albania following the collapse of a number of pyramid financial schemes. Riots spread across the country and insurgents gained control of many towns in the Southwest. Protesters called for the resignation of President Berisha and for the return of their money. Over 13,000 refugees fled to Italy during the crisis. The state armouries were attacked and an estimated 550,000 small arms looted: some were smuggled out of the country, but 120,000 had been collected and destroyed by 2001.

The Parliamentary general election that took place on 24 June 2001 was followed by a further 3 rounds in July. Though long and drawn out, these elections were peaceful and produced a decisive victory for the ruling Socialist Party. On 21 August Ilir Meta was nominated for another term as Prime Minister. A report on the elections by the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), published in October, drew attention to a number of flaws and instances of manipulation in the elections, but concluded that such shortcomings were not sufficient to have affected the overall result. Berisha has continued to dispute the result, and a further Democratic Party boycott of Parliament lasted until 29 January.

On 24 July 2002 President Alfred Moisiu, a consensus candidate, elected by parliament, was sworn in. On 25 July Pandeli Majko resigned as Prime Minister. A Presidential decree named Fatos Nano as his successor.

The latest Parliamentary elections were held on 3 July 2005. After a lengthy appeals process and re-runs in three of the 100 constituencies, the results were announced on 1 September (in total, there are 140 seats in Parliament, the additional 40 are allocated on a party basis). The leader of the Democratic Party, former President Dr Sali Berisha, was then invited to form a new government. In early November 2005, the OSCE/ODIHR released their final report on the elections and noted that although Albania had enjoyed its first peaceful transfer of power since the end of single party politics, there were still shortcomings to be addressed.

ECONOMY

GDP: US$ 7.5bn (2004)

GDP per head: US$ 2385 (2004)

Annual growth: 5.9% (2004)

Inflation: 2.9% (2004)

Major industries: Cement, Oil, Chromium, nickel, copper, hydroelectric power

Major trading partners: Italy, Greece, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia

Exchange rate: 134.25 Lk/US$ (February 2003)

Albania is one the poorest countries in Europe. Since 1990, the economy has struggled to recover from the distortions of the communist regime, the impact of the move to a market economy and the 1997 crisis. Energy is an increasing problem, with chronic low water levels in the reservoirs on which hydro-electric production depends. The maintenance of law and order remains a major problem in Albania. There are high levels of organised crime and corruption.

After the financial crisis, a legal framework for dealing with the pyramid schemes was put in place and the World Bank are helping to close the remaining pyramid schemes.

Privatisation is ongoing, but has been completed in small and medium sized enterprises. Growth is driven by service (46%) and agricultural sectors (24%). Only around 25% of Albania's GDP is generated by exports. Of those exports, around 85% go to the EU.

Albania is rich in mineral resources, with chrome, ferrochrome, iron, nickel and copper present in considerable quantities. There are also oil and gas reserves. Mineral extraction offers good prospects but requires sizeable foreign investment.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Albania now has good relations with all her neighbours, having restored in October 2001 relations with Belgrade broken off during the Kosovo crisis.

The Albanian government took a decisive stance in the 2001 crisis in Macedonia by strongly condemning the actions of ethnic Albanian rebels, whilst emphasising the need for all communities in Macedonia to enjoy equal rights. Albania has consistently supported the International Community's position on the Balkans, including in Kosovo.

In March 1997, following the civil unrest caused by the collapse of the pyramid schemes, the international community reacted to support efforts to restore order and stability. The UN authorised a deployment of an Italian-led Multinational Protection Force (6,000 strong) to help create a secure environment for the provision of international aid. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) set up a "presence" in Tirana to co-ordinate the international effort in Albania. The European Community Monitor Mission, now European Union Monitor Mission. (EUMM), also set up a number of monitoring teams. The Western European Union (WEU) established a Multinational Advisory Police Element (MAPE) to help restore a viable police force. MAPE was replaced by the European Commission Police Assistance Project in Albania (ECPAPA) which was in turn replaced by the Police Assistance Mission of the EC to Albania (PAMECA) in January 2003. The UK seconded a number of officers to MAPE and ECPAPA and also supports several bilateral projects aimed at building police capacity.

Albania has actively pursued closer relations with the EU. Albania has a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the EU. At the November 2000 Zagreb summit, participants agreed that a high level steering group should report on Albania's candidate status for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), the first step towards EU membership. The steering group recommended in June 2001 that, despite continuing concerns over the judiciary, corruption and organised crime, a negotiating mandate should be prepared for an SAA. The mandate was completed and negotiations were formally opened in January 2003. We look forward to Albania's future membership of the EU, and also NATO, once she meets the necessary requirements.

Albania is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and has formally applied to join NATO. In June 1998, a NATO cell was set up in Tirana to co-ordinate Partnership for Peace assistance. The UK also participates in a NATO programme to assist the reconstruction of the Albanian armed forces. Albania has contributed to international military operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some 480,000 Kosovar refugees entered Albania during the Kosovo crisis in March/April 1999. Albania was a staunch supporter of NATO military action and some 9,000 troops were deployed in Albania before crossing into Kosovo. A residual NATO force, around 1,000 strong, has remained in Albania. Although some elements in Albania support the concept of a 'Greater Albania', the present government plays down such aspirations.

RELATIONS WITH THE UK

UK Development Assistance

Since 1991, the EU has provided the bulk of foreign aid to Albania. The UK will contribute around £2.3 in bilateral aid this year, mainly in technical assistance aimed at building government capacity for policy formulation and for the development of effective services. In addition, this year the UK contributed around £6million through the EU's CARDS (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation) programme to Albania.

The Department for International Development's (DFID) agreed Country Strategy Paper for Albania can be viewed on the DfID website.

UK exports to Albania (mainly Specialised Industrial machinery and Medicinal and Pharmaceutical products) totalled £17.02m in 2002 (Jan-Nov). Imports (mainly power generating machinery and equipment) totalled £2.11m in 2002 (Jan – Nov). Business opportunities for foreign companies arise from the large untied inflow of funding from the International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank, IBRD, the UN Agencies and EBRD.