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TRAVEL REPORT
Albania

1. RECENT UPDATES

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.

The information on H1N1 has been moved to Section 7.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Albania

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Heavy rain and melting snow caused severe flooding in the Drini River Delta region in northern Albania in early January. The villages of Dajc and Obot were evacuated. Canadians residing in or travelling to the affected areas should exercise caution, monitor local news, and follow the advice of local authorities.

Exercise normal security precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. You are required to carry identification at all times. Carry a photocopy of your passport’s identification page at all times.

Use caution in areas bordering Macedonia, as security is very poor.

Northeastern border with Kosovo, district of Tropojë and city of Bajram Curri

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the northeastern border area with Kosovo. When visiting hill towns in this region, travellers (particularly hikers) should exercise caution and heed warning signs about unexploded landmines and ordnance from the Kosovo war of 1999. Demining operations are ongoing.

You are also advised against non-essential travel to the district of Tropojë and the city of Bajram Curri, where police assistance and protection is limited. A combination of poverty and poor law enforcement can be a problem in the city of Kukës.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Crime

Public security is usually good, particularly in Tirana. Petty crime such as pick-pocketing, mugging, and bag snatching occurs, particularly on public transportation. Travelers should not walk alone after dark, in either urban centres or remote areas and should not show signs of affluence.

Women in particular should exercise caution when travelling alone. Avoid secluded areas, parks, local bars, and restaurants in remote areas, especially after dark. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely.

Exercise caution in the northern districts of Has, Kukës and Tropojë. Criminal gangs operate along roads in remote areas, especially in the northern areas and those bordering Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia. Economic hardship and easy availability of firearms increase the risk of violent incidents, carjackings, and acts of looting. However, these do not typically affect tourists and travellers.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations should be avoided, as they may escalate and turn violent with little or no warning.

General Safety Information

Carry identification and present yourself as Canadian to local authorities at all times. The Albanian government considers any person born in Albania of Albanian parents to be an Albanian citizen. This policy could limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services to Canadians who also have Albanian citizenship.

Frequent power cuts occur throughout Albania. Canadians are advised to make arrangements for their well-being during outages and verify the schedule of power cuts with local authorities.

Tourist facilities are not well developed, and many goods and services are not available.

In Tirana, dial 129 for police. Police assistance and emergency services are not consistent with Canadian standards.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Albanian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Albanian Embassy and its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Albania. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days within a 180-day period)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days within a 180-day period)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days within a 180-day period)

If Canadians wish to stay longer, they should apply for a "Resident Permit/Leje Qendrimi" and Work Permit/Leje Pune if they intend to work in Albania. The long-form birth certificate and an RCMP police report are required and should be legalized by the Embassy of Albania in Ottawa. For further details, please contact the Consulate of Canada in Albania. Canadian citizens planning to work in Albania or bringing their family are encouraged to contact in advance the company or the lawyer of the company for whom they intend to work, in order to present the proper legalized Canadian documentation required for a legal stay.

If a Canadian is intends to marry an Albanian, the Albanian partner should provide the list of documentation required to get married in Albania, which should include the long-form birth certificate and the In-Lieu Certificate of Non Impediment. Documents must be legalized by the Embassy of Albania in Ottawa. For further details, please contact the Consulate of Canada in Albania.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Albania - TIRANA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Rr: Deshmoret e 4 Shkurtit Pallati i Ri mbrapa Akademise se Arteve Kati II, Tirana, Albania
Tel.: 355 (4) 225 7274 or 225 7275
Fax: 355 (4) 225 7273
E-Mail: canadalb@canada.gov.al

The Embassy of Canada in Rome, Italy, has consular responsibility for Albania. The address is as follows:

Italy - ROME, Embassy of Canada
Address: Via Zara 30, Rome 00198, Italy
Tel.: 39 (06) 85 444 2911 or 39 (06) 85 444 1
Fax: 39 (06) 85 444 2912
E-Mail: rome.citizenservices@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Italy.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, contact the Embassy of Canada in Rome and follow the instructions. You may also call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 001-613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

It is best to avoid government hospitals as they often lack basic drugs and equipment, and have poor hygiene standards. Bring your own medical supplies, including a first aid kit and prescription medicine. Dental facilities are available, but standards of dental care may differ from those in Canada. Contact the Consulate of Canada in Tirana to obtain a list of good-quality medical/dental clinics.

Evacuation, which is very expensive, may be necessary in the event of serious illness or injury.

Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases your chance of illness. Do not drink tap water, including ice made from tap water. Travellers should drink only bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 flu virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Albania are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Albania to request to be transferred to Canada to serve the remainder of his sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Albanian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

The penalty for all drug offences is strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Canadians with dual Canadian-Albanian nationality may be subject to compulsory military service and other aspects of Albanian law. Holding a dual nationality may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should check their status at the Embassy of the Republic of Albania.

It is illegal to photograph military installations and military personnel. As a result, it is not recommended to photograph military installations or personnel as charges may be laid or cameras confiscated.

While homosexuality is not illegal in Albania, it is not widely accepted.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Travel by road is dangerous and difficult. Road signage and safety are poor. If possible, use local drivers, taxi service or public transport. Approved, privately owned vehicles, with drivers, can be hired for travel throughout the country. Pre-negotiate fares and schedules.Buses and minibuses operate between most major cities, but can be unreliable and uncomfortable.

Major roads are passable, but secondary roads are often in very poor condition. Use a four-wheel-drive vehicle, even in urban centres. The presence of erratic and aggressive drivers also poses risks. Travel outside the capital should be carefully planned and undertaken with the assistance of a reputable guide/interpreter or driver. In winter, travellers may encounter dangerous snow and ice conditions on the mountainous roads in northern and south eastern Albania. State Police are have taken drastic measures to decrease the number of accidents. Respect speed limits and the rules of the road in order to avoid heavy fines and the suspension of your driving licence.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The economy is primarily cash-based. The currency is the lek (ALL). Traveller's cheques and credit cards are not widely accepted. Some international hotels in Tirana accept American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard. Traveller's cheques and eurocheques can be exchanged at the National Bank of Albania in Tirana. The euro is used as a benchmark for the currency. U.S. dollars and Swiss francs are also accepted. ABMs are available in major cities.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Albania is located in an active seismic zone and experiences an average of one earthquake (3.2 to 4.0 on the Richter scale) per year. Civil protection agency response time and capabilities are not up to Canadian or Western European standards.

Summers in the Adriatic-Mediterranean can be very hot.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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