Do I Need a Visa for Albania?
Albania is one of Southeast Europe’s most exciting emerging destinations — a country of dramatic mountain scenery, a stunning Adriatic and Ionian coastline, UNESCO-listed historic cities, and a welcoming culture. Whether you are planning a summer beach holiday, an adventure in the Albanian Alps, or a visit to the ancient city of Gjirokaster, understanding Albania’s visa requirements is your first step.
The good news for most travellers is that Albania has a generous and pragmatic visa policy, closely aligned with the Schengen Area. Citizens of well over 60 countries can enter visa-free, and many more can qualify through substitute visa provisions or obtain an eVisa online.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need based on your nationality, how long you can stay, and what special provisions may apply to your situation.
| Key Legal Basis Albania’s visa policy is governed by Law No. 79/2021 ‘On foreigners’ and Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 858 (29 December 2021) ‘On the definition of criteria, procedures and documentation for entry, stay and treatment of foreigners in the Republic of Albania’. The policy closely mirrors the Schengen Area’s Annex II visa-free list. |
| Passport Validity Requirement All visitors to Albania — regardless of nationality or visa status — must hold a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond their intended stay. Citizens of certain countries may use a national ID card instead of a passport (indicated throughout this guide with the notation ‘ID card accepted’). |
Part 1: The Special Case — United States Citizens (1 Year)
Albania offers a uniquely generous arrangement for American passport holders. US citizens are the only nationality in the world granted a full one-year visa-free stay in Albania on a single entry.
This means a US citizen can live in Albania for up to 12 consecutive months without any visa at all — an arrangement that has made Albania particularly popular with American digital nomads and long-term travellers.
| Important Reset Rule for US Citizens Before exceeding the 1-year visa-free period, US citizens must depart Albania and remain outside the country for at least 90 days before re-entering to begin a new visa-free period. You cannot simply do a border run for a day — the 90-day absence is mandatory. |
Part 2: Countries with 90-Day Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of the following countries may enter Albania without any visa for up to 90 days. Albania’s visa-free policy is broadly aligned with the Schengen Area, and most countries that enjoy Schengen visa-free access also enjoy it for Albania.
All European Union Member States — ID Card Accepted
Citizens of all 27 EU member states may enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days and are entitled to use a national ID card in lieu of a passport. This is particularly convenient for EU citizens who may not travel with their passport at all times.
EU member states covered: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Non-EU Countries — 90 Days Visa-Free
The following non-EU countries also enjoy 90-day visa-free access to Albania. Important notes apply to many of them — see the footnotes below the table:
| Country | ID Card? | Max Stay | Key Notes |
| Andorra | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 apply — Schengen liberalisation; D-visa needed for stays over 90 days in 180 days |
| Argentina | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies — D-visa for stays over 90/180 days |
| Armenia | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies — one of 6 additional countries beyond Schengen list |
| Australia | No | 90 days | |
| Azerbaijan | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies — one of 6 additional countries beyond Schengen list |
| Bahamas | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation; D-visa for extended stays |
| Barbados | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation; D-visa for extended stays |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Brazil | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Brunei | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Canada | No | 90 days | |
| Chile | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| China | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies — one of 6 additional countries beyond Schengen list |
| Colombia | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Costa Rica | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| El Salvador | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Georgia | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Guatemala | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Honduras | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Hong Kong SAR | Yes (permanent ID card) | 90 days | Permanent identity card accepted in lieu of passport |
| Iceland | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | EFTA member |
| Israel | No | 90 days | |
| Japan | No | 90 days | |
| Kazakhstan | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | Note 5 — 90 days within any 365-day period (not 180-day period) |
| Kosovo | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Kuwait | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies — one of 6 additional countries beyond Schengen list |
| Liechtenstein | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | EFTA member |
| Macao SAR | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Malaysia | No | 90 days | |
| Mauritius | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Mexico | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Moldova | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Monaco | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Montenegro | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| New Zealand | No | 90 days | |
| Nicaragua | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| North Macedonia | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Norway | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | EFTA member |
| Panama | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Paraguay | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Peru | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies |
| San Marino | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Serbia | Yes (biometric national ID) | 90 days | Biometric ID card required (not all ID cards accepted) |
| Seychelles | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Singapore | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| South Korea | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Switzerland | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | EFTA member |
| Taiwan | No | 90 days | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Turkey | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies — one of 6 additional countries beyond Schengen list |
| Ukraine | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies |
| United Arab Emirates | No | 90 days | Note 3 applies |
| United Kingdom | Yes (national ID or Irish passport card) | 90 days | |
| Uruguay | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
| Vatican City | Yes (national ID) | 90 days | |
| Venezuela | No | 90 days | Notes 3 & 4 — Schengen liberalisation |
Footnote Explanations
Several important conditions affect the visa-free stay for certain nationalities:
- Note 3 — Type ‘D’ Visa for Extended Stays: Citizens of countries marked with Note 3 who wish to stay in Albania for more than 90 days within any 180-day period are required to obtain a Type ‘D’ long-stay visa before arrival. The initial 90-day visa-free period is straightforward, but planning a longer stay requires advance preparation.
- Note 4 — Schengen Visa Liberalisation: These countries gained visa-free access to Albania as part of ‘visa liberalisation’ linked to the Schengen Area’s own liberalisation agreements. The 90-day maximum is measured within any 180-day rolling period.
- Note 5 — Kazakhstan (365-day period): Kazakh citizens are entitled to 90 visa-free days, but this is calculated within any 365-day period (one year), rather than the standard 180-day rolling window used for most other nationalities. This provides more flexibility for Kazakh visitors.
- ID Card — Serbia: Serbian citizens may use their national ID card, but specifically it must be a biometric national ID card. Older non-biometric Serbian ID cards are not accepted.
- ID Card — Hong Kong: Hong Kong SAR residents may use their permanent identity card in lieu of a passport.
Part 3: The ‘Substitute Visa’ — Who Else Can Enter Without a Visa?
Even if your country is not on the visa-free list above, you may still be able to enter Albania without a visa if you hold certain valid documents issued by other countries. This is known as Albania’s ‘substitute visa’ provision.
Valid Schengen, US, Cyprus, Irish or UK Visa/Residence Permit
Any foreign national who holds a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by any of the following may enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days:
- Any Schengen Area country (e.g. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
- United States of America
- Cyprus
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
Critically, the visa must be a multiple-entry visa AND must have been used at least once before your arrival in Albania. A brand-new, unused Schengen visa does not qualify — you must have already entered the Schengen Area (or the US/UK/Cyprus/Ireland) at least once before using this provision for Albania.
Other Qualifying Documents
The substitute visa provision also extends to the following:
- Valid US Green Card holders — permanent residents of the United States can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Holders of a valid residence permit issued by any Schengen country — this includes long-term residents even if they do not hold a Schengen visa.
- Holders of refugee travel documents or stateless persons’ travel documents issued by an EU or EFTA member state — these individuals can enter Albania without a separate Albanian visa.
| Practical Example of the Substitute Visa Imagine you are a citizen of Pakistan (a country that normally requires a visa for Albania). If you hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa that you have already used to visit France, you can travel directly to Albania without obtaining a separate Albanian visa. You can stay for up to 90 days. This provision makes Albania accessible to many more travellers than the formal visa-free list alone would suggest. |
Part 4: Visitors of Albanian Ethnicity
Albania has a specific provision for members of the Albanian diaspora and ethnic Albanians living abroad. Visitors of Albanian ethnicity — regardless of their passport nationality — do not require a visa to enter Albania and may stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
This is particularly relevant for Albanian communities in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Italy, Germany, the United States, and many other countries. Ethnic Albanians travelling on foreign passports can benefit from this provision by demonstrating their Albanian heritage.
Part 5: Diplomatic, Official and Service Passport Holders
In addition to the ordinary passport visa-free arrangements, Albania has specific exemptions for holders of non-ordinary passports from additional countries that would otherwise require a visa.
The following countries’ diplomatic, official or service passport holders do not require a visa to visit Albania:
| Country | Passport Types Exempt | Notes |
| Algeria | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Cuba | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Ecuador | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Egypt | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| India | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Indonesia | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Jordan | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Kyrgyzstan | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Mongolia | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Morocco | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only; separate ordinary passport agreement pending |
| Oman | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Philippines | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Russia | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Saudi Arabia | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| South Africa | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Thailand | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Tunisia | Diplomatic passports only | Only diplomatic passport (not official or service) is exempt |
| Uzbekistan | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
| Vietnam | Diplomatic, Official, Service | Non-ordinary passports only |
Part 6: Electronic Visa (eVisa) — For Everyone Else
If your country is not on any of the visa-free lists above, and you do not qualify under the substitute visa provision, Albania offers an electronic visa (eVisa) system. This means you do not need to visit an Albanian embassy in person — you can apply online.
The eVisa is available to citizens of countries that are not otherwise visa-exempt. Applications are submitted through Albania’s official eVisa portal at e-visa.al.
| How to Apply for an Albanian eVisa Visit the official Albanian eVisa portal at e-visa.al. You will need to provide: a valid passport, a digital passport photograph, travel itinerary details, accommodation information, and payment of the visa fee online. Processing times and fees vary — check the portal for current information. The eVisa is typically issued within a few business days and is sent to your email. |
Part 7: Upcoming Changes to Albania’s Visa Policy
Albania has signed visa exemption agreements with additional countries that have not yet come into force. Once ratified, these will expand visa-free access further:
| Country | Passport Types Covered | Agreement Signed | Status |
| Morocco | Ordinary passports | March 2025 | Signed — not yet in force |
| Dominican Republic | Diplomatic, official, special passports | September 2025 | Signed — not yet in force |
Once the Morocco agreement enters into force, ordinary Moroccan passport holders will be able to visit Albania visa-free — a significant expansion. The Dominican Republic agreement covers non-ordinary passports only at this stage.
Part 8: A Note on Reciprocity — Albanian Citizens Travelling Abroad
While Albania extends visa-free access to citizens of many countries, the relationship is not always mutual. Albanian citizens still require visas to visit a number of countries that grant Albanians visa-free access to Albania, including:
- Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brunei, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Notably, Mauritius grants Albanian citizens a visa on arrival rather than full visa-free access. This lack of reciprocity is a reflection of Albania’s ongoing EU accession process — as Albania moves closer to EU membership, further visa liberalisation agreements are expected.
Quick Reference Summary
| Your Situation | What You Need | Max Stay |
| US citizen | No visa required | Up to 1 year (must leave for 90 days before re-entry) |
| EU citizen (any of 27 member states) | No visa; ID card accepted | 90 days |
| Citizen of Albania’s visa-free list (see full table) | No visa required | 90 days |
| Kazakh citizen specifically | No visa required | 90 days within any 365-day period |
| Holder of used multiple-entry Schengen/US/UK/Cyprus/Ireland visa | No visa required (substitute visa) | 90 days |
| US Green Card holder (any nationality) | No visa required | 90 days |
| Schengen country residence permit holder (any nationality) | No visa required | 90 days |
| EU/EFTA-issued refugee or stateless travel document holder | No visa required | 90 days |
| Person of Albanian ethnicity (any passport) | No visa required | 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Diplomatic/official/service passport: Algeria, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam | No visa required (non-ordinary passport only) | 90 days |
| Diplomatic passport only: Tunisia | No visa required (diplomatic passport only) | 90 days |
| All other nationalities not listed above | eVisa required — apply at e-visa.al | Varies by visa type |
| Any visitor wishing to stay beyond 90 days (most nationalities) | Type ‘D’ long-stay visa required before arrival | Over 90 days |
| Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. Visa policies can change. Always verify requirements with the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (punetejashtme.gov.al) or the official Albanian eVisa portal (e-visa.al) before making travel arrangements. This document does not constitute legal or immigration advice. |
