Getting help with living in Albania
Help from the Albanian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Albania, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Tirana cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Albania.
Professional help in Albania
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Albania, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Albania to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Albania. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Laws and cultural differences
Read about laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for Albania. This includes:
- penalties for illegal drugs
- advice for LGBT+ travellers
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Albania before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
As a British national, you can enter Albania without a visa.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply in advance for a long-stay visa or apply for a residence permit from within Albania.
Check which residence permit you need to live in Albania.
You can get a residence permit to:
- work
- study
- join family in Albania
For more information, read:
If you have any problems or questions about residency or visas, contact:
If you have a valid residence permit, you can apply for a biometric card for foreign nationals, similar to the National ID Card issued to Albanian citizens.
With this card you can register on e-Albania (in Albanian), giving you access to a range of public services, including some aimed at foreign nationals.
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Albania if you have been resident in Albania for at least 5 years.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on resident permit applications (in Albanian) from the Albanian government.
Citizenship
Albania recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Albanian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Albanian citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Tirana cannot help with Albanian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Albanian children aged 17 and under must carry a letter of authority if they’re travelling out of Albania without both or either parent or legal guardian. The letter of authority is a notarial declaration, issued through a licensed notary (in Albanian).
Contact the Albanian Embassy in the UK for more information.
Healthcare in Albania
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Albania does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Health insurance is compulsory in Albania for all citizens and residents. Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Albanian and international providers. Once you have insurance you should get a Health Card (in Albanian).
If you have a resident permit and a job, you are entitled to the same healthcare benefits as Albanian nationals. You need to register at your local health centre. For more information, visit the Ministry of Health and Social Protection website (in Albanian).
There are very few English-speaking staff in state hospitals.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Health services provided on e-Albania (in Albanian) include:
- an e-prescription service
- health card applications
Working in Albania
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Albania, you should apply for a ‘unique permit’ (a permit to stay and work in Albania), using the e-albania service.
For more information on work permits and the right to work in Albania:
To apply for a job, you may need to provide:
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Albania, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. To do this contact the Directorate of Educational Services at the Centre for Educational Services (QSHA) (in Albanian).
Read more guidance on the recognition of academic qualifications in the Western Balkans.
Driving in Albania
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You can drive in Albania for up to 12 months using a UK or EU driving licence but it’s better to use an international driving permit or Albanian driving licence.
Read about road travel in Albania, in safety and security in the travel advice for Albania. This includes information on driving in Albania, including driving licence rules.
The General Directorate of Road and Transport provide information (in Albanian) on driving in Albania, including how to:
You do not need to take a driving test to exchange a driving licence.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a Special Driving License (Leje Drejtimi e Posacme) which serves as a disabled parking permit. To do so, see guidance on getting a new Albanian driving licence (in Albanian).
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Albania, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Albania so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Invoices and bills issued from public and private bodies include tax costs. Self-employed persons should complete a periodic income self-declaration form in order to pay for health and social insurance and income tax. More information can be found at the National Business Centre (in Albanian).
Read guidance from the General Directorate of Taxes on paying taxes in Albania, including income tax.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Albania. To do this, find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Albania.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming an Albanian pension
Contact the Albanian Social Security Institute (in Albanian) to find out whether you can claim an Albanian pension.
You can read information about pensions for foreigners in Albania (in Albanian) on the Albanian Social Security Institute website.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Albanian benefits
You may be entitled to some Albania benefits.
Contact the Albanian Social Security Institute (in Albanian) to find out whether you can claim benefits in Albania.
You can read information about social security for foreigners in Albania (in Albanian) on the Albanian Social Security Institute website.
Buying and renting property in Albania
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
You do not need to be resident in Albania to buy property or land unless you are buying 1000 square meters or more of agricultural land. In such cases, you can buy the land either by:
- establishing a company in Albania
- partnering with a locally registered company
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Albania if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Albania
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Albanian elections
You cannot vote in Albanian elections unless you hold Albanian citizenship.
Studying in Albania
If you plan to study in Albania, you must meet all entry requirements before you travel.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Ministry of Education and Sport provides information about the school system in Albania.
All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school in Albania.
For more information, read the European Commission’s guidance on the Albanian education system.
Education services provided on e-Albania (in Albanian) include registrations and enrolment of children in schools (in Albanian).
Childcare
The Ministry of Education and Sport is responsible for public nurseries, kindergartens and pre-schools. Local municipal governments run them, following Ministry guidelines.
The Tirana municipal website provides information about public kindergartens (in Albanian).
Read more about early childhood education and care in Albania from the European Commission.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Albania, register the birth in the local municipality unit for the area you live in.
The Tirana municipal website provides information about the documents you need to register a birth (in Albanian).
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Albania, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Albania. For information about LGBT+ rights in Albania, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Albania.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Ministry of Justice oversees divorce law in Albania but does not offer any guidance on how to get a divorce.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Albania.
Documents for British people in Albania
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Albania, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Albania, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Albanian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
