Albania Covid Travel restrictions, PCR testing and Coronavirus

Over the past month, I have received so many questions about the Covid travel restrictions in Albania, where to book a PCR test before traveling home, and how the situation is in Albania with regards to Coronavirus. Therefore, I decided to write a helpful blog post about it, to help you plan your travel.

Are there entry restrictions in Albania during Covid-19?

Here is an overview of the travel restrictions and entry requirements in place in Albania, in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19):

Albania Entry Requirements UPDATE 1 May 2022:

From the 1st of May 2022, the Albanian Government has removed all COVID entry requirements.

On the 1st of May the Albanian Ministry of Health confirmed that Albania has lifted all the COVID entry requirements:

This means

  • you do NOT need any vaccination passport to enter Albania
  • you do NOT need a test certificate to enter Albania
  • you do NOT need a recovery certificate to enter Albania

“Effective 1 May 2022, if travelling to Albania, whether by land, sea or air, there are no specific documents required, in terms of Covid-19.” Quote from Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania (source)

Are the commercial flights to Albania operating?

All the commercial flights to Albania are operating.

All the Albanian land borders are open

All the Albanian land borders are open.

All the Albanian maritime borders are open

All the maritime borders of Albania are open.

CORFU-SARANDA FERRY UPDATE:

The Corfu-Saranda Ferry is fully operational.

The ferry companies that are operating the ferries are Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways. You can book online up to 24 hours before departure, you can also reserve by email or you can pay for your ticket at the ticket office in the port of Saranda or the port of Corfu.

Corfu is a Greek island, you can find the Greek Covid entry requirements here:  https://travel.gov.gr

Is a negative PCR test required for entry to Albania?

You do NOT need a negative PCR test to enter Albania.

From the 1st of May 2022, the Albanian Government has removed all COVID entry requirements.

On the 1st of May the Albanian Ministry of Health confirmed that Albania has lifted all the COVID entry requirements:

This means

  • you do NOT need any vaccination passport to enter Albania
  • you do NOT need a test certificate to enter Albania
  • you do NOT need a recovery certificate to enter Albania

“Effective 1 May 2022, if travelling to Albania, whether by land, sea or air, there are no specific documents required, in terms of Covid-19.” Quote from Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania (source)

Some travellers may need a negative PCR test to travel home after visiting Albania or to travel onwards. If your next destination requires you to take a PCR test in Albania before you travel home, scroll down for more information below.

Do I have to quarantine upon entry to Albania?

When you enter Albania, quarantine is not required. As of the 1st of May 2022, Albania does not have any Covid entry requirements anymore.

Where can I do a PCR test in Albania?

You may need to do a PCR test in Albania before you travel back to your country (or onwards). Because your next destination requires you to present a negative PCR test at the border upon entry.

In order to get tested on COVID-19 by the Albanian public health authority, you must have symptoms and a recommendation from an Albanian family doctor. Therefore, as a foreigner, the only option is paying for a PCR test at a private clinic.

You can do a PCR test in Albania at Tirana International Airport right before departure or at one of the below six private clinics. All these clinics have been authorized by the Albanian government to perform PCR tests.

1. PCR test at Tirana International Airport before departure

NEW UPDATE 07 June 2021: You can now do a PCR test at Tirana International Airport just before your airplane departure.

There is a new PCR testing center outside the Arrivals hall at Tirana International Airport.

If you go for a PCR test at the airport, your test will be done at the airport and results will come from the laboratory at the airport as well.

Here is what you need to know about PCR testing at Tirana International Airport:

1. You must arrive at Tirana International Airport 3 hours before your flight departure.

2. The PCR test results at the airport will take 90 minutes to process.

3. You will receive the test results in the English language.

4. The airport PCR tests will cost you 35 Euros.

5. The Tirana International Airport testing center is open 24 hours a day.

Just FYI, it is not possible to do an antibody test or an antigen test at the airport. Tirana International Airport only offers the PCR test.

For more information click here: https://www.tirana-airport.com/d/297/pcr-testing-center-for-departing-passengers-at-tirana-international-airport

2. The American Hospital Laboratory (ALNET)

UPDATE: The American Laboratory Network (https://alnet.al/) now offers a PCR test result in 6 hours. If you take a PCR test with the American Laboratory Network in Tirana, you will get the result of your test in 6 hours. The test costs 6500 Leke (53 euros). And you will get the test result in both English and Albanian. You can walk in, no need for a reservation.

In all other locations outside Tirana, the PCR tests results take 24 hours.

Here is a list of the locations, where you can go for a PCR test in Albania:

Tirana city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory Lab Center at Pazari i Ri
Rr.Kostandin Kristoforidhi, në krah të Poliklinikës Qendrore, Tiranë

Tirana city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Spitali Amerikan 2
Rruga e Dibrës, Tiranë 1000

Tirana city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center 21 dhjetori
Lagjja 21 Dhjetori, pallati Gora ,prapa Poliklinikës nr. 9, Tiranë

Tirana city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, AMC Kamez
Rr.Venecia, në krah të Poliklinikës dhe stadiumit, Kamëz, Tiranë

Fier city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Fier
Përball Kishës, në krah të Poliklinikës, Fier

Fier city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, AMC Fier
Rr Çamëria, Fier

Vlore city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Vlore
Lagjja 15 tetori, përballë Spitalit Rajonal, Vlorë

Shkoder city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Shkoder
Rruga “Kole Heqimi, nr 1301, Skanderbeg,Shkodër

Durres city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Durres
Lagjja nr.3, rruga Fetah Bllaca, Durrës

Lushnje city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Lushnje
Lagjja Xhevdet Nepravishta, shëtitorja Kongresi i Lushnjes, p.22, Lushnje

Elbasan city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Elbasan
Lagjja Kongresi i Elbasanit, rruga Bedri Xhomo, Elbasan

Gjirokaster city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, AMC Gjirokaster
Në krah të Spitalit Rajonal-Gjirokastër

Berat city PCR test
American Hospital Laboratory, Lab Center Berat, perballe Spitalit rajonal
Lagjja Kushtrim, rruga Rilindja, përballë Spitalit rajonal, Berat

The PCR test results take 24 hours. You will receive the PCR test results by email in the English language.

For more information, you can check this website: https://alnet.al/ or call +355 4 222 5640.

3. Biocheck Diagnostic

Biocheck Diagnostic is located in Tirana. They offer a COVID testing package for 9500 Albanian Lek (77 euros). You can contact them at info@biocheck-al.com or call them on +355 4 2 427 025. More information can be found on their website: www.biocheck-al.com.

4. Genius Lab

Genius Lab has laboratories in Tirana, Kavaje, Shkoder, Lezhe and Pogradec. They offer a PCR test in all locations and the results will be ready in 3 hours. You will receive the results in both Albanian as well as the English language.

UPDATE: If you visit the Central location of Genius Lab (Address: Rruga e Kavajes, Kompleksi Delijorgji), you will get your PCR test results in only 90 minutes!

Lezhe City PCR test
GeniusLab Lezhe
Rruga Kosova 4501, Lezhë

Pogradec City PCR test
GeniusLab Pogradec
Rruga Kristaq Kacka 18, Pogradec

Shkoder City PCR test
Genius Laborator Shkoder
Rruga Studenti, 4001, Shkodër

Kavaje City PCR test
Genius Laborator Kavaje

You can find more information on their website http://geniuslab.al/index.php or call +355 69 303 3026.

5. German Hospital International

The German Hospital in Tirana also performs the PCR test. The price for the PCR test is 8500 Albanian LEK (70 euros). For more information or a reservation, you must call +355 67 200 4282 or +355 67 500 42 82. And you can check the website of the German Hospital for more information: https://spitaligjerman.com/

6. Intermedica

Intermedica is a laboratory and clinic in Tirana. They perform PCR tests for 6500 Albanian Leke (53 euros) and the results are ready in 6 hours. There is no need to reserve for a PCR test,  you can simply walk in on their two locations:

Intermedica Qendrore
Rruga: Panorama (Pranë Institutit Harry Fultz), Tiranë, Albania

Intermedica 15
Kompleksi Dinamo, Rruga e Kosovarëve pranë ish, Tirana 1001, Albania

You will receive the PCR test results in 6 hours by email in the English language with a QR code to scan.

You can contact them by email at info@intermedica.al or ankesat@intermedica.al. And you can check the website of Intermedica for more information: https://www.intermedica.al/

Question: Where can I do a PCR test in Sarande?

You can do a PCR test at Intermedica Sarande (Address: Onhezmi, Përballë Spitalit “Petro Nako”, 9701 Sarandë). The PCR test costs 7300 Leke (60 euros). You will receive the results in 6-12 hours. You can call Intermedica Saranda on: +355 69 702 9737

7. Salus Hospital

The Salus Hospital has been authorized to perform the PCR test. The hospital is located in the center of Tirana. The test costs 8000 Leke (65 euros). And you will receive the test result within 24 hours. You can get in touch with Salus Hospital by emailing info@salus.al or calling 355 68 205 3180. More information on their website: https://salus.al/

Where can I take an antibody covid test in Albania?

There are four laboratories in Albania that offer antibody testing for Covid-19, in order to determine whether you have had the Coronavirus infection before.

The American Laboratory Network (ALNET)

American Laboratory Network (ALNET) offers an antibody test for 3200 Leke (26 euros). The American Laboratory Network has locations in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Shkoder, Lushnje, Fier, Berat, Vlore, and Gjirokaster. You can find the list of addresses here: https://alnet.al/kontakt/

Although the American Laboratory Network offers PCR testing at Tirana International Airport. They do not offer Antibody testing or Antigen testing at the airport.

Intermedica

Intermedica is a laboratory in Tirana, which offers the antibody test as well. The price for the antibody test is 3000 Leke (25 euros). If you have any questions you can reach out to them, because they usually respond to emails within 24 hours. You can find their contact details here: https://www.intermedica.al/kontakt-2/

Biocheck diagnostic

Biocheck diagnostic offers the antibody test for 4000 leke (32.50 euros). Biocheck diagnostic is located in Tirana in the Boulevard Gjergi Fishta. You can call them on +355 4 2 427 025.

Salus Hospital

Salus Hospital offers an antibody test for 4000 leke (32.50 euros). The hospital is located in Tirana. Their address is: Rruga “Vidhe Gjata” 16, Mëzez-Kashar, Autostrada TR-DR, Tirana, Albania. And you can contact them by phone on +355 68 20 53 180 or +355 4 23 90 500​. Or reach out to them by email at: info@salus.al.

Where can I take an antigen test in Albania?

American Laboratory Network (ALNET)

You can take an antigen test at the American Laboratory Network (ALNET). The American Laboratory Network has locations in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Shkoder, Lushnje, Fier, Berat, Vlore, and Gjirokaster. You can find the list of addresses here: https://alnet.al/kontakt/

Although the American Laboratory Network offers PCR testing at Tirana International Airport. They do not offer Antibody testing or Antigen testing at the airport.

Intermedica

Intermedica is a laboratory in Tirana, which offers the antigen test as well. The price for the antibody test is 3000 Leke (25 euros). If you have any questions you can reach out to them, because they usually respond to emails within 24 hours. You can find their contact details here: https://www.intermedica.al/kontakt-2/

What measures are in place in Albania to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Here is an overview of the safety measures put in place by the Albanian government to limit the spread of Coronavirus in Albania:

You do not need to show a vaccination passport or negative covid test to visit restaurants or hospitality in Albania

Albania never required any proof that you do not have covid to enter a restaurant or other hospitality outlet. Foreign travellers asked this question as this was practised in their home country, however, Albania never required such documentation to enter a restaurant or hospitality outlet.

No restrictions on movement in Albania

There are no restrictions on movement in Albania. This means that travel between cities or areas in Albania is allowed. Moreover, public transportation and taxis are operating as normal.

Public transportation is operating normally in Albania

All public transportation and taxis are operating as normal. Of course, wearing a face mask is mandatory for everyone, except for children under the age of 11.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory

As of the 1st of June 2021, wearing a face mask outdoors is no longer mandatory.

However, it is still mandatory to wear a face mask indoors. 

Children under the age of 11 are exempt, however, any person 11 years old or above must wear the mask. If you do not wear the face mask, you may be fined up to 3000 Albanian Leke.

All facilities are open normally in Albania

The facilities are operating as normal:

  • The beaches in Albania are open.
  • Museums and libraries are open.
  • Malls and shops are open in Albania.
  • Hairdressers and dentists are open.
  • Indoor activity centres are open and outdoor exercise is permitted.

Events or gatherings outdoors are allowed for up to 50 individuals

As of the 15th of June 2021, it is allowed in Albania to have an event or gathering outdoors with up to 50 participants.

Where can I find more information about Travel restrictions in Albania?

You can find the most up-to-date information about the Albanian travel restrictions on the government websites:

However, the Albanian government websites are in the Albanian language only. And therefore, I recommend the below English language website for foreign travellers.

 

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I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. I arrange your transportation and I am your English speaking guide. So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania!
Kind regards, Manon

Welcome to Albania!

I am a Tour Guide in Albania

I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania.

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