Passport and Visa
Albania is not a member of Schengen or the EU. However, Albania is a candidate country for the EU and is transposing EU law into its national law. Nordic citizens do not need a visa. Check that your passport is valid 6 months after you leave Albania. The passport must not be cracked or broken.
Vaccinations and health
Make sure you have a good comprehensive travel insurance that applies to care abroad. Examine what your home insurance covers. Additional travel insurance can be ordered through Phoenix. Remember to bring documentation on current travel / health insurance. If you have medicines with you, they should be stored in their original packaging so that it is clear what kind of medicine it is. For prescription medicines, you should bring a certificate from your doctor in English and pack it together with the medicines in your hand luggage.
Weather and clothes
Albania is located in the Mediterranean. The country thus has a very sunny and warm climate (40 ° C is not uncommon in July-August), while the winter is relatively rainy. The mountainous hinterland is very sunny, hot and dry during the summer months. The temperature differences are large between summer and winter. In the northeast it can be very cold with heavy snowfall. The best time to visit Albania is between June and September. Late spring and early autumn are especially pleasant.
Climate table for Tirana:
| Tirana | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max ° C | 12 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 17 | 17 | 14 |
| Min ° C | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Precipitation etc. | 132 | 120 | 100 | 87 | 99 | 60 | 28 | 39 | 73 | 157 | 152 | 142 |
Currency
Albania is an affordable country. The currency in Albania is Lek (ALL). 1 Lek = 0.07 SEK (May 2017). Visa and Master Card can be used for ATM withdrawals. We recommend that you bring cash (US dollars or euros in new banknotes) to exchange at the exchange office or bank. Some Albanians still count in old Lek (1 new Lek = 100 old Lek). Few shops and restaurants accept cards, but in many shops you can pay with Euro.
Transport and communications
Bus: Buses are the cheapest and most reliable means of transport. The railway system is limited with old trains. There are also no train connections to neighboring countries.
Taxi: The taxis can accommodate 4 or 8 people.
Security:
Albania is considered a fairly safe destination. However, normal caution should be exercised.
Shopping:
A tip is the large Tirana East Gate mall on the outskirts of Tirana. Here you can make bargains, especially if you are looking for odd things from the communist. The market in Krujë is also a good place for shopping.
Food & beverage:
Albania is an affordable country and a good dinner does not have to cost much. Albanian cuisine is heavily influenced by Turkish, Italian and Greek cooking traditions. Feel free to try the local wine or beer.
Other information:
Time difference: Albania has the same time as Sweden, both summer and winter time.
Tips: Tips are not common in Albania, but in restaurants it is advisable to add 10 percent to the bill as a tip if you are satisfied with the service.
Languages: The official language of the country is Albanian.
Electricity: Albania uses 220 V. The contacts are of European standard and of the same type as in Sweden. There may be a power failure.
