The medical care is inadequate and operations should – if at all – only be carried out in an emergency. In view of the poor medical care situation, check-ups (e.g. teeth) should be made before leaving for Albania. Sufficient medication and a well-stocked first-aid kit should be taken with you. Travel health insurance with emergency repatriation is highly recommended.Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers aged one year and older who wish to enter the country within 6 days of staying in an infected area designated by the WHO. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas. Regardless of official regulations, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for all travelers. [2] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with typhus. Polio vaccinations should be boosted if it is more than 10 years since the last vaccination.
Food and drink
There is an increased risk of infection nationwide, especially for various intestinal infections. Therefore, careful food and drinking water hygiene should be practiced. Those with sensitive stomachs should refrain from eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets. Tap water is generally not drinkable in Albania, it contains chlorine. It is recommended to resort to bottled water. It should be ensured that the original packaging has not been opened. Brucellosis and tuberculosis occur in Albanian dairy cows. Unpasteurized milk and homemade cheese should therefore be avoided. UHT milk is always used in cafés and restaurants,
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Nationwide, from April to October, there is a risk of transmission of Lyme disease from ticks, especially in grass, shrubs and undergrowth. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. In the case of work or leisure activities with possible exposure to ticks in endemic areas, vaccination against TBE (tick-borne encephalitis), the pathogens of which are transmitted to the host with the bite, is urgently recommended. In case of tick infestation, consult a doctor if in doubt. Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with hepatitis A. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for long-term stays. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by butterfly flies, occurs in coastal regions. Skin-covering clothing and insect repellents as well as mosquito nets offer protection. Dogs can also get leishmaniasis. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include stray dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays.
Money
Currency
1 lesson Currency abbreviation: ALL (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 lek; Coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 lek. In addition to the official means of payment, the lek, euros are very rarely accepted as means of payment.
Credit cards
Only limited use. Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted, but only in larger hotels and some banks. Withdrawals from ATMs in larger cities are possible without any problems. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards The Girocard (formerly EC card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. Cash withdrawals are possible in larger cities with a bank card (Maestro) and PIN number if the Maestro sign is present at the ATM. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Traveller’s checks are almost never accepted in Albania. They can only be redeemed in a few banks or exchange offices in Tirana.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import of foreign currency and the national currency is unlimited; Declaration obligation from a value of 10,000 €. The export is limited to the amount declared upon entry.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange is possible at the official exchange rate in the banks. It is more convenient to exchange money in exchange offices in larger hotels, but the exchange rate is a bit worse. A better rate can be obtained from the legal money changers on the street, which are usually found near banks. It should be noted that counterfeit money is often in circulation. Cash is still the most important means of payment. Only smaller amounts should be changed as needed. In addition to the official means of payment, the lek, foreign exchange (preferably US dollars) is usually gladly accepted. It is advisable to take small amounts of foreign currency with you, because change is often not available even at the airport, when collecting entry and exit fees, in exchange offices,
