Published: May 20, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Albania Travel Advisory and Albania Country Information Page.
Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Tirana
Rruga Stavro Vinjau 14, Tirana.
Tel: +355-04-22-472-85; After-Hours Emergency: +355-04-2247-285
Hours: 0800 – 1630, Monday – Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter
There is not an OSAC Country Chapter in Albania.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Albania Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Albania due to crime.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tirana as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Albania, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
The Albanian government is making a concerted effort to improve the country’s law enforcement capabilities and reduce corruption. Organized crime has a noted impact on Albania, which hosts a network of criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, extortion, bribery, money laundering, prostitution, and human trafficking.
Crime statistics from the Albanian State Police for 2024 (most recent) reveal no overall change in the number of recorded criminal offenses compared to 2023. Thefts, burglaries, and robberies decreased by almost 21% while murder and attempted murder decreased by 3.8%. Conversely, sexual crimes increased by 2.9% and financial fraud by almost 104%.
Street crime is common in urban areas, predominantly at night. The most notable are burglaries of unoccupied residences and vehicles, theft, and domestic violence claims. If confronted by armed assailants, comply with their demands.
Attacks using small improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and targeting individuals in contentious disputes have occurred in the past year. Remain vigilant when parking in unattended parking areas, avoid parking overnight in non-secure areas, and inspect vehicles for suspicious items. If you find something strange, do not tamper with it and contact the Albanian State Police immediately. The expatriate community is not a specific target, although members could become victims due to circumstance or proximity.
There are no areas that are off limits to U.S. Embassy personnel.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Albania.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tirana as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Albania.
Some terrorist groups, and those inspired by such organizations, are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are using less sophisticated methods of attack including knives, firearms, and vehicles to target crowds. U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to take special caution at high-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.); hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists; places of worship; schools and parks; shopping malls and markets; and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights).
The terrorism threat in Albania includes ISIS sympathizers’ attempts to radicalize Albanian youth to violence, the use of Albania as a source or transit country for money or material by terrorists, and the potential for radicalization to violence by returnees from Syria. The return of foreign fighters from Syria continues to be a concern due to their more radicalized views, tighter bonds with known terrorist groups, and newly acquired military tactics. The terrorism threat in Albania also includes Iran’s plotting against the resettled Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK).
Albania has laws against terrorist acts; terrorism financing; collection, transfer, and concealment of funds that finance terrorism; conducting transactions with persons on the UN sanctions lists; recruiting and training people to commit terrorist acts; incitement of terrorist acts; and establishing, leading and participating in terrorist organizations.
The Albanian State Police Counterterrorism Directorate (CTD) works closely with U.S. agencies to align Albanian government requirements with U.S. expertise and resources, facilitating the Albanian government’s development of focused CT capabilities. The CTD can effectively and proactively detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism in its territory. The directorate has worked with other regional CT units to monitor potential threats and, where appropriate, provide evidence.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tirana as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Albania. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Elections in Albania have previously included elements of organized crime and corruption within the voting process. However, recent election cycles have resulted in a more balanced and fair process. Parliamentary elections in Albania concluded on May 11, and election day was mostly calm. There were isolated reports of irregularities involving candidates and their supporters, though the Central Election Commission has said the reports would not negatively impact the election results.
Despite the overwhelmingly calm election, a joint observation mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE’s Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament have called for comprehensive electoral reform in Albania. They specifically noted that the election process was marked by the ruling party’s misuse of public resources, the two main political parties using divisive language, lack of transparency in campaign financing, and unbalanced media coverage of smaller parties.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations and political protests are common in Albania. The protests are generally peaceful but have resulted in violence in the past. The demonstrations vary in size from several hundred to several thousand participants and frequently disrupt traffic. One of the most frequent sites of protest activity in the country is the capital’s main boulevard, Dëshmorët e Kombit, which is home to many government, diplomatic, and cultural facilities. Molotov cocktails are common during demonstrations, though they are generally thrown at buildings and not people.
At several protests throughout 2024, opposition supporters threw Molotov cocktails at the Tirana municipality office. In October 2024, 10 police officers and a few protestors were injured as opposition supporters demonstrated against a prison sentence issued to a former opposition Parliamentarian. Protestors threw pyrotechnics, Molotov cocktails, and rocks, and vandalized city busy stops and other property. In February 2024, thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets, throwing stones and flares as they accused the Cabinet of corruption. Additionally, since October 2023, opposition lawmakers continue to disrupt parliamentary sessions in protest of the ruling party’s failure to investigate allegations of corruption, with some using smoke bombs and starting a small fire in parliament.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S. sentiment is uncommon in Albania, and the international community is generally well-regarded.
Law Enforcement
The Ministry of Interior oversees the Republican Guard and the Albanian State Police, which includes the Border and Migration Police. The Albanian State Police are primarily responsible for internal security. The Republican Guard protects senior state officials, foreign dignitaries, and certain state properties. The Ministry of Defense oversees the armed forces. The State Intelligence Service is responsible to the prime minister, gathers information, and carries out foreign intelligence and counterintelligence activities. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces.
Corruption and barriers to information sharing among government agencies, insufficient intra-agency coordination, and a still-developing judicial system continue to hinder Albania’s law enforcement efforts. Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), which was established in 2019, prosecutes cases involving terrorism, high-level corruption, and organized crime. SPAK prosecutes complex cases and cooperates directly with leading international law enforcement and prosecutorial entities. District prosecution offices throughout the country prosecute the remaining cases that do not fall within SPAK’s limited jurisdiction. SPAK and other Albanian law enforcement services cooperate extensively with INTERPOL and other international law enforcement bodies.
Police Response
Police now have a visible presence throughout Tirana and other larger Albanian cities, although their response is often delayed due to limited resources and manpower. Police tend to respond more rapidly to reports from members of the international community. However, law enforcement’s ability to protect and assist travelers is limited in some areas, particularly remote regions.
The Albanian government is trying to make a concerted effort to improve the country’s law enforcement capabilities, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism and organized crime. Corruption and lack of resources within the police present continual challenges.
The emergency line for the police in Albania is 129.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Albania, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Albania. If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
The law and constitution prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The Albanian government generally observes these prohibitions, but there have been instances where police detained persons for questioning for inordinate lengths of time without formally arresting them.
Albania has a sound legal framework to fight corruption and prevent conflict of interest of public officials and politicians, including their family members. However, foreign investors cite corruption including in the judiciary, government, public procurements, and media, lack of transparency and competition, large informal economy, and poor enforcement of contracts as some of the biggest problems hampering the business environment in Albania.
Impunity remains a serious problem. With the creation of the SPAK in 2019, the arrest and prosecution, of officials who commit abuses is increasing, however many officials, politicians, judges, and persons with powerful business interests are still able to avoid prosecution.
Corruption continues to be a serious problem in detention centers, particularly in connection with access to work and special release programs.
Cybersecurity
Albania is a target for malicious cyberattacks by state actors, including Iran and Russia. Albania has also experienced ransomware attacks from cybercriminal groups. In July 2022, Iran conducted cyberattacks against Albania. Malicious cyber activity by a State that intentionally damages critical infrastructure or otherwise impairs its use and operation to provide services to the public can have cascading domestic, regional, and global effects; pose an elevated risk of harm to the population; and may lead to escalation and conflict.
Import/Export Restrictions
Albania’s customs authorities enforce strict regulations on the import or export of particular items, including weapons, endangered wild fauna and flora, and narcotics. Certain categories of products require licenses and registration before their importation to Albania, including but not limited to, insecticides, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. There are no restrictions on satellite phones in Albania.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
