Visa-Free Entry

Albania is outside the EU and Schengen, so time here does not use Schengen days. Most European, American and developed Asia-Pacific passports enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period, EU citizens with just an ID card. US citizens benefit from a unilateral rule allowing up to one year, after which they must spend 90 days abroad. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a temporary exemption to 31 December 2026. It does not allow local employment.

88 nationalities are on the eligible list. Anyone not listed applies through a different route.

• Passport eligible for visa-free entryRequiredAround 90 nationalities enter visa-free. EU, EEA, Swiss and several Balkan citizens can use a national ID card.
• Within the visa-free allowanceRequiredNinety days in any 180 for most passports; US citizens can stay up to a year.
• Passport valid for at least 6 monthsRequiredYour passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your stay; six months avoids airline problems.
• Not a work permitInfoVisa-free entry does not allow work for Albanian employers. The unique permit for digital nomads is the legal route for longer remote-work stays.

• Passport or EU national ID card
• Return or onward ticket
• Proof of accommodation

1. Enter visa-free

   Show your passport or ID card at the border. US citizens should keep track of the one-year limit.

   1

Not extendable. Apply for a residence permit within the visa-free period to stay longer.

• Time in Albania does not count against Schengen days
• US citizens must leave for 90 days after a full year
• The Qatar and Saudi exemptions are temporary, ending 31 December 2026
• Overstays are fined and can lead to entry bans

• Visa regime for foreign citizensMinistry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania2026-10-12
• Visa policy of AlbaniaWikipedia2026-10-12