- Capital
- Tirana (TIA)
- Dialing Code
- + 355
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March - last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2
- Language
- Albanian
- Best Time to Go
- May - September
- Currency
- Lek (ALL)
Travel Tips
- Water cuts and electricity blackouts are fairly frequent
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available
- Dress should be conservative, particularly in the rural areas
Last updated 25 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Representation is accredited to Rome and London
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1 - 2
March: 14, 16, 20, 22 - 23
April: 5 - 6, 12 - 13
May: 1, 27
September: 5, 7
November: 22 - 23, 28 - 30
December: 1, 8, 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders
Visas must be applied for online at: e-visa.al. The application must be made within 90 days of the intended date of travel
- Visa application form (available online)
- Passport with 3 month validity beyond requested visa dates, with 2 blank pages
- Photocopy of the valid travel document and previous or current visas (Schengen, USA, UK etc.) or Albanian electronic/sticker visas
- Proof of employment, or evidence that they have intentions to return to their home country
- Photograph of the applicant, with dimensions 47 mm x 36 mm
- Proof of accommodation / reservation
- Proof of financial means / sufficient funds (12 months bank statements)
- Roundtrip reservation or itinerary
NOTE:
Completing the application form online and uploading the documents is only the first stage of the visa process. Once the application is reviewed, you will be asked to pay the visa fee. Once the visa fee is paid, then only is the application evaluated. Once the visa is approved, you will receive the e-visa via email. This must be printed and must be on your person when entering and leaving Albania
Visa Processing Time
- Approx 15 working days
- The application may not be submitted more than 90 days in advance of travel
Visa Validity
90 days within 180 days starting from the date of first entry
Visa Cost
EUR25. Visa Fees are non-refundable
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
Representation accredited from Rome, Italy