Do You Need a Visa for Albania? Entry Rules & Travel Documents Explained

I still remember a client who flew in from Stockholm last summer. He was nervous about the border. He had read all sorts of things online—forums saying one thing, old travel blogs saying another. But when he landed in Tirana, the passport control officer simply stamped his passport, smiled, and waved him through. No visa, no stress. Later that week, as we stood on a balcony in Ksamil overlooking the turquoise water, he laughed and told me: “I spent more time worrying about the visa than I did packing.”

That’s Albania for you. Sometimes the perception is more complicated than the reality. And if you’re considering visiting—or even buying property here—you’ll want the real, local perspective on visas, entry rules, and travel documents.

Albania’s Visa Policy in Simple Words

The first thing you need to know is that Albania has become much more open to international visitors in the last decade. If you hold a passport from the EU, Schengen zone, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, or most of the Balkans—you don’t need a visa at all for short stays. Just bring your passport, and you can stay up to 90 days within 180 days.

Even better, if you already hold a valid Schengen visa or a US/UK visa, you can often enter Albania without applying for anything new. This has made life much easier for investors who might be touring the region and want to stop in Saranda for a few days to view properties.

But rules can change slightly year to year, so I always tell clients: check the official Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before flying. It takes two minutes and can save you a headache.

What About Long-Term Stays?

Here’s where things get interesting. If you fall in love with the Albanian Riviera (and trust me, many do), you might want to stay longer than just three months. In that case, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit.

I’ve guided several buyers through this process. It’s not overly complicated, but it does require some paperwork: proof of property ownership, income, health insurance. The offices in Saranda are usually helpful, though sometimes you’ll wait in line behind local pensioners sorting out their documents. Bring patience. And perhaps a coffee—our “kafe turke” is strong enough to get you through any bureaucratic morning.

Crossing the Borders – A Local’s Take

Most visitors land in Tirana and then head south, but if you’re buying property in Saranda or Ksamil, you might actually arrive via Corfu. The ferry from Corfu Town to Saranda takes just 30 minutes on the fast boat. It’s one of my favorite routes—on clear days you can see both the Greek islands and the Albanian mountains in one glance.

Here’s something only locals will tell you: if you’re arriving in July or August, take the earlier ferry from Corfu. The afternoon ones get crowded with day-trippers, and passport control in Saranda can be slow when 300 people arrive at once. I’ve had clients who were exhausted by the time they got through. If you come early, you’ll breeze through and maybe even have time for lunch at one of the family-run spots by the port.

Do Tourists Really Get Stopped?

Not often. Albanian border police are generally welcoming. If you’re from a visa-free country, it’s usually just a stamp. Sometimes they ask why you’re visiting. I always tell clients: just say you’re here to see property or enjoy the sea. Both are true.

Once, while accompanying a German couple driving in from Montenegro, the officer actually gave us tips about the best beach near Dhermi. That’s the thing—our borders aren’t just formalities; they’re also gateways where locals are proud to share advice.

Why Visas Matter for Real Estate Buyers

Now, let me connect the dots. Why am I, as a real estate professional, talking so much about visas? Because travel documents aren’t just paperwork—they directly affect your investment decisions.

Think about it: if you’re buying a seaview apartment in Saranda, you’ll likely want to visit multiple times a year, or even rent it out to tourists who need easy access. The fact that Albania has visa-free entry for so many countries makes this market far more attractive compared to destinations with stricter rules.

That’s part of the reason why Saranda apartments for sale are getting so much international attention. They’re affordable compared to Greece or Italy, but the lifestyle is similar—sometimes better. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

Tangent: A Walk Through Borsh

Forgive me, but I’ll take a small detour. Last week I was in Borsh, showing our White Residence Villas. I parked near the olive groves and walked a few minutes to the site. There’s this little café on the main road, where the owner always insists I drink a homemade lemonade before heading to the villas. It’s such a small detail, but it reminds me why foreigners fall in love here. Hospitality is natural, not staged.

The villas themselves are what I’d call quiet luxury: private pools, three floors, big verandas with sea views, and a location where the only sound you hear at night is the crickets. For anyone dreaming of a Mediterranean family home—or a rental business with character—it’s exactly what they imagine, without the price tag of Spain or Italy. You can see them here: White Residence Villas, Borsh.

Property Viewings & Travel Papers

When clients fly in, the first questions are usually practical: “Do I need anything special to see properties?” The answer is simple—just your passport. You don’t need a special permit to view or buy property.

I often tell people: make the most of your visit. If you’re in Ksamil to look at apartments, plan an afternoon swim too. One of our newest projects, White Residence Ksamil, is only seven minutes from the beach on foot. It’s a newly finished 2025 building, modern, with a private pool for residents. I can’t count how many times clients finish a viewing there and then walk straight to the sea. It’s effortless living—that’s what sells the most.

Gold Residence & First-Line Opportunities

And then there are those rare opportunities where location does all the talking. At the Gold Residence in Saranda, we currently have a seaview apartment where residents not only enjoy a pool but also their own private beach just one minute away. It’s literally first line. These are the types of properties where visa-free entry becomes more than convenience—it becomes part of the lifestyle. Imagine flying in for a long weekend, arriving via Corfu, and within an hour you’re on your own private stretch of the Ionian. That’s when Albania feels like a secret you almost don’t want the rest of Europe to discover.

Cultural Notes Along the Way

While paperwork is important, travel is more than documents. Visitors always notice how Albanians greet with a warm handshake or even invite you for raki before you’ve said much. It’s not unusual for a property viewing to end with a spontaneous lunch at a local taverna. I once had a client from London who said: “Back home, my agent barely shook my hand. Here, I’m leaving with a full stomach.” That’s the culture. Hospitality is woven into everything—even business.

Final Thoughts

So, do you need a visa for Albania? For most readers here—probably not. Entry rules are straightforward, the borders are welcoming, and the process is much easier than people imagine.

And if you’re looking at beachfront property, seaview apartments, or affordable properties across the Albanian Riviera, that simplicity is part of the appeal. It means you can focus less on paperwork and more on what truly matters: walking along the Saranda promenade at sunset, visiting villages where time slows down, or simply standing on your new balcony listening to the Ionian waves.

I’ve lived here long enough to know that investing in Albania isn’t just about square meters and ROI (though those are excellent). It’s about access. Access to a lifestyle, a coastline, a community. And with the visa situation so open, it’s never been easier to step into that world.