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Driving in Albania: Tips and requirements
Dreaming of exploring the Albanian Riviera? Learn everything about driving in Albania as a foreigner and make it happen.
If you travel through this south-eastern Balkan country, driving in Albania gives you the best way to explore wild beaches and mountain villages. Sometimes public transport doesn’t reach key rural areas.
As a fun detail, you’ll spot communist-era bunkers beside the road. So, with a car, you can stop and explore these old shelters.
In this article, we explain which licence you need to drive here, plus the main requirements and documents. We also cover parking, fuel types and prices, and other handy road-trip tips. Discover Albania behind the wheel!
Valid driving licences in Albania
Does your home licence work for driving in Albania? Your licence language and the agreements between Albania and your country make driving here easier or harder.
Valid driving licences in Albania
Tourists and short-term visitors, like digital nomads or students, can drive in Albania with their home licence if it uses the Latin alphabet. Albania allows this for up to 12 months.
Spain, Mexico, the United States, Argentina, Chile and the United Kingdom have this agreement.
International driving licence
If your licence doesn’t use the Latin alphabet, such as Chinese or Arabic, you must get an international permit or an official English translation. You obtain this permit in your home country at traffic offices or authorised bodies. Also, it won’t work alone, so carry your original licence too.
Local Albanian licence
If you stay longer than 12 months, you must swap your foreign licence for a local Albanian one.
The Albanian government has reciprocity deals with several European countries. So their citizens can swap without taking a test, such as Spain, Mexico, the US, Argentina or the UK.
However, citizens from countries like Colombia don’t have this deal. So they must take theory and practical tests to get an Albanian licence.
Requirements and documents for driving in Albania
To drive in Albania legally, both the driver and the vehicle must meet several requirements. Here they are:
- Minimum age: You must be at least 18, and there’s no maximum age if you stay healthy.
- Mandatory insurance: Every vehicle on Albanian roads needs at least third-party liability cover.
- Technical inspection: Your car must pass a roadworthiness check that proves safe mechanical condition.
- Alcohol limit: Albania sets one of Europe’s strictest limits at 0.1 g/l in blood.
- Vehicle documents: Carry the registration certificate that proves official vehicle registration.
- Driving licence: As noted, you need your home licence for 12 months or an international permit, depending on agreements with Albania.
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Check GPS, plan the best village routes, and go live on social media with 5G cover and unlimited data. Plus, you can connect two devices at once for only €59,21 ($64.90) per month.
Or, if your trip lasts under a month, use the Holafly eSIM for Albania. It gives unlimited data for the days you need, and you won’t pay roaming fees.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Traffic rules and road signs in Albania
To drive in Albania, first learn the traffic rules. They match most European rules, as you’ll see below:
Driving Direction
Like most countries, drivers keep right and use left-hand steering. If you come from the UK, Japan, Malta, or other left-driving countries, practise on quiet roads first.
Speed Limits
On Albanian motorways, limits run lower than in many European countries, with a max of 110 km/h. Secondary roads allow 80 km/h, and urban areas allow 40 km/h.
Mobile Phone Use
Albania, like other countries, bans phone use without hands-free. Distraction causes most road crashes, so stay focused.
Mandatory emergency kit
You must carry an emergency kit with a high-vis vest, warning triangle, and first-aid kit. Also, drivers often add a small fire extinguisher.
Road signs
Road signs usually appear in Albanian and sometimes in English, with familiar European symbols. In rural areas, signs are scarce, so pay close attention.
Common Offenses and Penalties
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Speeding | €50–€200 ($55–$220) |
| Mobile Phone Use | Up to €150 ($165) |
| Not wearing a seat belt | €50–€100 ($55–$110) |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol | From €250 ($275) and licence suspension. |
Main driving penalties in Albania.
Tolls and Fuel Charging
One key feature of driving in Albania is that the country lacks a wide toll-motorway network. Only the Kalimash Tunnel section (A1) charges tolls, and prices range from €4,56–€13,70 ($5–$15), depending on your vehicle.
For fuel, unleaded petrol costs €1,50–€1,65 ($1.65–$1.80), and diesel costs €1,55–€1,73 ($1.70–$1.90). Electric cars can recharge in major cities for €0,27–€0,46 ($0.30–$0.50) per kWh.
You can pay tolls and fuel with bank cards, cash, or digital payments at some stations.
Parking in Albania
Parking in larger cities, like Tirana, uses free white zones, paid blue lines, and restricted red areas. You can pay at street meters by app or card. Here are typical parking prices in Albania:
- On-street (blue zone): €0,46–€1,37 ($0.50–$1.50)
- Private car parks: €4,56–€9,12 ($5–$10)
- Monthly rates in central areas: From €55 ($60)
Options for renting a car in Albania
If you want to drive in Albania, you can rent a vehicle at budget-friendly prices. Major international firms include Sixt, Europcar, and Avis, while local agencies include Rent Point Albania and Surprice Rent a Car.
You’ll find them at the airport and in big-city centres. However, you can also book online:
- Economy cars: From €23,00 ($25.00), so you can park easily in cities.
- SUV or 4×4: From €42,00 ($45.00), so groups can travel farther.
- Automatic cars: From €32,00 ($35.00) per day
- Weekly rental: From €136 ($150)
Tips for foreigners driving in Albania
You can follow several routes when driving in Albania, like the Albanian Riviera for sea views, or the Alps for mountain lovers.
Whatever road trip you choose, keep these final tips in mind before you drive here:
- Get used to the roads, because some rural routes are rough.
- Use apps like Google Maps or OsmAnd to navigate safely and find top routes.
- Always carry cash in the local currency (lek) especially for rural fuel stops and tolls.
- Avoid night driving outside urban areas.
- Keep your insurance and documents printed and close, along with your licence.
- Check that your hire car includes the mandatory kit before you leave.
- Choose the new Holafly Connect plans so you stay connected and don’t get lost.
FAQs about driving in Albania
Yes, but take extra care in rural areas, because some roads are rough and signs are limited.
In urban centres, white lines mark free parking. Also, outskirts often offer free spaces without restriction signs, and some malls provide free parking too.
Yes, you must drive with lights on in daylight, especially on rural roads or in low visibility. This rule helps cut accidents.
Yes, many travellers drive from Albania into Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Greece. Make sure your insurance covers other countries, and your hire firm allows border crossings.
This route feels stunning and you shouldn’t miss it. Some sections run narrow and winding, yet the Ionian Sea views are amazing, and you’ll pass charming coastal towns for stops.
