Albania Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Albania — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Albania's healthcare system has improved significantly since the 2010s but remains underfunded compared to EU standards. Tirana has the best facilities: University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa" (QSUT — Qendra Spitalore Universitare "Nënë Tereza") is the main referral hospital. Private clinics in Tirana (Hygeia Hospital Albania, American Hospital Tirana, Salus Hospital) offer modern, English-friendly care and are the recommended choice for visitors. Along the Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Vlorë, Himara), healthcare is basic — serious cases transfer to Tirana or evacuate to Corfu (Greece) or Bari (Italy). Albania is rapidly growing as a tourist destination — the Albanian Riviera, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Tirana are increasingly popular. Medical tourism is emerging for dental and cosmetic work.
System type: Universal public healthcare (FSDKSH — Fondi i Sigurimit të Detyrueshëm të Kujdesit Shëndetësor) + growing private sector
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 127 (ambulance) or 112 (general emergency) or 128 (fire) or 129 (police)
Typical response time: 10-20 minutes in Tirana. 20-40+ minutes in coastal cities. 40-60+ minutes in rural and mountain areas.
Costs: Public ER: ALL 3,000-10,000 (€25-85). Private ER: €50-200. Ambulance: free in cities. Medical evacuation to Corfu or Italy: €5,000-20,000+.
Call 127 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. QSUT in Tirana is the main ER. English is very limited in public hospitals. Private hospitals in Tirana have English-speaking staff.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Public system requires registration. Visitors should use private clinics. Private hospitals in Tirana accept walk-ins. Coastal tourist areas have basic health centres (qendër shëndetësore).
Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 1-4+ weeks. Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-3 days.
Typical cost: Public: free for insured. Private GP: €15-30. Private specialist: €25-60. Dental: €10-40.
Good private options in Tirana. Limited elsewhere. Albanian Riviera: basic health centres only — serious cases go to Tirana. Berat and Gjirokastër: regional hospitals, basic.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, Polio, Flu), COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies (for extended rural stays)
No mandatory entry vaccines. Hepatitis A recommended due to variable water quality in some areas. Rabies present in stray dog population.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
NOT in the EU or Schengen (EU candidate country). EHIC not valid. Visa-free for most Western nationalities. Travel insurance essential.
Documents to prepare:
- Passport
- Travel insurance (EHIC NOT valid)
- Prescriptions
- Doctor's letter for medications
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: €15-30 per consultation
Emergency care without insurance: €25-200 per ER visit
Medication: Medications very affordable. Pharmacies (farmaci) available in all towns. Stock may be limited in rural areas. Bring regular medications from home.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Larger cities have extended hours. Farmaci e gatshme (duty pharmacy) in Tirana.
Over the counter: Wide range available. Some antibiotics available without prescription. Quality of generics can vary.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions and doctor's letters for all medications. Drug laws are strict — cannabis is illegal despite widespread wild growth.
Things that catch visitors out in Albania
- EHIC does NOT work — Albania is not in the EU. Travel insurance essential.
- Private hospitals in Tirana (American Hospital, Hygeia) are genuinely modern and English-friendly
- Albanian Riviera has very basic healthcare — nearest serious care is Tirana (3-5 hours drive)
- Healthcare is extremely affordable — even private clinics are very budget-friendly
- English is limited in healthcare settings — Albanian or Italian can help
- Italian is widely understood and can be useful in medical situations
- Stray dogs are common — rabies risk exists
Practical tips for travellers
- American Hospital Tirana and Hygeia Albania are the best private options — modern, English-speaking
- Buy travel insurance with evacuation cover — especially for Albanian Riviera trips
- QSUT Tirana is the main public hospital — for serious cases this is where you'll go
- Italian can be useful in medical settings — many Albanian doctors trained in Italy or speak Italian
- Bring all regular medications from home — rural pharmacy stock is limited
- Rabies: avoid contact with stray dogs, especially in rural areas
Have a travel question about Albania?
Ask Alex, our AI travel companion, gives members country-specific travel answers about local hospitals, English-speaking doctors, pharmacy rules and more — for Albania and 170+ other countries. It does not provide personal medical advice.