Health in Albania: vaccines, water, medical care and insurance

If you have current routine immunisations, add hepatitis A for all trips. Add hepatitis B, typhoid or rabies only if you’ll be in rural areas, have prolonged contact with animals, or plan long stays.

Albania does not require any mandatory vaccines for entry. The CDC and UK NHS list hepatitis A as the primary recommendation for short‑term visitors because the disease is endemic. Hepatitis B is advised for travellers who may have medical procedures or sexual contact with locals. Typhoid vaccine is useful for those eating street food or staying in remote villages. Rabies pre‑exposure vaccination is optional for hikers, wildlife volunteers or anyone spending extended time in rural areas.

Tap water in major cities (Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë) meets EU standards and is safe to drink. In rural or mountainous regions, treat water by boiling for at least one minute or use a certified filter. Ice in drinks is generally made from filtered water in hotels; avoid ice from street vendors if you have a sensitive stomach.

Public hospitals provide basic care; private clinics in Tirana and other large towns have English‑speaking staff and higher standards. Emergency services use 112. Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is strongly recommended, as advanced care may require transport to neighboring countries.