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TRAVEL AWARE, ADVICE & SAFETY

when travelling from the UK

DO I NEED A VISA?

ENTRY & EXIT FORMALITIES TO THE BALKANS

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  • ALBANIA   

  • KOSOVO   

  • NORTH MACEDONIA 

  • MONTENEGRO

  • CROATIA

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If a visa is required, don't leave it until the last minute – allow plenty of time (more than 6 months). Your passport should have at least one blank visa page. (The number of blank pages required may vary by destination – check with the FCO).

To view the latest passport, visa and health requirements for British Citizens, please select your holiday destination from the drop down panel on our Visa Information page.

How to find out about visa requirements: The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit provides information about visa requirements and also provides contact details for relevant Embassy. Visit: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

For non-British Citizens please contact the appropriate consulate or embassy for advice.
You can also view the FCO site for entry requirements by clicking here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Once in the site, you'll need to select the required country and then select ‘entry requirements’.

Travelers' Health | CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention          https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/

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WHO | World Health Organization                                                                     http://www.euro.who.int/en/countries/albania

 

WHO/Europe offices

WHO Country Office, Tirana, Albania
United Nations House
“Skenderbej” Street, Gurten Building, No 6
Tel.: +355 42266162, +355 42266163
Fax: +355 4 2266163

 

Ministry of health

Ministry of Health and Social Protection
Bulevardi 'Bajram Curri', Nr. 1
Tirana, Albania
Tel.: +355 4 2362937
http://www.shendetesia.gov.al

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Citizens of many countries (including Australia, Canada, UK, USA, New Zealand and Japan) generally don't require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. Other nationals should contact embassies or consulates.

Always check the latest visa information before you travel.

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The European Union & the Schengen area

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Europe, the European Union and the Schengen area are not the same thing. All the countries of the Balkans are in Europe, but only Slovenia and Croatia are in the European Union and are Schengen members. There are no border controls between Schengen countries, but border procedures between EU and non-EU countries can still be onerous.

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Please always check the European Union website http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries for latest information and always check latest visa requirements before you travel.

Visas may sometimes be available in advance or upon arrival; generally visas on arrival are more expensive. Consider in advance if you want a tourist or transit visa; the latter can give you 48 or 72 hours and be issued more quickly and cheaply.

Be aware that any visa you are issued has an expiry date you should stick to.

In some countries you are required to register with local authorities within 48 hours of arrival, though your hotel will generally take care of this.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information please check: www.gov.uk/travelaware and  follow @FCOtravel  and Facebook.com/FCOtravel

More information is available by checking OUR BLOG.

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting  www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

The advice can change so check regularly for updates and the latest information.

DO I NEED VACCINATIONS?

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide. You should take professional health advice about your specific needs as early as possible. 

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For more specific enquiries, please refer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit for the most up-to-date information. You can do this by visiting: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice then selecting the destination you require and finally clicking on ‘health’.

 

Vaccinations:

You should start thinking about whether you need any vaccinations around four to six weeks before you travel, because some vaccines and antimalarial tablets need time to take full effect. The National Travel Health Network and Centre  has a useful interactive map where you can search for the latest travel health advice by country (it may take a little while to load). Many UK GP surgeries also offer a travel clinic where you can book any vaccinations and ask your doctor whether any other medical treatment is required before you go.  Please note there may be a fee for vaccinations. 

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TRAVEL & INFORMATION

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