Albania extends visa-free stay for Ukrainian citizens in 2025

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Key Takeaways

• Ukrainians can stay in Albania visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period until May 2025.
• Temporary protection offers Ukrainians legal stay, work rights, free healthcare, education, and housing support in Albania.
• Albania and Ukraine signed a 10-year security cooperation agreement in January 2024, enhancing diplomatic and defense ties.

Albania Extends Visa-Free Stay for Ukrainian Citizens: What It Means and How It Works

Albania 🇦🇱 has officially extended its visa-free stay policy for Ukrainian citizens, continuing a humanitarian and diplomatic partnership that has grown stronger in recent years. As of May 2025, Ukrainians can travel to Albania without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This move comes as part of Albania’s ongoing support for Ukraine 🇺🇦 during the ongoing conflict, and it reflects a broader commitment to cooperation between the two countries.

Albania extends visa-free stay for Ukrainian citizens in 2025

This article explains who is affected by the visa-free policy, what the requirements are, how temporary protection status works, and what practical steps Ukrainians should take if they want to stay longer or settle in Albania. We also look at the impact on Albanian citizens, recent diplomatic developments, and the real-life implications for families, workers, and students.

Visa-Free Travel: Who Can Visit and For How Long?

Ukrainian Citizens Visiting Albania

Ukrainian citizens can enter Albania without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This means that after spending 90 days in Albania, a Ukrainian visitor must leave and can only return once another 90 days have passed within the 180-day window.

Key requirements for Ukrainian citizens entering Albania:

Biometric passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure date from Albania.
No formal health insurance requirement, but it is strongly recommended to have coverage for medical emergencies.
Green Card insurance: Required for those driving into Albania by car. This is an international motor insurance certificate.

Example:
Olena, a Ukrainian teacher, wants to visit family in Tirana. She checks her biometric passport and confirms it’s valid for another 8 months. She buys travel health insurance for peace of mind and makes sure her car’s Green Card insurance is up to date. She can stay in Albania for up to 90 days without needing a visa.

What if you want to stay longer than 90 days?
If a Ukrainian citizen wishes to remain in Albania beyond the 90-day visa-free period, they must apply for a temporary residence permit. This can be granted for reasons such as:

Employment: Having a job offer from an Albanian employer.
Education: Enrolling in an Albanian school or university.
Family reunification: For example, marrying an Albanian citizen or joining close family members who are residents.

Official information and application forms for residence permits can be found on the Albanian Ministry of Interior’s website.

Albanian Citizens Visiting Ukraine

Albanian citizens also benefit from a visa-free regime when traveling to Ukraine. They can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, under the following conditions:

Valid foreign passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from Ukraine.
Medical insurance: Must cover treatment, emergencies, and repatriation.
Proof of trip purpose: Such as hotel bookings or a letter of invitation.
Proof of sufficient funds: To cover the entire stay.
No entry ban: The traveler must not be on any Ukrainian entry ban list.

Example:
Arben, an Albanian student, plans to attend a conference in Kyiv. He prepares his passport, buys medical insurance, and prints his hotel reservation. He also brings proof of his scholarship to show he can support himself during his stay.

For the latest entry requirements and updates, visit the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Temporary Protection Status for Ukrainians in Albania

Who Qualifies and What Does It Provide?

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Albania has offered temporary protection status to Ukrainian citizens and certain other groups. This status is designed for:

Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war
People with protection status or permanent residency in Ukraine who cannot safely return
Spouses, partners, minor unmarried children, and other close dependent family members who lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022, and left on or after that date

Recent Developments:
Temporary protection was set to expire in March 2025, but Albanian officials have signaled that it will be extended further, reflecting Albania’s ongoing humanitarian commitment. Previously, the status was extended until September 17, 2023, and now continues as the situation in Ukraine remains unstable.

What does temporary protection offer?

Legal right to stay in Albania beyond the standard 90-day visa-free period
Access to employment: Ukrainians can work legally in Albania
Free healthcare: State medical institutions provide care at no cost
Education for children: Ukrainian children can attend local schools and kindergartens
Housing support: Access to free or subsidized accommodation

How to apply:
Ukrainians seeking temporary protection should contact the Albanian authorities upon arrival or as soon as possible. The process typically involves registering with the local police or migration office and providing identification documents.

For official guidance, visit the Albanian State Police Immigration Directorate.

Practical Support for Ukrainians in Albania

Ukrainians with temporary protection can legally work in Albania. The National Employment Agency is the main resource for job seekers, offering listings and support for finding work.

Example:
Dmytro, a Ukrainian IT specialist, registers with the National Employment Agency in Tirana. He receives help updating his CV and is matched with a local tech company looking for software developers.

Housing Options

Several options are available for Ukrainians needing accommodation:

National Center for Asylum Seekers: Offers free housing for refugees.
Humanitarian platforms: Websites like Takecarebnb, Icanhelp, Host4ukraine, and Prykhystok connect refugees with host families and temporary housing.

Scenario:
A Ukrainian family arrives in Albania and, after registering for temporary protection, is offered a place at the National Center for Asylum Seekers. Later, they use Host4ukraine to find a longer-term host family in Durrës.

Access to Education

Children with temporary protection can enroll in Albanian public schools and kindergartens. Parents should apply through the local education office in their area of residence.

Example:
Sofia, age 8, is registered at the local school in Shkodër after her mother presents their temporary protection documents to the school administration.

Healthcare Services

All Ukrainians with temporary protection status are entitled to free medical care at state-run hospitals and clinics.

Example:
Iryna, who has diabetes, receives her medication and regular check-ups at a public clinic in Tirana without charge.

Cost of Living in Albania for Ukrainians

Albania is known for its relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries. Typical monthly expenses include:

Apartment rent: €300-400 for a one-bedroom apartment in city centers
Dining out: €5-10 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant
Public transportation: €0.50-1 per trip

Scenario:
A Ukrainian student rents a small apartment in Vlora for €350 per month, spends about €7 per meal when eating out, and uses local buses to get to university for €1 per ride.

Diplomatic Relations and Security Cooperation

Strengthening Ties

Albania and Ukraine have deepened their relationship in recent years, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine. On January 19, 2024, Albania opened its first embassy in Kyiv, marking a major step in diplomatic engagement since the two countries established relations in 1993.

Security Cooperation Agreement

On January 21, 2024, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the two countries signed a 10-year security cooperation agreement. This agreement covers:

Defense and intelligence sharing
Cybersecurity collaboration
Nuclear safety
Support for EU accession
Albania’s participation in the fighter jet coalition by providing English language training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians

These developments show Albania’s strong support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.

Real-Life Implications for Ukrainians

For Families

The visa-free regime and temporary protection status have allowed many Ukrainian families to find safety and stability in Albania. Children can continue their education, parents can work, and families can access healthcare and housing.

Example:
The Petrov family fled Kharkiv in March 2022. They registered for temporary protection in Albania, enrolled their children in school, and found work in the tourism sector. They now live in Durrës and have built a new community with other Ukrainian families.

For Students

Ukrainian students can enroll in Albanian universities or continue their studies if they have temporary protection. Language barriers may exist, but many institutions offer support for international students.

For Workers

With the right to work, Ukrainians can contribute to the Albanian economy and support themselves. The National Employment Agency and local NGOs help with job placement and training.

What About Albanians Traveling to Ukraine?

Albanian citizens can visit Ukraine visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided they meet the entry requirements. However, due to the ongoing conflict, travelers should check the latest safety advice and entry rules before planning a trip.

For consular support, Albanians can contact:

Embassy in Bucharest (closest to Ukraine)
Consulate General in Istanbul

Community and Support Resources

For Ukrainians in Albania

Embassy of Ukraine in Albania: 1001, Tirana, Rruga Ukraina e Lire (former Donika Kastrioti), 5
Phone: +355 445 055 35 / Hotline: +355 69 489 8865
Community support: Facebook groups and local NGOs provide information, translation help, and social events.

For Albanians Seeking Information on Ukraine

Albanian Embassy in Bucharest: About 585 km from Kyiv
Consulate General in Istanbul: About 830 km from Kyiv

Official Resources

For the most up-to-date information on visa-free travel, temporary protection, and residence permits, visit:

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these reciprocal visa-free arrangements and humanitarian policies have made Albania a key destination for Ukrainians seeking safety and stability during the ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Ukrainian citizens can stay in Albania visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Temporary protection status is available for those fleeing the conflict, offering legal stay, work rights, healthcare, and education.
Albania remains affordable for most expatriates, with reasonable housing and living costs.
Recent diplomatic and security agreements have strengthened ties between Albania and Ukraine.
Albanian citizens can also visit Ukraine visa-free, but should monitor safety conditions.

If you are a Ukrainian citizen planning to travel or stay in Albania:

Check your passport validity and consider travel health insurance.
Register for temporary protection if you plan to stay longer or need humanitarian support.
Contact the Ukrainian Embassy in Tirana for assistance and community connections.
Use official government websites for the latest updates and application forms.

Albania’s extension of visa-free stay for Ukrainian citizens is more than a policy—it’s a lifeline for thousands seeking safety and a testament to the enduring partnership between the two countries.

Learn Today

Visa-Free Stay → A policy allowing citizens to enter and stay in a country without a visa for a limited time.
Temporary Protection Status → Legal status granting refugees rights like residence, work, healthcare, and education during emergencies.
Biometric Passport → A passport containing embedded microchips storing personal and biometric data for secure identification.
Green Card Insurance → An international motor insurance certificate required for vehicles entering Albania by car.
Residence Permit → An official document granting foreign nationals permission to live in a country beyond visa-free periods.

This Article in a Nutshell

Albania extends visa-free travel for Ukrainians until May 2025, supporting humanitarian needs with temporary protection and work rights, while strengthening diplomatic ties through security cooperation and embassy openings, benefiting families, workers, and students during ongoing conflict and migration challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com

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