SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Albanians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Albanian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Albanians will need an ETIAS authorisation for the Schengen area.

Needs ETIAS?
Yes
Cost
€20
Validity
3 yrs
From
Q4 2026

Albania's citizens have travelled visa-free to the Schengen area since December 2010, when the Western Balkans visa liberalisation was extended to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Biometric-passport holders are covered, and that is exactly why ETIAS will apply to them.

Albania is an EU candidate but remains outside Schengen, so your days at home do not count - the 90/180 rule applies only inside the Schengen area. ETIAS is a fast online authorisation, not a visa.

A biometric passport is essential

Albania's visa exemption applies to holders of biometric Albanian passports; older non-biometric documents are not covered. Albania is also a non-Schengen country in its own right, which can be a useful place to wait while Schengen days roll off. Ensure your biometric passport is valid for at least three months beyond your departure from Europe.

How Albanians will apply

When ETIAS launches, Albanians will apply online on the official EU portal, pay €20 (free under 18 or over 70), and receive an authorisation linked to their passport for up to 3 years. It is not a visa - see what ETIAS is and how it differs from a visa.

ETIAS gets Albanians to the border; it does not extend the stay. Check how many days are left with the free 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do Albanians need ETIAS?

Yes. Albanian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Albanians will need an ETIAS authorisation for the Schengen area.

How much will ETIAS cost Albanians?

€20 per application, free for travellers under 18 or over 70. One authorisation lasts up to 3 years. See ETIAS cost.

When will Albanians need ETIAS from?

From the launch of ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026. No exact date is set yet - track it on the ETIAS start date page.

Does ETIAS change the 90-day limit for Albanians?

No. ETIAS lets you travel, but the 90/180-day rule still caps short stays at 90 days in any 180. Plan it with the 90/180 calculator.

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