{
  "_license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute SKETCH.WORLD (https://sketch.world) and link back if you use this data.",
  "_source": "https://sketch.world/albania",
  "iso2": "AL",
  "name": "Albania",
  "slug": "albania",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-12T18:36:14.273Z",
  "score": 78,
  "verdict": "go-attention",
  "confidence": "high",
  "subscores": {
    "advisoryConsensus": 88.8888888888889,
    "political": 65.2865352,
    "policeTrust": 47.62995,
    "health": 76,
    "crime": 97.22583318365874,
    "lgbtq": 90
  },
  "delta7d": 7,
  "advisories": {
    "disagreement": 1,
    "us": {
      "level": 2,
      "label": "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/albania-travel-advisory.html"
    },
    "uk": {
      "level": 1,
      "summary": "See FCDO advice.",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania"
    },
    "ca": {
      "level": 1,
      "label": "Exercise normal security precautions",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/albania"
    }
  },
  "generated": true,
  "regionFlags": [],
  "health": {
    "notices": [
      {
        "title": "Global Measles",
        "level": 1
      }
    ],
    "vaccines": {
      "required": [],
      "recommended": []
    },
    "tapWater": "unknown"
  },
  "entry": {
    "visaNote": "",
    "passportValidityMonths": 0,
    "sources": []
  },
  "scams": [],
  "laws": [],
  "streetWisdom": {
    "summary": "Travelers identify the primary safety concern in Albania as the road conditions and driving culture rather than street crime. Driving in the region is intense, characterized by an aggressive and erratic style that contrasts sharply with the norms of Western Europe and the United States. While historical perceptions of gang violence persist, current discussions focus on the practical hazards of navigating mountain roads and the stress of long-distance driving. There is no consensus or specific evidence provided regarding food safety or violent crime, suggesting these are not the primary issues for visitors. If you plan to rent a car, prepare for challenging road conditions and a high-intensity driving environment.",
    "quotes": [
      {
        "text": "I am an experienced and generally confident driver, but still quite nervous and hesitant, as I have read that driving in this area can be very intense due to an erratic/aggressive driving style that I am not used to and sometimes poor road conditions.",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1r8bjh5/safe_driving_itinerary_for_macedonia_albania/"
      }
    ],
    "generatedAt": "2026-07-12"
  },
  "localKnowledge": {
    "staySafe": [
      {
        "text": "Albania is generally a safe place to visit but there are some safety precautions you have to take before visiting the country."
      },
      {
        "label": "Stray dogs and rabies",
        "text": "Albania is one of the countries where stray dogs can be a problem."
      },
      {
        "text": "In addition to stray dogs in the cities (especially in Shkoder), in rural areas many places and farms have dogs, but they generally do not tend to leave their premises."
      },
      {
        "text": "Note, as of 2026 the only place maybe providing rabies vaccinations seems to be Instituti i Shëndetit Publik in Tirana."
      }
    ],
    "stayHealthy": [
      {
        "text": "It's best to drink bottled water. Unboiled tap water should be avoided."
      },
      {
        "text": "In summer, insect repellent should be used as mosquitos are very active especially near former swamps and along the Western lowland."
      },
      {
        "text": "Be careful at the beaches because shards of glass and sea urchins are common on the sea floor."
      },
      {
        "text": "Pharmacies and other stores are closed from about 12:00-16:00. Health clinics in small towns or village areas are not well equipped, so trips to nearby cities can be expected."
      },
      {
        "text": "Many Albanians smoke cigarettes. The government has banned smoking in restaurants but this is not enfored."
      }
    ],
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Albania"
  },
  "recentHeadlines": [],
  "whatChanged": "Albania's Sketch Score climbed to 78 today, but the US advisory remains at level 2 while the UK and Canada hold at level 1. Watch for the global measles notice before you book your flight.",
  "practical": {
    "plug": [
      "C",
      "F"
    ],
    "voltage": 230,
    "drivingSide": "right",
    "emergency": {
      "police": "129",
      "ambulance": "127",
      "fire": "128"
    },
    "simAdvice": "",
    "cashVsCard": "",
    "tipping": ""
  },
  "lgbtqLegal": {
    "status": "legal",
    "summary": "Legal since 1995 + UN decl. sign.",
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory"
  },
  "receipts": [
    {
      "sourceId": "us-state",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/albania-travel-advisory.html",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "uk-fcdo",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "ca-gac",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/albania",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-political",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_PV.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-policeTrust",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_RL.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "cdc-health",
      "url": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "wikivoyage",
      "url": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Albania",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "reddit",
      "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "unodc",
      "url": "https://data.unodc.org/datareport/hom-victim",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "acled-hdx",
      "url": "https://data.humdata.org/organization/acled",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "lgbtq-legal-wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    }
  ]
}