Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 127 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. QSUT in Tirana is the main ER. English is very limited in public hospitals. Private hospitals in Tirana have English-speaking staff.
Response time: 10-20 minutes in Tirana. 20-40+ minutes in coastal cities. 40-60+ minutes in rural and mountain areas.
Cost: Public ER: ALL 3,000-10,000 (€25-85). Private ER: €50-200. Ambulance: free in cities. Medical evacuation to Corfu or Italy: €5,000-20,000+.
Healthcare System
Albania's healthcare system has improved significantly since the 2010s but remains underfunded compared to EU standards. Tirana has the best facilities: University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa" (QSUT — Qendra Spitalore Universitare "Nënë Tereza") is the main referral hospital. Private clinics in Tirana (Hygeia Hospital Albania, American Hospital Tirana, Salus Hospital) offer modern, English-friendly care and are the recommended choice for visitors. Along the Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Vlorë, Himara), healthcare is basic — serious cases transfer to Tirana or evacuate to Corfu (Greece) or Bari (Italy). Albania is rapidly growing as a tourist destination — the Albanian Riviera, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Tirana are increasingly popular. Medical tourism is emerging for dental and cosmetic work.
Designed for: Albanian residents. Foreign visitors need travel insurance — EHIC NOT valid (not an EU country). Albania is an EU candidate country.
GP Access & Costs
Public system requires registration. Visitors should use private clinics. Private hospitals in Tirana accept walk-ins. Coastal tourist areas have basic health centres (qendër shëndetësore).
Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 1-4+ weeks. Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-3 days.
Availability: Good private options in Tirana. Limited elsewhere. Albanian Riviera: basic health centres only — serious cases go to Tirana. Berat and Gjirokastër: regional hospitals, basic.
GP Visit
Public: free for insured
Private GP
€15-30 per consultation
ER Without Insurance
€25-200 per ER visit
Medication
Medications very affordable. Pharmacies (farmaci) available in all towns. Stock may be limited in rural areas. Bring regular medications from home.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Larger cities have extended hours. Farmaci e gatshme (duty pharmacy) in Tirana.
OTC: Wide range available. Some antibiotics available without prescription. Quality of generics can vary.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions and doctor's letters for all medications. Drug laws are strict — cannabis is illegal despite widespread wild growth.
Practical Tips
- American Hospital Tirana and Hygeia Albania are the best private options — modern, English-speaking
- Buy travel insurance with evacuation cover — especially for Albanian Riviera trips
- QSUT Tirana is the main public hospital — for serious cases this is where you'll go
- Italian can be useful in medical settings — many Albanian doctors trained in Italy or speak Italian
- Bring all regular medications from home — rural pharmacy stock is limited
- Rabies: avoid contact with stray dogs, especially in rural areas
Who can get care in Albania?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Albania treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Public system requires registration. Visitors should use private clinics. Private hospitals in Tirana accept walk-ins. Coastal tourist areas have basic health centres (qendër shëndetësore). Typical cost: Public: free for insured. Private GP: €15-30. Private specialist: €25-60. Dental: €10-40. Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 1-4+ weeks. Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-3 days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: €25-200 per ER visit.
Documents worth having ready
- Passport
- Travel insurance (EHIC NOT valid)
- Prescriptions
- Doctor's letter for medications
Local contacts in Albania
Emergency services
127 (ambulance) / 112 (general emergency) / 128 (fire) / 129 (police)
Call 127 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. QSUT in Tirana is the main ER. English is very limited in public hospitals. Private hospitals in Tirana have English-speaking staff.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm. Larger cities have extended hours. Farmaci e gatshme (duty pharmacy) in Tirana.
Wide range available. Some antibiotics available without prescription. Quality of generics can vary.
What is the emergency number in Albania?
127 (ambulance) or 112 (general emergency) or 128 (fire) or 129 (police) in Albania. Call 127 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. QSUT in Tirana is the main ER. English is very limited in public hospitals. Private hospitals in Tirana have English-speaking staff.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Albania?
Public: free for insured. Private GP: €15-30. Private specialist: €25-60. Dental: €10-40. Private consultations: €15-30 per consultation.
Join the waitlist to see 4 more FAQs
Sources: Albanian Ministry of Health, WHO Albania, European Commission Albania Progress Report
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
Further Reading
Healthcare in United Kingdom
Emergency numbers, Doctor costs and visitor access in United Kingdom.
Read guideHealthcare in Ireland
Emergency numbers, Doctor costs and visitor access in Ireland.
Read guideHealthcare in Germany
Emergency numbers, Doctor costs and visitor access in Germany.
Read guide