How to Travel With a Dog To Albania: Complete Guide
If you want to know how to travel with your dog to Albania, you have come to the right place. My dog has travelled to and from Albania many times. He’s also travelled extensively around Albania.
We’re Canadian and travel between Toronto and Albania often, but we’ve also travelled into and out of Albania from India, Greece, Kosovo and Montenegro.
I’m going to cover how to get into Albania with a dog, how to travel around once you’re there, how to exit Albania with a dog, and useful tips about accommodation, where you can take your dog, pet safety and pet care in Albania.
How to Travel With a Dog To, From and Around Albania
My dog travels with me all the time, and Albania is one of the easier countries to get him into. I also find it easy to travel around Albania with him.
He is 4 kg and fits into a little carrier, so that helps, but even if you have a larger dog it’s not that difficult to travel around Albania.
Entry Requirements for Albania
I really like the website PetTravel.com for checking the entry rules for different countries. It’s always my first stop when researching how to get my dog Watson into a different country.
These are the current entry regulations for Albania:
- Your dog must be microchipped (15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip).
- Valid 1 year rabies vaccine (Albania does not recognize the 3 year rabies vaccination).
- Rabies titer is not required to enter Albania, but because Albania is classified as a high risk rabies country, you may need a titer test to get back into your home country, or travel onwards. Advance planning is required – the whole process can take 3-6 months.
- Parasite treatment is required 24-72 hours before arrival in Albania. Check this timeline with your local vet.
- Health Certificate prepared by your vet within 10 days of travel. It must be endorsed by the government veterinarian. In Canada this is the Canada Food Inspection Agency. In the US the certificate must be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian.
- Quarantine is not required if your dog meets the above criteria.
How to Enter Albania With a Dog
You can enter Albania by flight, car, bus or ferry with a dog. I’ve done all of these with my dog Watson.
By Flight
Immigration is automated at the Tirana Airport, and nobody has ever checked Watson’s paperwork. His paperwork is always checked by the airline at the departure airport.
My dog flies in cabin because he’s small. Not every airline allows this, but many do. You have to book this ahead, and I recommend doing it when or right after you book your own ticket. There is a limit to the number of pets in cabin on each flight.
By Car
Watson has travelled in and out of Albania by car a few times. We’ve done private transfers (with Taxi Landi) and also self-drive in a rental car.
My experience is that border control rarely check his paperwork, and if they do it’s usually a cursory glance. You still have to make sure you have the right paperwork to enter the destination country, because you never know how closely or if they will check it.
The last time I drove over the border was into Kosovo. Watson was sitting on my lap (clearly visible) and the immigration officer didn’t ask for any of his documents.
By Bus
Albania is pretty easy going when it comes to bringing a dog on a bus, but I have had mixed experiences bringing Watson on international buses that are not originating in Albania.
It seems to be up to the driver in most cases. What I do now is buy two tickets (one for me, one for the dog), and keep him in his carrier. I sit away from the driver, and while I don’t try to conceal him – I also don’t advertise that I have a dog. I sit in a single seat and keep his carrier on my lap.
The same thing at border control. I have all the correct paperwork in case I’m asked for it, but I keep him in his carrier over my shoulder, zipped up. Not hiding him, but not displaying him either.
By Ferry
You can enter Albania from Greece and Italy by ferry, and most ferries allow pets. Double check on the ferry company website ahead of time, but the ones I’ve checked do allow it.
We’ve travelled from Corfu, Greece to Saranda, Albania by ferry.
I basically do the same thing at the ferry border control as at the bus border control. I make sure I have all the proper paperwork, but don’t advertise I have a dog.
How to Travel Around Albania with a Dog
It’s easy to travel around Albania with a dog. Watson and I use the buses (furgon) extensively, as well as local city buses. It has never been an issue. I don’t even pay extra for him. I just keep him in his carrier on my lap.
Larger dogs probably won’t be allowed on buses. You might have to use private transfers or rent cars to travel around Albania.
We’ve also driven in Albania using rental cars from DiscoverCars.com, and a private rental through my Airbnb host when I couldn’t find a local rental company in Pogradec. No problems with either. I always show up with the dog in his carrier, or in his shoulder bag/pouch.
If you have a bigger dog that won’t fit into a carrier, I recommend asking the rental company if it’s okay ahead of time.
And lastly, we’ve taken private transfers using Taxi Landi (contact listed below in Pet Travel Resources), and taxis. I always have Watson in his carrier or his shoulder bag/pouch.
Finding Dog Friendly Accommodation
I’ve had good luck in Albania. My dog is small, so that definitely helps, but I know people who have 2 dogs and travel around Albania too.
Almost all of my accommodations are through Airbnb. I cannot even tell you how many different Airbnbs I’ve stayed at in Albania with Watson – at least a dozen.
What I do is message the host before I book and ask if I can bring my dog. I mention he’s small and very good – doesn’t mess in the house or chew anything (all true). Most of the time they say yes, even if the Airbnb listing says no pets.
It helps that I have really good reviews on Airbnb. And Watson is very well behaved and quiet.
I have also booked a couple of hotels in Albania with the dog (I message ahead of time to ask for permission, even if the listing say dogs allowed). But usually I’m booking Airbnbs because I’m there for more than a couple of days and want a kitchen.
How to Keep Your Dog Safe in Albania
Albania is fairly safe for pet dogs, but there are a couple of things you should be aware of.
Poison: Unfortunately, some locals put down poison for the stray dogs. I’ve seen cases of this in Saranda and Gjirokaster, and it happens in other places.
As a dog owner you have to be extra vigilant that your dog doesn’t eat anything off the street.
Local treatment of dogs varies. I hear stories of puppies being found in dumpsters, but I also see lots of locals putting out food and water for the neighbourhood strays.
Locals have definitely always been friendly with my dog, often commenting on his size and trying to get his attention.
Stray dogs: There are stray dogs – some areas have more than others. Generally speaking they are not aggressive. I keep a close eye when we approach strays and watch their body language carefully. If I’m not sure, I just scoop up Watson and walk on.
Fleas & Ticks: Albania has both. I always keep my dog on flea and tick medication when in Albania (the kind you administer monthly). The good news is it’s really cheap in Albania. So buy it over there.
Water: Most tap water is not potable in Albania. In Tirana, and along the Albanian Riviera you cannot drink the tap water. But you can drink it some destinations if they have a mountain source, like Berat. You might have to give your dog bottled water.
Where Can You Take Your Dog?
I bring Watson just about everywhere I go, if it’s not too hot. Outdoor activities and attractions (including UNESCO Butrint National Park), the beach, restaurants and shops.
He is little, so in shops and indoor sites I put him in his carry pouch. He’s been in grocery stores, pastry shops, museums, and a slew of other places.
In restaurants and cafes I sit outside with him, though a couple of restaurants have said it was okay to sit inside with him too. Nobody has ever complained.
Once I joined several other expat dog people for an excursion with our dogs, and after we went into a Saranda restaurant with an enclosed verandah to eat. We had 7 dogs between us.
Religious sites might not be suitable for a dog. Mosques definitely won’t allow a dog, but I have brought Watson into a couple of churches (in his pouch). I generally try not to bring him into churches or other religious sites out of respect.
Vet Care & Pet Supplies
I’ve had good luck so far with vet care in Albania. Watson only got sick once when we were in Vlore, and I found a good vet there that treated him (Klinika Veterinare Sinani).
Usually I’m going to vets in Albania for travel paperwork, or to pick up flea and tick medicine.
There are pet shops all over that sell dog food and other supplies. They seem to carry all the usual brands. I make Watson’s food, but I buy those small packs of Royal Canin for travel days.
Here are the vets I have personally used in Albania:
- O&B Vet Clinic: Rruga Sami Frasheri 32, Tirana
- Klinike Veterinare Edi: Bulevardi Zogu I, Shkoder
- Klinika Veterinare Sinani: Rruga Irfan Sherhu, Vlore
- Pet Care Veterinary Clinic Sarande: Rruga Gjergj Araniti, Saranda
When to Go to Albania With Your Dog
The best times are shoulder and off season. Summers get very hot – the temperature can surpass 40 C (104 F), and we all know that’s not good for dogs (or their humans).
When it’s hot, I leave Watson in the Airbnb with the AC. He’s happier there than being overheated outdoors.
How to Exit Albania with a Dog
It’s easy to exit Albania with your dog, but you need a health certificate prepared by the government. This regulation came into effect in June 2025.
And as luck would have it, I had to get Watson’s travel papers the day after the new rule came out. It was a lot of unexpected running around to find the correct government office, but now the new regulation has been in place for a while it seems like things are running more smoothly.
I’ve gone through this new procedure a few times, in Tirana and Shkoder.
In Tirana
The vet I use (O&B Vet Clinic) examines the pet and administers the anti-parasite treatment (must be administered 24-72 hours before departure).
You then have to take all the papers (pet passport, rabies titer test results, your passport) to the government office near Rruga Reshit Petrela (photos above). They are open 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. Your dog does not need to go with you.
They will prepare the travel documents for you. Before you get your documents, you will have to go to the bank with a form they give you and pay 500 lek ($6 USD) plus the bank fee (you’ll need your passport for this). The bank will issue a receipt, and you have to give that to the government office when you pick up the documents.
I go to Raiffeisen Bank on Rruga Ferit Xhajko because it’s close to the government office, and that’s where they told me to go the first time I did this.
Give yourself an extra day to get your dog’s papers. The first time I went the woman that does the paperwork was ‘on leave,’ and I had to go back the next day. The second time, the woman was not in until 1 pm that day, so I had to go back the next morning.
One traveller told me his Tirana vet did all of this for him and he did not have to go to the government office at all. I strongly advise you visit the vet in advance and find out what their procedure is.
In Shkoder
I travelled to Kosovo from Shkoder with Watson and had to get his paperwork done there. I went to Klinike Veterinare Edi, and the vet went to the government office for me. I picked everything up the next day from him. I think he charged me 2500 lek ($30 USD).
Pet travel documents are usually valid 7-10 days, but check the rules for your destination country.
Pet Travel Resources
Here are the different websites and companies I’ve used when travelling with my dog in Albania. They might be helpful for you too.
Airbnb: Accommodation rental platform. I use them almost exclusively when booking accommodation for me and my dog.
Taxi Landi: Offers transfers in Albania and to nearby countries. They are really good about pets.
PetTravel.com: Excellent resource for current pet entry requirements of different countries.
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention: The US regulatory body that oversees regulations for importing dogs into the US (including those returning to the US).
Pets Around the World: My friends Emily and Chris travel all over the world with their dogs and share lots of practical information on their website.
Last Words on How to Travel With Your Dog To Albania: Complete Guide
Lots of people travel with their dogs in Albania. The first time I was in Saranda I met a whole bunch of American nomads that all had dogs travelling with them. The second time I was in Saranda, there was an Italian woman in the unit next door to me travelling with her small dog.
And while many of the dog people I met had their own vehicles, not all of them did and they still managed to travel where they wanted. I don’t have a car and have been all over Albania with my dog. Travelling with a dog in Albania is very manageable.
