No, Albania is not in the Schengen Area. Albania is an EU candidate country, but it has not joined the Schengen zone as of 2026. This means Albania has its own visa and border control rules, separate from the Schengen system that covers most of Western and Central Europe.
This matters for trip planning because days spent in Albania do not count toward your Schengen 90/180-day limit — and vice versa.
Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Albania in Schengen? | No |
| Is Albania in the EU? | No (EU candidate country since 2014) |
| Does Albania require a visa? | Depends on nationality — many countries are visa-free for up to 90 days |
| Do Albania days count toward Schengen 90/180? | No — separate system |
| Border controls with Greece? | Yes — full passport checks at every crossing |
| Currency | Albanian Lek (ALL), not Euro |
What This Means for Travelers
Separate Visa Regime
Albania runs its own visa policy. Whether you need a visa for Albania is determined by your passport nationality under Albanian rules, not Schengen rules. Many nationalities (US, UK, EU, Canadian, Australian) can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
For full details: Albania Visa Requirements 2026
Your 90/180 Days Are Counted Separately
This is the most important practical implication. If you've spent 80 days traveling around Schengen countries (France, Italy, Greece, Spain, etc.), you can still enter Albania for up to 90 additional days. Albania's clock runs independently.
Example scenario:
- You spend 60 days in Italy and Greece (Schengen time used: 60/90)
- You cross into Albania and spend 30 days on the Albanian Riviera (Albania time used: 30/90)
- You return to Greece — your Schengen counter is still at 60/90, not 90/90
This makes Albania a valuable destination for long-term travelers who need to "pause" their Schengen clock.
Border Crossings Involve Passport Control
Every crossing between Albania and its Schengen neighbors (Greece) involves full passport checks on both sides. This applies whether you're:
- Driving across the Kakavia border crossing between Albania and Greece
- Taking the Saranda to Corfu ferry (30-minute crossing, but full passport control)
- Using any other land border crossing
There is no "open border" like you'd experience crossing between France and Germany.
Day Trips to Greece from the Albanian Riviera
Many travelers based on the Albanian Riviera take day trips to Corfu (Greece) via the Saranda–Corfu ferry. When you step onto the ferry to Corfu, you are entering the Schengen Area.
Key implications:
- Your Schengen 90/180-day counter starts (or resumes) when you enter Greece
- Non-EU travelers will receive a Schengen entry stamp
- The day trip counts as one day of Schengen time used
- When you return to Albania the same evening, you exit Schengen
For non-EU travelers who have already used most of their Schengen days, be aware that even a day trip to Corfu uses one Schengen day.
Albania's EU and Schengen Path
Albania opened EU accession negotiations in 2020 and has been an EU candidate since 2014. Joining the EU does not automatically mean joining Schengen — these are separate processes. Bulgaria and Romania were EU members for over 15 years before joining Schengen in 2024-2025.
Timeline outlook: There is no confirmed date for Albania's EU accession or Schengen membership. Most analysts expect EU accession is still several years away, and Schengen membership would follow after that. For planning purposes, treat Albania as outside both the EU and Schengen for the foreseeable future.
Practical Implications for Trip Planning
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Long Europe trip | Use Albania as a Schengen break — days here don't count toward your 90 |
| Combining Greece + Albania | Track Schengen days (Greece) and Albania days separately |
| Day trip to Corfu | Remember this uses one Schengen day |
| Driving from Greece | Budget 30-60 minutes for border crossing at Kakavia |
| Flying to Albania | Tirana airport is not a Schengen entry point — separate passport control |
| Travel insurance | Verify your policy covers Albania specifically (some "Europe" policies only cover Schengen) |
Common Misconceptions
"Albania is in Europe, so Schengen rules apply"
No. Being geographically in Europe doesn't mean a country is in the Schengen Area. Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia, and Serbia are all in Europe but outside Schengen.
"My Schengen visa covers Albania"
It does not. A Schengen visa grants access to Schengen member states only. Albania has its own visa regime. However, many nationalities that can enter Schengen visa-free can also enter Albania visa-free — the rules just happen to overlap for common passport types.
"Days in Albania count toward my Schengen limit"
They do not. This is actually good news for long-term travelers: Albania time is "free" from a Schengen counting perspective.
FAQ
Is Albania joining Schengen soon?
No confirmed timeline exists. Albania must first join the EU (accession negotiations are ongoing since 2020), and Schengen membership is a separate process after that. For 2026-2027 planning, treat Albania as definitively outside Schengen.
Do I need separate visas for Albania and Greece?
It depends on your nationality. Many passport holders (US, UK, EU, Canadian, Australian) can enter both countries visa-free for short tourist stays. But the rules are technically separate — check both Albanian and Schengen requirements for your specific nationality. See our Albania visa requirements guide.
Can I use Albania to reset my Schengen 90-day clock?
Time spent in Albania does not count toward your Schengen 90/180-day limit, so yes — Albania can serve as a destination during Schengen "pauses." However, the Schengen 90/180 is a rolling window, not a simple reset. You still need to track your total Schengen days within any 180-day period.
Is it easy to cross between Albania and Greece?
The border crossings work but involve full passport control on both sides. The Saranda–Corfu ferry is the fastest option (30 minutes). Driving via Kakavia takes 30-60 minutes at the border plus driving time. Allow extra time in peak summer.
Do I need different currencies for Albania and Greece?
Yes. Albania uses the Albanian Lek (ALL), and Greece uses the Euro (EUR). ATMs are available in both countries. Many Albanian tourist businesses accept euros informally, but you'll get better rates paying in lek.
