Albania

Key points for young drivers:

• Motorway 110 km/h, main intercity roads 90, other roads outside built-up areas 80, in built-up areas only 40 km/h.
• Alcohol: limit 0.2 ‰ – tougher rules for young drivers were passed in 2026, so drive on zero.
• Green Card compulsory.
• Not your car? Written authorisation in English (from a private person – certified by a notary).
• After dark, watch out for unlit pedestrians, cyclists and open manholes.

Seat belts and child seats

The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.

We have not confirmed the rules for carrying children in official sources – carry children in a child seat suited to their height and weight.

Traffic lights

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

Helmet not compulsory

No data in official sources.

Helmet compulsory

Riding without a helmet can get you a fine, but we have not confirmed the details (exactly who it applies to). Always wear a helmet on a motorcycle or scooter.

Compulsory equipment in the car

No confirmed list in official sources.

Note: check the compulsory equipment before you travel on the Albanian State Police website.

Compulsory equipment on a bike

No specific requirements in the sources.

Winter tyres and snow chains

No data in official sources.

Note: if you are driving into the mountains in winter, check the rules before you travel on the Albanian State Police website.

Phone, drugs and other bans

• Phone: using a phone while driving is illegal.
• Alcohol: limit 0.2 ‰. From 0.2 to 0.5 ‰ you are “under the influence”, above 0.5 ‰ you count as drunk.
• Had your licence for less than 3 years? Speeding by more than 20 km/h can get your licence suspended for 3–6 months.
• In built-up areas the limit is only 40 km/h.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

The official sources we checked contain no information on road tolls.

Note: check the latest information before you travel at Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Albania (in Polish).

Documents and insurance

• A Green Card is compulsory (Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PBUK) – get it from your insurer before you travel.
• Company, leased or borrowed car: you need written authorisation in English, made out in your name, from the company, the leasing company or the owner; from a private person it must be certified by a notary.
• Official sources give no details on whether your driving licence is valid here – take it with you together with your vehicle registration certificate, and check with your country’s foreign ministry before you travel.

What to watch out for

• Take special care after dark: there are unlit pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists on the roads.
• There may be unmarked and unlit obstacles on the road – open manholes, fallen rocks.
• Note: in June 2026 the Albanian parliament passed tougher traffic rules, also for novice drivers (including on alcohol). Before you travel, check on the Albanian State Police website whether the changes are already in force – and ideally drive on 0.0 ‰.

Sources

• DPSHTRR (Albanian road transport directorate) – offences and rules
• PBUK – Green Card (in Polish)
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Albania (in Polish)
• Last updated: September 2026.