PassportSouth Africa

Albania: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Albania. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Visa required, applied for online (e-visa). Exception: South Africans holding a valid, multiple-entry, previously used Schengen visa, or a valid US or UK multiple-entry visa or residence permit previously used in that country, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in 180.1234

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism, business, family visits on a type C short-stay visa. Airport transit visa (type A) also exists.15

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Passport validity

Not published by official sources

How to apply

Apply online at the official portal e-visa.al (linked from the Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, punetejashtme.gov.al), upload documents, then the application is decided by an Albanian consular office. Visa issued within 15 days of acceptance, exceptionally up to 30 days. Fee is set on reciprocity (Council of Ministers Decision 569/2018); amount for South Africans not displayed (country table is dynamic). Fee waived for children under 6. Visa-free alternative: valid multiple-entry and previously used Schengen visa, or valid US/UK visa or residence permit previously used, for up to 90 days in 180.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Online via e-visa.al. Albania has no embassy or consulate in South Africa (MFA mission list); the nearest Albanian embassy in Africa is in Cairo, Egypt. The e-visa system routes the file to the competent consular office.16

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

None required. Not a yellow fever risk country.

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Visa fee waived for children under 6. No other minor-specific rule found.1

Confirmed on an official government source

What changed

15 April 2026Albania applied a temporary visa waiver for certain nationalities from 15 April to 31 December 2026 (seasonal measure renewed annually). South Africa does not appear to be among them.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania punetejashtme.gov.al
  2. 5Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania (visa regime table) punetejashtme.gov.al
  3. 6Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania (missions abroad) punetejashtme.gov.al

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 2Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

  1. 4visarequirements.info visarequirements.info

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.