Albania is geographically part of Europe, but not part of the Schengen area or the European Union. Albania is one of the countries that are currently allowed to enter the Schengen area without a visa. This will change next year, when the ETIAS entry system will become mandatory for these countries. What may seem a little laborious at first glance is actually a small amount of work. Filling it out is expected to take only a few minutes. In return, tourists can feel safe in the Schengen area.
Important data on Albania
Albania is a small country in south-eastern Europe. The country has borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia and Greece. To the west are the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
The capital of Albania is Tirana. About 2.8 million people live on an area of 28 748 square kilometres. The nominal gross national product in 2020 was 15 billion US dollars. The country has been a candidate for accession to the European Union since 2014. It is also a member of the United Nations, NATO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, CEFTA, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
A brief history of Albania
From the end of the 15th century, Albania belonged to the Ottoman Empire for more than 400 years. During this time, most Albanians converted to Islam. It was not until 1912 that Albania became independent and was recognised under international law the following year. The next few years were characterised by chaos, as the new state was still quite unstable. Among other things, there was an uprising of Muslims against the new government and Greece occupied some areas in the south of the country. Albania was neutral in the First World War, but was nevertheless occupied.
In 1920, Albania adopted its first democratic constitution at the Congress of Lushnja, soon after which the country was admitted to the League of Nations. In 1921, the country received back the territories occupied by Greece.
In the first five years there were many different governments in Albania. Bishop Fan Noll wanted to establish a democratic republic, but was unsuccessful. From 1925 onwards, Albania was apparently democratic, but in reality it was a dictatorship. In 1928, Ahmet Zogu had himself crowned King of Albania. Zogu ruled authoritatively from 1925 to 1939. In 1939, Italy and Benito Mussolini occupied Albania until September 1943, after which the occupying power changed to Germany. In 1944, foreign rule ended and conditions were as they had been before the war.
Enver Hoxha established a dictatorship as leader of the Communist Party, which soon entered into an alliance with Yugoslavia under Tito. However, this alliance broke up as early as 1948, whereupon Albania aligned itself more closely with the Soviet Union and even became a member of the Warsaw Pact in 1955. In 1961, this alliance also ended, whereupon Albania aligned itself with the People's Republic of China.
In 1968, Albania left the Warsaw Pact, but remained communist. Enver Hoxha died in 1985, and five years later the communist dictatorship was overthrown.
The subsequent social transformation was not without problems; famine could only be avoided with foreign aid. The first free elections were held in 1991.
After the lottery uprising in 1997, the state structures collapsed and the country had to start anew. In 1998, the country gave itself a new constitution. In 2009, Albania became a member of NATO. Since 2010, citizens of Albania only need a passport to enter the Schengen area. Since 2014, Albania has been a candidate for membership of the European Union and accession negotiations have been underway since 2018.
The Albanian political system
Albania is a parliamentary democracy. The parliament in Albania is called Kuvendi i Shqipërisë and consists of 140 members who are elected every four years. The government consists of the prime minister and ministers. Since 2000 there has been a constitutional court, similar to the one in Germany. The head of state is the president, who is elected for five years.
Entering the Schengen area from Albania with ETIAS
As ETIAS is not yet part of the Schengen area, citizens of the country are expected to have to fill out an ETIAS application from November 2023. The form is not yet online, but it is believed that it will be modelled on the similar ESTA form for travel to the US. It is expected to be valid for three years.
ETIAS can only be filled out via the internet. No ID is required, nor is it necessary to appear in person at the consulate. This requires special care when filling it out, because mistakes are not recognised. If, for example, the passport number is wrong, the application is invalid, which many only discover at the airport. It is then not possible to travel with them; a new ETIAS must first be approved. This is possible within a short time, but in the meantime the plane is already on its way to the Schengen area.
When filling out an application, the first country of travel must be indicated. This is binding, but for further journeys the destination country is optional. Entry is possible for 90 days within a 180-day period.
Normally, the authorities approve the application within a few hours. However, it may take longer in individual cases. It is advisable to submit the ETIAS in good time, as this is the only way to ensure that the document is available in time for entry.
Although ETIAS is a necessary requirement for entry into the Schengen area, it is not a guarantee. If the border official feels that the traveller poses a threat to security, he can and will refuse entry.
Conclusion
Many people in Albania have mixed feelings about ETIAS. This is completely unjustified, as the amount of work involved is limited. What travellers gain in return is security. Time and again, terrorists enter the Schengen area from abroad. To prevent this, the Schengen states are introducing ETIAS.
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Albania is geographically part of Europe, but not part of the Schengen area or the European Union. Albania is one of the countries that are currently allowed to enter the Schengen area without a visa. This will change next year, when the ETIAS entry system will become mandatory for these countries. What may seem a little laborious at first glance is actually a small amount of work. Filling it out is expected to take only a few minutes. In return, tourists can feel safe in the Schengen area.
Important data on Albania
Albania is a small country in south-eastern Europe. The country has borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia and Greece. To the west are the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
The capital of Albania is Tirana. About 2.8 million people live on an area of 28 748 square kilometres. The nominal gross national product in 2020 was 15 billion US dollars. The country has been a candidate for accession to the European Union since 2014. It is also a member of the United Nations, NATO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, CEFTA, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
A brief history of Albania
From the end of the 15th century, Albania belonged to the Ottoman Empire for more than 400 years. During this time, most Albanians converted to Islam. It was not until 1912 that Albania became independent and was recognised under international law the following year. The next few years were characterised by chaos, as the new state was still quite unstable. Among other things, there was an uprising of Muslims against the new government and Greece occupied some areas in the south of the country. Albania was neutral in the First World War, but was nevertheless occupied.
In 1920, Albania adopted its first democratic constitution at the Congress of Lushnja, soon after which the country was admitted to the League of Nations. In 1921, the country received back the territories occupied by Greece.
In the first five years there were many different governments in Albania. Bishop Fan Noll wanted to establish a democratic republic, but was unsuccessful. From 1925 onwards, Albania was apparently democratic, but in reality it was a dictatorship. In 1928, Ahmet Zogu had himself crowned King of Albania. Zogu ruled authoritatively from 1925 to 1939. In 1939, Italy and Benito Mussolini occupied Albania until September 1943, after which the occupying power changed to Germany. In 1944, foreign rule ended and conditions were as they had been before the war.
Enver Hoxha established a dictatorship as leader of the Communist Party, which soon entered into an alliance with Yugoslavia under Tito. However, this alliance broke up as early as 1948, whereupon Albania aligned itself more closely with the Soviet Union and even became a member of the Warsaw Pact in 1955. In 1961, this alliance also ended, whereupon Albania aligned itself with the People's Republic of China.
In 1968, Albania left the Warsaw Pact, but remained communist. Enver Hoxha died in 1985, and five years later the communist dictatorship was overthrown.
The subsequent social transformation was not without problems; famine could only be avoided with foreign aid. The first free elections were held in 1991.
After the lottery uprising in 1997, the state structures collapsed and the country had to start anew. In 1998, the country gave itself a new constitution. In 2009, Albania became a member of NATO. Since 2010, citizens of Albania only need a passport to enter the Schengen area. Since 2014, Albania has been a candidate for membership of the European Union and accession negotiations have been underway since 2018.
The Albanian political system
Albania is a parliamentary democracy. The parliament in Albania is called Kuvendi i Shqipërisë and consists of 140 members who are elected every four years. The government consists of the prime minister and ministers. Since 2000 there has been a constitutional court, similar to the one in Germany. The head of state is the president, who is elected for five years.
Entering the Schengen area from Albania with ETIAS
As ETIAS is not yet part of the Schengen area, citizens of the country are expected to have to fill out an ETIAS application from November 2023. The form is not yet online, but it is believed that it will be modelled on the similar ESTA form for travel to the US. It is expected to be valid for three years.
ETIAS can only be filled out via the internet. No ID is required, nor is it necessary to appear in person at the consulate. This requires special care when filling it out, because mistakes are not recognised. If, for example, the passport number is wrong, the application is invalid, which many only discover at the airport. It is then not possible to travel with them; a new ETIAS must first be approved. This is possible within a short time, but in the meantime the plane is already on its way to the Schengen area.
When filling out an application, the first country of travel must be indicated. This is binding, but for further journeys the destination country is optional. Entry is possible for 90 days within a 180-day period.
Normally, the authorities approve the application within a few hours. However, it may take longer in individual cases. It is advisable to submit the ETIAS in good time, as this is the only way to ensure that the document is available in time for entry.
Although ETIAS is a necessary requirement for entry into the Schengen area, it is not a guarantee. If the border official feels that the traveller poses a threat to security, he can and will refuse entry.
Conclusion
Many people in Albania have mixed feelings about ETIAS. This is completely unjustified, as the amount of work involved is limited. What travellers gain in return is security. Time and again, terrorists enter the Schengen area from abroad. To prevent this, the Schengen states are introducing ETIAS.