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Getting Settled in Albania Housing
Given the fast increasing influx of Foreign and Aid Agencies, Embassies, Private Companies etc., it may be difficult to identify suitable housing accommodation, although the choice of flats has increased considerably in the past two years. There are also several Real Estate Companies that will not charge fee for their services. UN international staff to be assigned to the country should expect to stay a few weeks at the hotel before they can find permanent accommodation at reasonable level. They should therefore not plan on bringing their family with them until they have been able to secure adequate housing. It is worth mentioning that a market is emerging where Albanians rent furnished apartments (average 40-60 square meters) to foreigners. The present price is in the range of US$ 700 to US$ 1000 per month with an increasing trend and the apartments are generally of average standard. Few houses owned by Albanians are also offered for rent, and the prices may vary, starting at not less than US$ 1000 for an old house, and refurbishment would be needed. The electric household equipment is included in the rent. Furniture can be easily found and with diversity of styles and qualities. Electrical household equipment and appliances imported from Greece, Italy or Turkey, are available in Tirana, such as ovens, four burner cookers, washing machines and refrigerators (can be available in the apartments). TV sets radios and videos are also available and the prices are reasonable. Household and garden help is available. Daily rate for domestic services is about leks 700 for half-day and leks 1400 for full day. This normally comprises the contribution for social security (19%). It is difficult to find housekeepers/gardeners who speak fluently English or French. Working week is five days. Piped water is available in apartments/houses; however supply is irregular. Since the water supply is not treated and not filtered, it is recommended that all drinking water be boiled. The electric power supply is normally 220 volts AC 50 cycles. Power failures and low voltage are very frequent during the year - depending on the area - that can damage the equipment. So it is a good idea to bring electric current regulators Garbage collection service is irregular and non-existent in some areas. Telephone, fax services have improved to a certain extent. Telephone installation is not easy to obtain and the installation cost could be in the range of US$ 150. Mobile telephone service is available, though expensive Telephone charges fall in three main categories: Zone 1 (Italy, Greece, Macedonia/FYR) Zone 2 (European, Mediterranean Countries) Zone 3 (Extraeuropean Countries) and are applied by number of impulses, but costs are rather ad hoc and complex to understand. There are several public payphones with most of international lines in Tirana. IDD is available to major towns. Country code is+ 355. City codes are: Tirana +42, Durres +52, Elbasan+ 545, Shkodra+ 224, Gjirokastra +726, Korca+ 824, Fieri +642, Berati +62 and Vlora +63. The Post - offices works from morning till night. They carry out different services such as posting of letters, parcels, telegrams, telephonic calls, faxes, telexes, video information. The DHL offices carry out their activity in Tirana and Durres, performing very fast services between Albania and other countries. The time -table is every day from 8:00am to 5:00 pm. There are also offices of TNT, UPS and EMS. The state manages Post-Telecommunications. Tourist hotels have Telecommunication services. The postal and telecommunication system is in the process of extensive modernization. Private cars have been brought into the country. Many of the cars available in the country are imported second hand from other European countries. It is advisable for the foreigners to bring their own cars by ferry or they can order from Denmark (IAPSO and other private firms take less than a month with reasonable prices). Car dealers in the country such as Benz, Opel and Volkswagen offer high prices and a limited stich of models. Four-wheel drive vehicles are not recommended due to frequent armed theft of such vehicles. Maintenance is available in the country, however spare parts are difficult to obtain and may have to be ordered. Alternatively, cars can be sent to Ioanina (Greece) ( 1 hour from the border of Kakavija or 5-6 hours drive from Tirana). The quality of the petrol or diesel is not always reliable. Car theft is very common; it is advisable not to leave a car unattended in the street. There are around 18 thousand-km roads in Albania. 7450 km are considered as main roads, most of them are in bad conditions. Normal rules and international road signs apply. Driving is on the right side of the road. Any valid driving license can be used. Air traffic has been significally limited following the start of the Kosovo conflict in March 1999. The following airlines serve Tirana as follows:
ADA Air Athens Malev Budapest Adria Ljubljana Hemusair Sofia Olympic Airways Athens Turkish Arlines Istanbul Albanian Airlines Rome Albanian Airlines Bologna There is no airport tax payable at Tirana airport for holders of UNLP, and no currency declaration is required. The airport is located in Rinas about 25 km (18 miles) from Tirana. It takes you 30-45 minutes to drive from and to the city. depending on the traffic. There is a Duty Free Shop at the airport. The airline offices are situated in the center of the city. Taxi services are available from the city to the airport and vice versa (20-25 USD). Travel by road to the neighboring countries could be undertaken from Tirana in: 6 hours to reach the city of Ioanina (Greece), via Gjirokastra and through the Kakavia border. 4 hours to reach Macedonia, via Pogradec. UNDP could provide visitors on official missions with transportation to and from the airport upon request. There are international private bus services between Tirana and Istanbul, Tirana-Sofia, Tirana- Shkup, Tirana-Athens, Korca-Thesaloniki. There are special parking places either near the hotels or at other certain areas. The main ports of Albania are Durres, Vlora and Saranda. Durres has ship and ferry connections to cities in Italy as Bari (3 - 4hours), Brindisi, (23 hours), Otranto, etc. and with Slovenia (Koper-Durres, 22 hours). Vlora has ferry connections to Bari (11 hours), Otranto and Brindisi. Saranda maintains daily ship connections with Corfu. Tourist groups organize excursions from Saranda to Corfu and vice versa.
Third part liability insurance is compulsory for all automobiles registered in Albania as well as insurance coverage for travel abroad. Vehicles in the country can be insured under CASCO Insurance Company with a cost of 3.4% of the total value of the vehicle. Insurance of personal property such as houses, furniture and equipment can be insured with INSIG (Insurance Institute). The Albanian Currency is the Lek. Currency: Lek = 100 qindarka. It is available in bank notes of 100,200,500, 1000 and 5000 leks. Coins are available in 50,20,10 and 5. Foreigners should be aware that the majority of Albanians refer to currency in terms of the old value system. This means, in a nutshell, that one thousand Lek may mean one hundred Lek. If you are unsure, ask that your interlocutor to specify "old Lek" or "new Lek." New (official) Lek stood at approximately 140 to US$1 in March of 2000. It is not illegal to import or export leks. Money can be changed in the banks or legally in the open market. For the most recent rates of exchange for United Nations operation, please refer to Country/Field Office Information sheets. Banks in Tirana and some tourist hotels (Rogner, Tirana, Diplomat) accept American Express, Eurocard and MasterCard as well as travelers cheques. Banking hours: From Monday to Friday; 9:00am to 3:30pm. However it is advisable to take some cash when traveling in the countryside.
The general level of education in Albania (mainly elementary and middle level) is relatively high. Education is provided by the government and is free of charge. It should be noted that recently are opened private kindergartens and elementary schools with monthly fees of approximately US$ 100-150. These schools generally use English and/or Italian or Greek as a second language. The Tirana International School opened in September 1991. It offers education in English language for elementary students from 5 years through 13 years of age, and the quality is very good. The annual fees amount to approximately US$ 9,000 (Mr. Glen Mosher, Director, and Tel/Fax: 27734).
Turkish Academy Galileo Gallilei Greek School Compared to the past, the medical services in Albania have improved. In 1994, pharmacies were allowed to privatize, a process, which quickly brought a generous supply and variety of medicine to the country. Albanian medical care is adequate and in general the medical professionals are well trained but they do not always have the necessary equipment. State hospitals are generally in very poor conditions. There are recently opened private clinics and some international ones that offer very good services. ABC Health Center - Rr. Qemal Stafa, Nr. 260, Tel: 34105 DSF Medical Center - Rr. Irfan Tomini Nr.5-1, Tel 327 99 / 0382020049 De Ignis Albania - Rr. Vaso Pasha Nr. 1-11 (behind UNDP Office) In cases of a health problem, the approved UN Examining physicians can be contacted. Serious cases requiring urgent medical attention should be evacuated to the nearest point, i.e. Greece or Italy.
Albania has many hotels rated at one to four stars. Facilities in this range include lifts, staff capable of speaking English, French, Italian and German, room with private shower and toilet, TV. There are bars and restaurants in all tourist hotels, which are at the disposal of foreign visitors. Telecommunication services are also available in the hotels. Tirana has two of the best and most expensive hotels; Hotel "Tirana International" and Hotel "Rogner Europapark," the latter with a swimming pool, located in the center of the town. The fees for a single room vary from 130-180 USD/night. There is also Chateau Linza Center and Hotel, located in the eastern part of Tirana about 20 minutes from the center of town, on Dajti Mountain with a very nice view and with an open swimming pool. There are also several hotels of slightly lower prices, but considerably lower standards. The major hotels have souvenir shops accepting leks and convertible currencies. In the shops one can buy carpets, filigree silver and copper, woodcarvings, alabaster, ceramics, any kind of needlework rugs, leather, etc. Turkish delight, cognac, raki and wine, make acceptable presents. Some hotels offer a range of books, postcards and magazines. Europa Park (Rogner) Tel: 350 35 Tirana International Hotel Tel: 304 28, 341 85 Diplomat Tel: 331 51, 304 57
The security situation is volatile in some areas and trouble can erupt at any time. With regard to the North of the country, the main problem is criminal activity, especially the theft of vehicles at gunpoint, and highway robbery in town and rural areas. There is also a problem of rival gangs at times fighting each other using automatic weapons. The triangle of Tirana, Durres and Kruja is relatively more secure than the rest of the country. Security clearance must be obtained before travelling to Albania. Therefore please note the following Security & Safety guide lines:
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