Travel essentials

📱 eSIMs and SIM cards

• Kosovo: both national networks sell eSIMs: IPKO eSIM (online or in an IPKO shop) and Vala eSIM (activated at a Vala customer-care point). Neither is sold as a tourist-only plan.
• Albania: Vodafone Albania sells tourist eSIM packages on its website. One Albania has a tourist pack on a prepaid SIM.
• Kosovo and Albania are separate networks, so a Kosovo plan roams in Albania and vice versa. Check before you cross.

💶 Money

• Kosovo uses the euro (Central Bank of Kosovo).
• Albania uses the lek (ALL), issued by the Bank of Albania, which publishes the official exchange rates. Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, usually at a worse rate.
• Use our converter for a quick estimate.

🚗 Driving rules

Kosovo

• Speed limits unless signed otherwise: 50 km/h in built-up areas; 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on roads reserved for motor vehicles, 100 km/h on fast roads and 80 km/h on other roads.
• Seatbelts are compulsory for everyone in the car, and drivers may not use a phone while driving.
• Alcohol limits, lights and winter equipment are set in the Law on Road Traffic Provisions. The safe rule: don't drink and drive.

Albania

• Speed limits in the Road Code: 40 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on secondary and local roads outside them, 90 km/h on main interurban roads and 110 km/h on motorways. Signs can set lower limits.
• Driving after drinking alcohol is prohibited, with penalties from any detected level. Dipped headlights are required at all times on motorways and interurban roads.
• A 2026 amendment (law no. 58/2026) added stricter limits for drivers licensed in the last 24 months.

🛂 Borders and car insurance

• Kosovo is not in the Green Card system. Foreign-registered cars need Kosovo border insurance from the Kosovo Insurance Bureau (BKS). Buy it at the border or online; the minimum is 15 days. Albanian and Serbian MTPL insurance is recognised; cars from North Macedonia and Montenegro need a Green Card from those countries.
• From July 1, 2026, BKS announced a free one-month border policy for diaspora passenger cars (up to 9 seats) at border points only. It does not apply to cars registered in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia. Check BKS for whether it is still running.
• Albania is in the Green Card system; check that your card lists "AL".
• Live waiting times at Kosovo's crossings are published by the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Serbia: Serbia does not treat Kosovo's crossings as international entry points. If you enter Kosovo from Albania or North Macedonia, don't plan to drive straight on into Serbia; see GOV.UK Serbia entry requirements.

🇪🇺 EU border systems: EES and ETIAS

• EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational since April 10, 2026. Non-EU short-stay travellers (US, Canadian and Kosovo passport holders included) are registered with fingerprints and a photo at Schengen external borders, and passport stamps have ended. It matters if you connect through or drive across Schengen countries; Kosovo and Albania are not in Schengen. Official EES FAQ.
• ETIAS is not running yet. The official ETIAS site says no applications are being taken and the EU will announce the start date several months in advance. The earlier late-2026 target has been removed. Ignore sites that ask you to pay for ETIAS now.

Sources

• IPKO eSIM
• Vala eSIM
• Vodafone Albania tourist eSIM
• One Albania tourist pack
• Central Bank of Kosovo
• Bank of Albania
• Kosovo Police: welcome brochure (speed limits, seatbelts, phones)
• Kosovo Law No. 08/L-186 on Road Traffic Provisions
• Albanian Road Code (DPSHTRR, consolidated)
• BKS: why you need border insurance
• BKS: diaspora border insurance subsidy (June 30, 2026)
• German Federal Foreign Office: Kosovo travel advice
• Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs (border wait times)
• GOV.UK: Serbia entry requirements
• European Commission: EES fully operational
• Official ETIAS website

Checked October 15, 2026. Rules change; always confirm with the official source before you travel.