Renting a Car in Albania: What You Need to Know Before You Book

To rent a car in Albania you need to be at least 21, have held your licence for two years, and show an ID or passport with your licence. Prices start around €17 a day for a small car, kilometres are unlimited, and you don't need a credit card with us. Most cars come with no deposit, basic insurance is included, and the fuel policy is full to full. You can drive to Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece for €50 per border, but the Green Card is a separate purchase.

We're a rental company with offices in Tirana and at Rinas airport, and these are the questions our customers ask us every day about renting a car in Albania. Below are the real answers for our fleet, and where other companies usually do things differently.

Who can rent a car in Albania?

Our rules are simple:

• Age: at least 21 years old, up to 75.
• Licence: held for at least two years at the time of rental.
• Documents: a valid ID card or passport, and your driving licence. Both are checked at pickup.

If your licence was issued in the EU, the UK or most of Europe, it's valid in Albania on its own. Licences from the US, Canada, Australia and some other countries need an International Driving Permit alongside them, and it has to be issued at home before you travel. Which licences need an IDP depends on the country that issued yours.

Keep the phone number you booked with switched on from the day before pickup until you return the car. That's how we reach you if a flight changes or something comes up on the road.

How much does renting a car in Albania cost?

These are our starting prices per day. Kilometres are unlimited on every car.

Category	Example models	From (per day)
Economy	Skoda Fabia, Fiat Panda, Dacia Sandero	€17 – €20
Compact	VW Golf 6, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Auris, Fiat Tipo	€23 – €25
Comfort	VW Golf 7, VW Jetta	€40
SUV	VW Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe	€35 – €70
7 and 9 seats	VW Sharan, VW Caravelle, Mercedes V-Class	€60 – €80
Premium	Mercedes C-Class, Mercedes E-Class	€60 – €100

Three things move the final price more than the car itself:

• Season. July and August are the most expensive months and the first to sell out. Spring and autumn are cheaper and easier to book.
• Length of rental. Seven days or more lowers the daily rate.
• Insurance level. The upgrades below are paid per day.

You can see every car and its current price on our full fleet page.

Deposit and payment: do you need a credit card?

No. This is the biggest difference between local companies and the international brands at the airport.

The big brands usually block €300 to €1,500 on a credit card as a deposit, and many of them won't accept a debit card for it. We work differently:

• No credit card needed. You pay in cash, by debit card or by credit card.
• No deposit on most bookings. For some car categories a cash deposit may apply, depending on the insurance you choose. We confirm this when you book, never at the counter.
• Full payment at pickup. The rental is paid when you collect the car. It isn't refunded if you bring the car back early.

Insurance: what's included and what isn't

Every rental includes basic insurance, which covers third-party liability and damage to other people's property. That's the legal minimum in Albania. It doesn't cover damage to the rental car itself.

On top of that you can choose one of two upgrades:

• Protective (80%): covers external damage, fire and theft, glass and mirrors, and roadside assistance. If the car is damaged, you pay 20% of the repair cost and the insurance pays 80%.
• Super Protective (100%): the same cover plus third-party injuries, with nothing to pay for covered damage.

Two exclusions apply to both:

• Tyres are not covered.
• Off-road driving is not covered. Our cars are allowed on paved public roads only.

That second point matters more in Albania than most places. Some of the best trips end on gravel. The last stretch to the Blue Eye of Theth is unpaved, for example. We allow SUVs on that road, but any damage there isn't covered by insurance. Our guide to driving from Tirana to Theth covers the road and the car you need for it.

Fuel policy: full to full

You receive the car with a full tank and return it full. If the tank is lower, you pay the difference at our rate. If it's higher, the extra isn't refunded.

The easiest way to avoid paying for fuel is to fill up at the last station before the airport or our office. Our fleet includes petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars, so check which one you have before your first stop.

Can you drive a rental car out of Albania?

Yes, to four countries:

Country	Fee
Kosovo	€50
North Macedonia	€50
Montenegro	€50
Greece	€50

The fee is per border. A trip through Montenegro and Kosovo costs €100 in crossing fees.

Three rules apply whatever the destination:

1. Tell us when you book, not at pickup. We prepare written permission to take the car abroad, and it can't be arranged once you have the keys.
2. The fee is permission, not insurance. You also need a Green Card, which isn't included.
3. Buy the Green Card in Albania from a local insurer before you leave. You can't buy it once you're across the border.

Where to buy a Green Card and what it costs is covered separately.

Pickup and drop-off

• Tirana Airport (Rinas): our office is about two minutes from the terminal, and pickup works 24 hours a day, including night flights.
• Tirana city: pickup at our office, or delivery to your hotel in Tirana.
• One-way rentals: you can return the car at a different location. Dropping off in Saranda costs an extra €200, and the drive from Tirana to Saranda takes 4 to 5.5 hours.

If you need the car for longer, tell us before your return date. A late return without notice is charged as an extra day.

Which car should you choose?

Pick the car for your route, not the other way round:

• Tirana, Durrës and the coast: an economy or compact car is easier to park and cheaper to run.
• Mountains (Theth, Valbona, Koman): an SUV. For Theth we require one. In winter, chains are needed if there is snow.
• Families and groups: a 7 or 9-seater. Child seats are available on request.

Manual cars are cheaper, but in Tirana traffic an automatic is worth the difference for many people. Our comparison of automatic and manual cars for Albania helps you decide.

Fines, parking and police checks

Traffic fines and parking fees are paid by the driver. If a fine reaches us after your rental, we pass it on to you. If you get a parking fine during the rental, you settle it with us when you return the car. Most parking fines in Tirana come from the paid zones, so check where you can park in the centre before you leave the car.

Speed cameras catch most speeders in and around Tirana, so stick to the limits even when local traffic doesn't. Routine police checks are common on main roads, and officers usually ask for your licence and the car's documents, so keep them in the car. Speed limits, alcohol rules and road conditions are all in our guide to driving in Albania.

Before you drive away

Five minutes at pickup saves arguments at the end:

• Walk around the car and photograph every scratch and dent.
• Check that the fuel level matches the contract.
• Make sure the warning triangle, reflective vest and first aid kit are in the car. The fine for missing them falls on the driver.
• Save our phone number for breakdowns and accidents.

When you return it, don't bring the car back so dirty that the damage can't be checked. If it needs a wash, it's charged to you (around €10).

Common mistakes when renting a car in Albania

These are the ones we see most often:

• Comparing only the daily price. A cheap rate with a large card deposit and high excess can end up costing more than a slightly higher all-in price.
• Planning a cross-border trip at the counter. The permission has to be ready in advance.
• Taking a small car to the mountains. It gets you to the start of the road, not up it.
• Leaving the return to the last minute before a flight. Give yourself time for the inspection.

Key takeaways

• Renting a car in Albania requires being 21 or older with a licence held for at least two years.
• Prices start around €17 a day, with unlimited kilometres.
• No credit card is needed, and most bookings have no deposit.
• Basic insurance is included; upgrades cover 80% or 100% of damage, but never tyres or off-road driving.
• Fuel is full to full.
• Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece are allowed at €50 per border, plus a Green Card bought in Albania.

Frequently asked questions: