Saudis and Qataris Can Visit Albania Visa-Free Until End of 2026

Citizens of Saudi Arabia and Qatar can visit Albania without a visa for tourism until 31 December 2026, under a temporary seasonal waiver that began on 15 April. The rules are published by Albania's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The Council of Ministers adopted the waiver in March, aiming to attract Gulf visitors in summer and over the year-end holidays, Bulevard reported.

The waiver covers tourism only. Travellers need a valid passport which, under Albania's general rules, must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date and have been issued within the previous ten years. The ministry's general short-stay rule allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For entry rules for other nationalities and everyday costs, see our visa and cost of living guide.

Other Gulf nationalities

This year's waiver is narrower than some earlier ones. According to the ministry's country table for national passports:

• UAE and Kuwaiti citizens do not need a visa for short stays, so the seasonal dates do not apply to them.
• Bahraini citizens need a visa in 2026. Their last seasonal waiver ran from 6 March to 31 December 2024.
• Omani citizens need a visa for short stays.

Foreign nationals of any country who hold a ten-year UAE residence permit with at least one year of validity remaining can also enter visa-free. So can holders of valid, previously used multiple-entry visas or residence permits issued by Schengen countries, the EU, the US or the UK; they must leave Albania at least three days before the visa or permit expires. That exemption does not apply to Iranian nationals.