If you’ve ever wondered whether Albania is part of the European Union, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common travel and geography questions. The short answer is no: Albania is not an EU member state, but it holds official candidate status and has been working toward accession since 2009.
EU membership status: Candidate country (not a member) ·
Application year: 2009 ·
Schengen area: Not a member ·
Visa-free access for EU citizens: Yes (up to 90 days) ·
Currency: Albanian lek (not euro)
Quick snapshot
- Albania is not an EU member (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- Candidate country since 2014 (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- EU citizens travel visa-free up to 90 days (Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs – official visa regime)
- Currency is the Albanian lek, not the euro (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- Exact timeline for membership – 2030 target not guaranteed
- Whether all reform conditions will be met in time
- Impact of EU internal politics on enlargement pace
- 2009: Application submitted (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- 2020: Accession negotiations opened (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- 2024–2025: All 33 chapters opened (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- 2030 target: Possible membership (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- Closing remaining criteria for each chapter
- Possible EU membership after 2030
- Continued visa-free travel for EU citizens
Five key facts, one pattern: Albania is a committed candidate but still outside the EU club. Below are the official details.
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| EU Member | No |
| Candidate | Yes |
| Schengen | No |
| Euro | No |
| Visa-free for EU | Yes |
| Application year | 2009 |
| Negotiations opened | 2020 |
| Chapters opened | All 33 (by Dec 2025) |
Is Albania a member of the EU?
What is Albania’s EU status?
Albania is not an EU member state. It is, however, a recognized candidate country, a status granted by the European Council in June 2014 (European Commission – Albania enlargement page). The country submitted its application for membership in April 2009, and after years of preparation, the first intergovernmental conference on accession negotiations took place in July 2022 (European Commission – Albania enlargement page).
For travellers and businesses, Albania functions as a non-member but with close ties — EU citizens enjoy visa-free access, but the country does not participate in EU institutions or the single market.
The implication: Albania is further along in the accession process than many realise, yet full membership is still years away.
Why can’t Albania join the EU?
What are the main obstacles?
The EU requires candidate countries to meet the Copenhagen criteria — stable institutions, functioning market economy, and the ability to take on EU obligations. For Albania, the most challenging areas are rule of law, judicial reform, and anti-corruption measures (European Commission – Albania enlargement page). The European Commission’s annual reports track progress chapter by chapter.
What are the EU’s demands?
Key demands include full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), tackling organised crime, and strengthening the independence of the judiciary. Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom, security) are considered core bottlenecks (European Commission – Albania enlargement page). Albania opened its final negotiating cluster in December 2025, meaning all 33 chapters have been opened, but none are closed yet.
The European Commission says Albania’s accession negotiations are advanced because it has opened all negotiation clusters. The actual closing of chapters — and therefore the timeline — depends on sustained reform momentum.
The catch: even with all chapters open, the EU can slow or halt progress if reform benchmarks are not met.
Will Albania join the EU?
When will Albania join the EU?
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that he aims to close all negotiation chapters by 2027 and achieve membership by 2030 (European Commission – Albania enlargement page). However, the EU enlargement process is inherently uncertain and depends on both Albania’s reforms and the political will of current member states.
What is the 2030 target?
The 2030 target is ambitious. Previous enlargement rounds (e.g., Croatia) took about a decade from opening negotiations to membership. Albania only started negotiations in 2020, so a 2030 entry would be fast by historical standards. The European Council has not made any binding commitment.
The pattern: Albania is moving faster than many peer candidates, but the final timeline remains in the hands of the EU.
Can EU citizens travel to Albania?
Do EU citizens need a visa for Albania?
No. EU citizens can travel to Albania visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period (Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs – official visa regime). A passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay is required.
Is Albania in the Schengen area?
No. Albania is not part of the Schengen area (European Commission – Schengen Area information page). This means travelers from Schengen countries will still go through border control when entering Albania (and when returning to the Schengen zone). There are no internal border checks inside Albania itself.
Why this matters: if you’re an EU citizen, traveling to Albania feels like a normal international trip — no extra visa, but passport checks apply.
Is Albania in the euro?
Does Albania use the euro?
No. Albania’s currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). The euro is not legal tender, though it is accepted in some tourist areas, hotels, and larger shops. Exchange rates vary.
What is the currency in Albania?
The lek is issued by the Bank of Albania. As a non-member of the eurozone, Albania cannot adopt the euro unilaterally — it must become an EU member first and meet the Maastricht convergence criteria.
The trade-off: tourists often get a better rate using local currency, and most ATMs dispense lek.
Timeline of Albania’s EU journey
- April 2009: Albania applies for EU membership (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- October 2012: European Commission recommends candidate status (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- June 2014: EU grants candidate status (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- March 2020: EU Council endorses opening accession negotiations (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- July 2022: First Intergovernmental Conference on accession (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- October 2024: Opening of Cluster 1 (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- November 2025: Screening completed for all six clusters (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- December 2025: Final cluster opened – all 33 chapters now open (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- 2027 (target): Aim to close all chapters
- 2030 (target): Possible EU membership
Confirmed facts
- Albania is not an EU member (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- Albania is a candidate country (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
- Albania is not in Schengen (European Commission – Schengen Area information page)
- EU citizens can travel visa-free (Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs – official visa regime)
What’s unclear
- Exact year of membership
- Whether 2030 target is realistic
- Speed of remaining reforms
Voices on Albania’s EU path
“[Albania] will close all negotiation chapters by 2027 and join the EU by 2030.”
— Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Friends of Europe event, June 2025 (as reported by European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
“Albania’s accession negotiations are advanced because it has opened all negotiation clusters and is progressing through the screening process.”
— European Commission, Enlargement reports (European Commission – Albania enlargement page)
For Albanian citizens and the government, the 2030 target is ambitious but achievable only if reforms continue at pace, or the risk is another decade of waiting. For EU citizens planning a trip, the good news is that visa-free travel remains unchanged regardless of accession progress.
Related reading: Good Friday Agreement: Signatories, Referendums & Key Facts · Dublin to Rome Flight Time: Direct Flights, Tips & Schedules
dgap.org, friendsofeurope.org, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, institutdelors.eu, carnegieendowment.org, clingendael.org
Frequently asked questions
Is Albania in the EU or EEA?
No. Albania is neither an EU member nor part of the European Economic Area (EEA). It is a candidate country with a dedicated accession process.
What are three countries not in the EU?
Examples include Albania, Switzerland, and Norway. Each has a different relationship with the EU: candidate, EFTA member, and EEA member respectively.
What is the poorest country in Europe?
According to GDP per capita, Albania is often listed among the poorer European economies, though it has seen significant growth in recent years.
Do they drink alcohol in Albania?
Yes, alcohol is legal and widely available. There is no ban on alcohol consumption or sales, except for age restrictions (18+).
Can I use my EU mobile roaming in Albania?
Albania is not part of the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” zone. EU mobile plans may charge extra, so check with your provider before travelling.
What are the EU chapters closed for Albania?
As of early 2026, no chapters have been closed yet. All 33 chapters are open, but none are provisionally closed pending final approval.
Are there any tourist bans or laws in Albania I should know?
Tourists should follow standard visa rules and avoid restricted areas near borders. No specific bans affect ordinary travellers.