🇦🇱 Albania
Days you spend in Albania do not eat into your 90-day Schengen allowance.
Capital
Tirana
Currency
ALL
Schengen
Outside
Use as
Reset destination
Why Albaniadoesn’t count
Albania is outside the Schengen Area. While you're physically in Albania, the 180-day rolling window keeps moving: old Schengen days fall out of the window even though you've left. Many nomads use Albania as a 'reset' destination when they're close to the 90-day limit.
Reset trip tip
Tip: combine the calculator with a quick trip to Albania when you're approaching 90 days. We'll show you the earliest date you can return to Schengen.
At a glance
Up to 365 days visa-free for US passport, 90 days for many EU/UK nationals.
Reset in Albania, the practical version
Albania offers a full 365 days visa-free for US citizens, a massive advantage for Schengen resets. Many EU and UK nationals get 90 days in a 180-day window, which isn't enough. That's why people look here.
Who Gets To Stay A While
Your passport dictates your stay. US passport holders get a full 365 days in Albania, no questions asked. That's a year. EU and UK citizens get 90 days within a 180-day period, the standard Schengen allowance. For Indian and Chinese passport holders, it's 90 days within a 180-day period as well. This makes Albania a prime spot if you've maxed out your Schengen time and need a proper break, not just a quick hop.
Making Albania Work For Your Reset
Tirana is the obvious choice, drawing most nomads. It's got decent infrastructure, a growing number of co-working spaces, and a monthly cost that’s hard to beat. Expect to spend between €500 to €800 per month, all-in, for a comfortable stay in an apartment and eating out a few times a week. Internet is generally reliable in Tirana, especially in newer buildings and central areas; speeds are usually fine for remote work. Outside the capital, places like Sarandë on the coast are popular in summer, but can feel deserted in winter. Safety is good; Albania is generally safe, with petty crime being rare.
Common Traps To Avoid
Don't think you can just pop over the border to Montenegro or North Macedonia for a day and reset your 90 days. Albania doesn't operate on the Schengen rolling 180-day rule, but border officials can get suspicious if you're constantly crossing in and out. Extensions beyond the initial visa-free period aren't automatic and can be complex, often requiring a visit to immigration offices and proof of sufficient funds. Always have an onward ticket booked when you arrive, just in case they ask. The Albanian Lek (ALL) can be volatile, so factor that into your budget if you're earning in a stronger currency. Wise works well for sending money.