Car Rental and Insurance Guide in Albania

Driver Requirements

Albania requires drivers to meet the minimum age for the vehicle category. In practice, rental companies often set higher minimum ages and may apply a young-driver surcharge depending on the provider and vehicle group.

Booking, Documents, and Payments

Most car rental desks in Albania follow familiar European-style procedures. Before you confirm, read the rental terms carefully and keep a copy of the confirmation and insurance summary on your phone.

Pick-Up and Return Process

A smooth rental is mostly about documentation. Take a few minutes at pick-up to confirm the vehicle’s condition and make sure the paperwork matches what you see.

1. Walk-around inspection: photograph all sides of the car, wheels, windshield, and interior.
2. Damage sheet: confirm any existing marks are written down (even small scuffs).
3. Fuel level and mileage: verify the numbers on the contract match the dashboard.
4. Emergency kit and essentials: confirm the car has the required basics provided by the company (triangle/vest availability varies by provider).
5. Return plan: ask how after-hours returns work, and where keys should be left.

Insurance Basics in Albania

In Albania, vehicles circulating on the road must be covered by compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (often shown as TPL or MTPL). This is the foundation layer that addresses liability toward third parties in covered situations under Albanian law.

Common Rental Insurance Options

When people talk about “full insurance” at the counter, they usually mean a combination of coverages that reduce what the driver pays if the rental car is damaged. Exact names and inclusions vary by company, so focus on the deductible, exclusions, and what is required to keep coverage valid.

Coverage Name	What It Typically Helps With	What to Confirm Before Buying
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)	Limits your financial responsibility for damage to the rental car, usually up to a deductible.	Deductible amount, excluded parts (often tires/glass/undercarriage), and documentation requirements.
Theft Protection (TP)	Limits your responsibility if the vehicle is stolen, typically up to a deductible.	Key-handling rules, parking expectations, and whether personal items are covered (often not).
Super CDW / Deductible Reduction	Reduces the deductible further, sometimes close to zero depending on the plan.	Whether it’s truly zero, what exclusions still apply, and whether tires/glass are included.
Glass, Tires, and Undercarriage Add-On	Helps with items frequently excluded from standard CDW.	Coverage limits, claim process, and whether photos or immediate reporting are required.
Personal Accident Coverage	Supports certain medical/accident-related benefits depending on the policy.	Who is covered, benefit limits, and overlap with your travel/health insurance.

Plain-English Insurance Terms That Appear on Rental Contracts

Deductible (Excess): The amount you may have to pay before the waiver/coverage applies. Even with CDW, you can still be responsible up to this figure.

Exclusions: Situations or parts of the car not covered (for example, damage underneath the vehicle). Always ask for the written list.

Authorized Driver: Only drivers listed on the contract are typically protected by the rental’s waivers. If someone else drives, coverage may not apply.

Incident Report Window: Many companies require prompt reporting and documentation. Ask what to do and keep the instructions in your phone.

Deductibles, Deposits, and Holds

Two numbers matter more than the marketing labels: the deductible (your potential out-of-pocket cost if the vehicle is damaged under covered conditions) and the deposit hold (a temporary authorization on your card).

Driving, Toll Roads, and Parking

Albania drives on the right-hand side. Speed limits are posted and can vary by road type; some guidance commonly references about 40 km/h in urban areas, 80–90 km/h outside urban areas, and around 110 km/h on motorways, but always follow the signs on the road.

Cross-Border Driving and Green Card

Cross-border rules depend on whether you are renting or driving your own vehicle. If you plan to leave Albania with a rental car, you must get written approval from the rental company and confirm insurance validity for your route.

• Driving your own car into Albania: some official travel guidance states you must carry a Green Card as proof of vehicle insurance.
• With a rental car: border crossings may require an extra document or fee arranged in advance. Ask the company for the exact paperwork you will receive.