If you've searched Google for health insurance that covers expats in Albania then you are probably for looking for trusted UK based health insurance companies that will cover your medical expenses in Albania.
Living as an expat in Albania you want to avoid any nasty unexpected health care costs. In some countries these can amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds for very serious medical conditions.
Our advice when shopping around for health insurance that covers expatriates living in Albania is to speak to a health insurance broker. Health insurance is very complicated and if you want absolute certainty that Albania is covered you should talk with a medical insurance broker who can explain which policy providers will cover medical costs for expatriates in Albania and which will exclude it.
There are many advantages to using a insurance broker but the biggest by far is that you're using their insurance training at no cost. They are paid by the insurer (Aviva or Bupa etc) rather than by you so it costs you no extra to use their services.
- Do you reside in many different areas? Some will give you a lower policy premium than offers. A broker will be able to advise whats best.
- Do you have a hobby that may invalidate your insurance claim? A broker will know this vital information.
- If you are a couple and one of you has claimed on your policy this year would it be cheaper to separate you both onto two different policies?
- You've developed a certain medical condition and want to know which insurer offers the biggest amount of cover for it. A broker will know this instantly saving you huge amounts of time and effort.
You can call around every health insurance provider on the market and ask if they provider cover for expats in Albania, however this will be a very time consuming process. Each insurer will ask for your medical history because its not normally a simple yes or not if a medical condition is covered or not.
Its far far quicker to speak to one health insurance broker which will know which providers on the market offer cover for expats in Albania and under what conditions they do or don't cover it.
Albania Information
Tourism in Albania has been a key element to the country's economic activity and is constantly developing. It is characterized by its rich archaeological and cultural heritage dating back to the classical period when Illyrians and Ancient Greeks inhabited the region. Over the course of history, the territory of Albania was occupied and populated by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans. Notably the country features unspoiled beaches, mountainous landscapes, traditional cuisine, archaeological artifacts, unique traditions, low prices and the wild atmosphere of the countryside.
The country lies in Southeastern Europe bordering Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. The Mediterranean Sea with the Adriatic and Ionian Sea make up the entire west border of the country. The country's coastline length is about 481 km (299 mi) composed of both sandy and rocky beaches, bays, caves, cliffs, capes and lagoons. Although the country features notable diversity with the landscape ranging from the snow-capped Albanian Alps, Sharr, Skanderbeg, Korab, Pindus and Ceraunian Mountains to the sunny Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea Coasts.
The country has a distinctly Mediterranean climate. Across the country's territory there is a wide range of microclimates due to differing soil types and topography. The warmest areas of the country are found at the coasts where the climate is profoundly impacted by the sea, while the coldest parts at the northern and eastern hinterlands, where snowy forested climate is prevalent.
With a total of 3.8 million visitors, Albania is the 25th most visited country in Europe. Lonely Planet ranked Albania as the number 1 destination to be visited in 2011. The New York Times ranked Albania 4th among 52 destinations to be visited in 2014. Although still underdeveloped, Albania is set to prime its debut on the world scene as it celebrates a century of independence. A Huffington Post article outlined 10 reasons for visiting Albania in 2013. Recently, Albania has been officially dubbed as "Go Your Own Way". Previously, it was dubbed as "A New Mediterranean Love". According to the Albanian Institute of Statistics, around 4.73 million foreign citizens have visited Albania in 2016.
A number of renowned international hotel chains are making their presence known in Albania, including Mariott, Hyatt, Maritim Plaza, Hilton Garden Inn, MK Hotels, and Best Western in Tirana, as well as Melia Hotels International in Durres, while others are awaiting the green light to start operations mainly in Tirana, the Albanian Alps, and along the Albanian Riviera.
The trend for agritourism is a form of tourism in the countryside which combines agriculture and tourism and is exponentially developing in Albania. The government of Albania has identified this form of tourism as an important and sustainable tourism opportunity and prioritised its development as a rural economic diversification concept within the country's 100+ villages Programme.
The northern region of the country is particularly known for its natural and cultural heritage, picturesque alpine mountainous landscapes, scenic highlands, glacial lakes, rich flora and fauna, curative sandy beaches, and historic regions with ancient traditions and delicious cuisine. It is underlain by karstic rock, mainly dolomite and limestone with associated lakes and cave which has given rise to the most distinctive feature of its lakes and rivers.
The Albanian Alps are among the most valuable and unique features of the northern region of Albania. Its mountainous landscape with multiple contrasts, traversed by river valleys with crystal waters, gorges and mountain saddles with a rich biodiversity attracts both domestic and foreign tourists from all over the world.
Gashi River and Rajcë are both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve. They offers a fascinating and incredibly diverse picture of the original landscapes with less human impact. The river originates and flows through the Albanian Alps in the north until it reaches the Valbona River.
Both Valbonë Valley National Park and Theth National Park stretches within the Albanian Alps and offers a variety of opportunities for tourism, fishing, mountaineering and trekking. The Valbona Pass, standing at 1,795 ha (17.95 km2), separates the national parks. The Albanian traditions, hospitality, culture and culinary values of this region are strong elements that those parks offer for tourists.
The villages of Theth are surrounded on four sides by numerous two-thousanders such as Radohima in the west, Arapi and Poplluka in the north and Jezerca in the east. It is well known for its unique Roman Catholic churches, folk traditions but also its natural heritage.