Facilities for tourism are not well developed and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other European countries are not yet available. Hotel accommodations are limited outside of Tirana. A passport is required but a visa is not necessary for a tourist stay of up to 30 days. An extension up to 180 days may be granted by applying at the local police station. After 180 days, the Ministry of Interior accepts extension requests.
Medical facilities are limited and medicine is in short supply.
Within recent years there have been outbreaks of polio, cholera, and dysentery. Doctors and hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage is useful. Albania has a high rate of violent crime.