Language
Overview
The official language is Albanian. In the southern part of the country, a minority speaks Greek. In some schools, classes are held in Greek. Many Albanians speak Italian, some also speak French or English. Albanian belongs to the Indo-European language family and is related to the Greek and Armenian languages. A descent from the extinct and little known Illyrian language is suspected. Spoken Albanian has two major dialect groups, Gheg and Tosk. The two dialects differ in their sound as well as in their grammar and sometimes even in their vocabulary. For example, “village” is katund in Gheg and fshat in Tosk. In Gegic there are about 10 consonants, vowels and nasal vowels that are not found in Tosk. There is also no infinitive in the Toscan dialect. The boundary between the two dialect groups runs roughly along the 41st degree of latitude. North of the Shkumbin River live the Gegish-speaking Counters, south of the Tosk-speaking Tosken. Geg is also spoken in Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and southern Serbia. Spoken in southern Italy, Arbëresh is a form of the Toscan dialect. Tosk was used in 1972 as the basis for the development of the Albanian written language, with some Gheg elements influencing vocabulary and word formation.
Public Holidays
01/07/2022 Orthodox Christmas holiday
03/15/2022 spring holiday
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/18/2022 easter monday
04/24/2022 Orthodox Easter Sunday
05/01/2022 Lesser Bairam (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 may day
07/09/2022 Big Bajram (Feast of Sacrifice)
10/19/2022 Beatification of Mother Teresa
11/28/2022 Independence Day
11/29/2022 Liberation (at the end of WWII)
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and drinking alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be expected that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as respecting Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Albania duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos (no more than 3g each) or 250g of tobacco (persons aged 17 and over); 1 liter of spirits (above 22% vol) or 2 liters of alcoholic beverages below 22% vol (persons aged 17 and over); 2 liters of wine (persons aged 17 and over); 10 l of beer (persons over 17 years of age); up to 3 kg of coffee. Medical products for personal use. Gifts / other goods up to a total value of €300 per passenger (travel by train/car) or €430 per passenger (travel by plane and sea); Children under 15 generally €150.
Prohibited Imports
There is a ban on the import and export of weapons, ammunition, drugs, narcotics and pornography. More information is available from Countryaah.com. 2022-01-18 00:00:00
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Albania
Consulates in Lugano and Zurich.
Pourtalèsstrasse 45A
Muri bei Bern
Switzerland
+41 (31) 952 60 10.
http://punetejashtme.gov.al
http://punetejashtme.gov.al
Mon-Thu 09.00-16.00, Fri 09.00-14.00.
Embassy of the Republic of Albania
Honorary consulates in Eisenstadt, Gössendorf, Puch (Salzburg), St. Pölten and Villach.
Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 18/1/5
Vienna
Austria
+43 (1) 328 86 56. Embassy of the Republic of Albania
Consulate General in Munich. Honorary consulates in Essen and Stuttgart.
Friedrichstrasse 231
Berlin
Germany
+49 (30) 25 93 04 00. Consular Section: +49 (30) 25 93 04 51.
http://ambasadat.gov.al/germany
http://ambasadat.gov.al/germany
Mon-Thu 08.30-17.00, Fri 08.30-14.00. Consular Section: Mon-Fri 9am-12pm.
Business
Business etiquette
Representative appearance and external indicators (from the chosen accommodation to the brand image) are taken into account. Business cards are common. Scheduling an appointment in good time is recommended. Punctuality is required for foreign visitors. Nodding can mean ‘no’ and shaking the head can mean ‘yes’.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.30-13.00 and 14.30-18.00 (authorities and banks until 12.00). Long lunch breaks are held in trade and commerce. Shops tend to close earlier on Fridays. Private shops are open at the traditional times between 08.00-15.00. Authorities closed at the weekend.
Business contacts
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code of Albania is 0355. Area codes: Tirana (04), Durrës (052), Elbasan (054), Gjirokaster (084), Kavaje (055), Korçe (082), Shkodra (022).
Mobile phone
GSM 900/ 1800, 3G (2100) and 4G (LTE). The main providers are Telekom Albania, ALBtelecom and Vodafone Albania. The reception/transmission range covers over 90% of the country. In remote and mountainous parts of the country there is often no reception. Roaming contracts exist. Nevertheless, it may be worth purchasing an Albanian prepaid SIM card.
Internet
Internet cafés, which are mostly primarily computer gaming venues, can be found in all major cities. Numerous hotels and cafes offer free WiFi.
Post office
Delivery times have become much shorter. It is recommended that all shipments are sent by registered mail. There are main post offices in Tirana, Durrës and other big cities. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 07.00-17.00 and Sat 08.00-13.00.
Radio
Numerous German-speaking radio stations can be received in Albania via Astra satellites or via the Internet.
