Genvisec advises that all travel can continue to Kosovo. Certain categories of business traveller may require enhanced security. 

 

We do however advise that travel to the municipalities of Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, and to the northern part of the city of Mitrovica should be for essential purposes only.

 

Crime

 

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself from street crime. Watch out for pick-pockets particularly in airports and on public transport. As a foreigner, you may be a target for criminals who may assume you are carrying large amounts of cash. Four wheel drive and luxury vehicles are also popular targets. Report all incidents of crime to the local police and get a report.  

 

Isolated incidents of armed violence and vehicle explosions in major cities are usually linked to organised crime and not directed against foreigners.

 

Check local developments before and during your journey. In the event of civil disorder, stay at home and restrict your movements as much as possible, especially after dark. Avoid public gatherings, political rallies and protests

 

Local travel

 

There is still some danger from residual mines and other unexploded ordnance left over from the 1999 conflict. The main areas of risk are on the border with Albania, in the Dulje Pass area (in central Kosovo), in the west and south of the country and in the mountainous region between South Serbia’s Presevo Valley and Kosovo.

 

Take care when travelling in all these areas, and keep to the main roads. Most of the remaining dangerous areas are in high mountainous regions covered with dense vegetation. If you see anything suspicious, don’t touch it, but report it immediately to the police or the nearest KFOR patrol.

 

Northern Kosovo

 

We advise against all but essential travel to the municipalities of Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, and to the northern part of the city of Mitrovica due to occasional violence there.

 

There were a number of security incidents in the north in 2012/13 affecting the route between Kosovo and Serbia via Gate 1 (Leposavic) and Gate 31 (Zubin Potok). Use alternative routes for travel between Kosovo and Serbia if possible.

 

Demonstrations at border Gates 3 and 5 (Medare and Dheu i Bardhe) in southern Kosovo in 2012 resulted in some clashes. If you intend to enter Kosovo from Serbia at Gates 3 and 5, you should take care and be prepared for a long wait. Queue lengths often vary depending on the time of day and can be 1-2 km long.

 

Road travel

 

The standard of roads varies from fair to poor. Roads are particularly bad in rural areas and after bad weather. There is a risk of landslides. You should avoid travelling at night if possible.

 

You can drive using an EU driving licence. You must have vehicle registration and ownership documents and a locally valid insurance policy. European Green Card vehicle insurance isn’t valid. You should buy local third party insurance at the border or from the nearest town at the earliest opportunity. Make sure you have enough cash in Euros to pay for insurance and fuel. The quality of fuel varies. Delays at the border crossings between Kosovo and Macedonia are common.

 

Many Serbian car hire firms will not allow their vehicles to be driven in Kosovo, and vice-versa, due to concerns about the security situation. There have been some incidents where Serbian registered cars have been targeted in more isolated areas of Kosovo.

 

Taxis are readily available in Pristina, but the condition of the vehicle and standard of driving vary.

 

Rail travel

 

The rail service from Fushë Kosovë (Kosovo Polie) to Zvecan (Zvečan) and Leshak (Lešak) in northern Kosovo is currently suspended.

 

Trains can be slow, particularly in winter when there are often long delays.

 

Political situation

 

Incidents in South Kosovo are much rarer, but there have been occasional violent demonstrations in Pristina.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Drug laws are similar to those in the EU. Possession or trafficking of drugs usually attract a lengthy prison sentence.

 

There are no laws against homosexual activity or same-sex couples in Kosovo. However, Kosovo is a conservative society and homosexual activity is not generally tolerated. Avoid public displays of affection.

 

Taking photographs of military/police installations, personnel or vehicles may lead to difficulties with the authorities. 

 

Money

 

The Euro is the official currency in Kosovo. The Serbian Dinar is sometimes accepted in Serb-majority areas. Most transactions are in cash. Credit cards are not widely accepted but there are a small number of ATMs in Pristina, which accept international bankcards. You should bring enough Euros to cover your expenses while in Kosovo.

 

Carry your passport with you for identification purposes and keep a copy separately in a safe place.

 

Health

The health system in Kosovo is severely under-funded. Hospitals lack specialist equipment and there is a widespread shortage of medicines and other essentials. Many doctors and nurses lack training in modern techniques and practices. A small payment in cash (currently €4) is required for treatment but you should make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is endemic in Kosovo. Most cases occur in the region around Malishevë/o (central Kosovo), but during the summer months other rural areas of Kosovo can be affected.

 

Mosquito-borne diseases are present, including West Nile virus.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 94 from a landline or 194 from a mobile and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Natural disasters

During especially hot and dry periods there is a danger of forest fires. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas. Make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished, and don’t light barbecues.

 

Kosovo lies in a seismically active zone, and earth tremors are common. The last significant earthquake, of magnitude 4.5, happened in 2010 around 90km north of Pristina.

 

Visas

 

EU nationals don’t need a visa to enter Kosovo. You may be asked to provide documentary evidence giving a reason for your stay. A 90-day entry stamp will be issued which is renewable for longer stays. Since 8 May 2013 citizens of EU member states can enter Kosovo on a photo ID card. A photo ID driving licence does not constitute a valid ID card for cross-border travel and British nationals still need to enter Kosovo with a valid passport. With effect from 1 July, Kosovo introduced a visa regime for the nationalities listed on the Kosovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

 

Kosovo/Serbia Border

 

The authorities in Serbia don’t consider the designated crossing points from Kosovo to be official ‘international’ border crossing points.

 

Foreign nationals have been denied entry to Serbia if they have Republic of Kosovo stamps in their passports and the Serbian authorities may not allow you to travel into Serbia if you hold these stamps. We are also aware of isolated incidents where Serbian authorities have cancelled Kosovo stamps in passports of foreign nationals.

 

Foreign nationals are less likely to experience entry problems if they travelled into Kosovo from Serbia and are returning, or are travelling via Albania, Macedonia or Montenegro (for more information please visit the website of the Serbian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport must be undamaged and valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. 

 

The authorities of Kosovo have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Kosovo.