COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 04/18/21

*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States aged two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
Waivers to the testing requirement may be granted by the CDC on an extremely limited basis when extraordinary emergency travel (like an emergency medical evacuation) must occur to preserve someone’s health and safety, and testing cannot be completed before travel. There are no waivers available for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Individuals – or air carriers seeking to allow boarding by potentially qualifying individuals – who believe they meet the criteria for a waiver should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at PristinaVisas@state.gov, and provide the information below. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will then submit the request to the CDC for consideration.

Country-Specific Information

Kosovo is under a Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel due to COVID-19.
The health situation continues to deteriorate. U.S. citizens report equipment shortages and a lack of space available at local and regional hospitals. It is possible that regional and European land and/or air border restrictions could be re-imposed with little notice.
For information on the number of COVID-19 cases within Kosovo visit: https://kosova.health/en/

COVID-19 Testing

Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Kosovo? Yes
- There are PCR and rapid antigen tests available from several private labs in Pristina for 60-75 Euros; availability outside Pristina is unknown.
- The main public hospital in Pristina, the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), provides free travel testing without a referral although availability and scheduling depend on demand.
Are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
- Turn-around time for results from the private clinics vary from several hours to 24 hours and are available via email and hard copy. Results from UCCK are reportedly available within 24 hours, but it is best to check with them due to expected higher demand.
For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
If you are in Kosovo and have COVID-19 related questions, are symptomatic, or need information regarding testing, please call toll free 038 200 80 800, or dial 194.
The U.S. Embassy does not endorse or recommend any particular healthcare provider, but below is a list of clinics and hospitals who are providing tests. Please contact them directly for details on location, tests offered, and pricing:
- Medical and Laboratory Services SHPK, +383 48 111 000 or +383 38 600 188
- Prolab, +383 49 789 410
- Olive Lab, +383 38 720 055, +383 49 520 056
- UBT – Laboratori I Mikrobiologis e Klinike, + 383 46 500 777, +383 46 500 888
- Avicena, +383 49 825 555
- UCCK – University Clinical Center Kosovo (public hospital), +381 38 500 600

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Has the government of Kosovo approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
- The Kosovo Ministry of Health has approved the use of rapid antigen testing. The standard test in Kosovo for diagnostic purposes is COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) molecular detection of viral RNA using real-time RT-PCR. Serology testing has been used for surveillance as well as diagnostic purposes (especially when PCR testing was not as widely available and prior to the use of rapid antigen testing).
Are vaccines available in Kosovo for U.S. citizens to receive? No
Which vaccines are available in Kosovo? Astra Zeneca. At this time the vaccine is limited to health care workers, police, Kosovo Security Forces and those over 80 years of age.
The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination

Entry and Exit Requirements

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No (see below)
- UPDATE: A COVID-19 test is NOT required when departing the U.S en route to Kosovo. However, due to quickly evolving COVID-19 testing requirements worldwide, we strongly recommend that ALL travelers obtain a COVID-19 test prior to air travel.
- UPDATE: Airlines, transit points, and destination countries impose a patchwork of different testing requirements and airlines have recently refused boarding to some passengers (including U.S. citizens and Kosovo residents). Airlines have the sole authority to decide who they allow to board their aircraft. Pre-travel testing can help avoid expensive and time-consuming delays or cancellations.
- All foreign citizens entering Kosovo by air or land, who come from high-risk countries defined by the ECDC (does not include the U.S.) must have a negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 done in the last 72 hours. If the foreign citizen is only transiting Kosovo and will leave within 3 hours, they do not need to provide a negative RT-PCR test.
- Travelers without a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours are required to self-isolate for 7 days
Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
Residents and/or tourists seeking a visa extension should contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The Pristina International Airport is open to all travelers, however flights from the U.K. have been suspended.
Neither U.S. nor Kosovo citizens can enter the EU as of June 28, 2020. This travel bandoes not include passengers in transit, but often transit is limited to one country within the EU and/or Schengen Zone. Check with the airlines, airports, and the U.S. Embassies located in your countries of transit to verify entry/exit requirements and be aware that they change frequently.
Borders remain open with Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Montenegro requires a negative PCR test for private citizens entering from Kosovo. Serbia has instituted a requirement for a negative PCR test upon entry but stated this does not apply to travelers coming from Kosovo. Check the entry/exit requirements for each country before crossing international land borders.

Movement Restrictions

Is a curfew in place? Yes. From 22:30 until 05:00.
- Restaurants and bars are open until 22:00.
- Public transportation is limited to 50% capacity.
- There are limitations on gatherings.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
Full curfew and movement restrictions can be found here.
Wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth is mandatory in all cases except when driving alone or with close family members, during running and cycling, when walking outside residential areas and in groups with not more than 4 people of the same family.

Quarantine Information

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
- Travelers without a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours are required to self-isolate for 7 days.

Transportation Options

Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Reduced levels of commercial flights are available, but schedules change frequently so we recommend you check with the airline and/or travel agency for regular updates.
Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Taxis are 50% capacity (1 passenger) or 3 passengers from the same family, and masks are required.

Fines for Non-Compliance

Hefty fines and prison sentences are being issued for non-compliance with mask wearing requirements, however enforcement is inconsistent.

Consular Operations

American Citizen Services: Although appointments are still limited due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, we are now accepting all emergency, first-time, and renewal passport applications; cases will be prioritized based on need. Some records of birth abroad (CRBA) are also being scheduled subject to staffing availability. Please follow the directions for the service you require at https://xk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ and then email PristinaACS@state.gov to schedule an appointment.
Immigrant Visas: We are processing emergency visa cases and other immigrant visa cases based on priorities set by Consular Affairs (these include the following visa types: IR/CR1s, IR/CR2s, IR/IH3s, and IR/IH4s). We will continue to add appointments as resources permit. Recently we started processing fiancé (K1) visas in the order in which they were received at Post. Please email Pristinavisas@state.gov.
Nonimmigrant Visas: Services for first time tourist visas and many other student, work, and exchange visas have not resumed. At this time, we are unable to project a date for when these services will resume. If you have had a valid tourist visa in the past 48 months and are seeking a renewal, please email Pristinavisas@state.gov for instructions on how to apply under the Interview Waiver Program.

Local Resources

Kosovo National Institute of Public Health web and Facebook page (Albanian only)
Pristina airport
Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency – Border Control
Kosovo Border Police
Kosovo University Hospital – Infectious Disease Clinic (Albanian only)