COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 01/21/21

*** 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.

Country-Specific Information

Regarding the above, officials at the Pristina airport as well as airlines are already checking U.S. bound passengers for negative test documentation. We recommend that all travelers departing before January 26 consider taking the test in order to avoid delays.
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.
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 recently 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).
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.
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)
- 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
- Movement is prohibited from 21:30-05:00 for Pristina and other high-risk (red) municipalities, except for emergency needs, which include health, security, and justice personnel.
- Restaurants and bars are closed from 21:30-05:00.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
Full curfew and movement restrictions can be found here (Albanian only, pages 13-18): https://kryeministri-ks.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Vendimet-e-Mbledhjes-se-58-t%C3%AB-Qeveris%C3%AB.pdf.

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: Services are limited to emergencies. Please contact us if you have an expired or expiring passport. Appointments will be prioritized based on need and availability. Please email PristinaACS@state.gov
Routine visa services have not resumed due to high COVID-19 levels in Kosovo. We are processing emergency visa cases as well as a limited number of immigrant visa cases based on the priority set by Consular Affairs. We will continue to add appointments as the situation improves and/or as resources permit. Please email Pristinavisas@state.gov

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)