Organize your stay Kosovo
Money Kosovo
The euro is the official currency of Kosovo since 2002. However, as the country is not part of the euro zone, a commission is retained for each withdrawal. The fees vary from bank to bank. In general, each withdrawal incurs a fixed fee of €3 and a commission of 2-3% of the amount withdrawn. Some local banks have partnerships with foreign banks and offer advantageous fees or even free withdrawals. Ask your bank advisor for more information. Another thing to know: in the Serbian enclaves, especially in a large part of northern Kosovo, the reference currency is the Serbian dinar (RSD) and the euro is not always accepted. It is better to make a withdrawal in Serbian dinar (in North Mitrovica, for example) than to change your euros: the exchange offices charge not very advantageous rates. The Serbian dinar rate fluctuates slightly against the euro. In January 2022, one euro was worth 117 RSD and 100 RSD was worth 0.85 €
Budget & Tips Kosovo
Kosovo is the poorest country in Europe. As a result, it is possible to spend a holiday here on a modest budget. However, in Pristina, it is becoming difficult to find a decent hotel for less than €50 for two with breakfast. The average offer is rather around €80 and even more expensive (and good quality) hotels are numerous. Youth hostels can be found for around €10 per night per person. In the rest of the country, hotel rates are about 30-40% lower than in the capital and there are some really interesting self-catering options in the countryside. To eat, budget less than €20 per day per person. In a qebaptore (grill), it will cost you less than 5 € per person for a meal, but often the meat is not of good quality. For a full meal in a restaurant, you should count between 5 and 10 € per person (without alcohol). Transport wise, it's very interesting. The price of fuel per litre is about 30-35 cents cheaper than in France. The longest distances by bus cost 4 € per person.
Passport and visas Kosovo
EU citizens are allowed to enter Kosovo upon presentation of a valid National Identity Card (CNIS) or passport. They can stay for 90 days over a six-month period without further formalities. Beyond that, you must register with the Kosovar Ministry of the Interior. If you come to Kosovo with your vehicle, you will have to buy a specific green card (insurance), valid for Kosovo (about 15 €/fifteen days). This insurance can be bought at the border posts or on the Internet(bks-ks.org).
Driver's license Kosovo
All driving licences of EU countries are recognised in Kosovo. The European traffic regulations also apply everywhere. You can come here with your own vehicle, but check your insurance, you may have to pay extra if Kosovo is not included in your policy.
Health Kosovo
Due to the lack of doctors, the quality of care is lower than in Western Europe. Most embassies recommend subscribing to repatriation assistance before departure. Given the infrastructure, we formally advise you not to seek medical treatment in the country. Before leaving, a few precautions should be taken: consult your doctor (and possibly your dentist) and take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation; in the event of a serious health problem, repatriation is preferable to local treatment (check before you leave that this guarantee is included in your insurance policy); your usual medicines may be difficult to find locally, so it is advisable to travel with your own medicine kit
Mandatory vaccination Kosovo
The vaccinations recommended in the vaccination calendar must be carried out or updated (in particular against diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis and measles). Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. Depending on the type of stay, vaccinations against hepatitis B and typhoid may be recommended. Ask your doctor for advice.
Security Kosovo
Tourists and women traveling alone are quite safe in Kosovo. Thefts, physical violence, incivilities and scams against them are extremely rare, rarer than in big Western European cities. However, there is no need to tempt the devil by leaving your laptop or your latest camera alone and in evidence on the terrace of a café. However, it is important to take into account current events and local developments: diplomatic tensions with Serbia can lead to violence against Slavic minorities or simply to blockades at border crossings. On these issues, you will find information in French on the websites of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Canada, which are updated regularly, particularly on the "Advice to Travelers" pages of the embassies. It is recommended to use only registered cabs, with a clearly visible company name. In case of assault, it is recommended not to resist. It is advisable to file a complaint at the police station and to alert the consular service of your embassy as soon as possible. The risk linked to the presence of antipersonnel mines and unexploded ordnance remains real. The greatest caution is therefore necessary outside of transit and settlement areas, especially in mountainous areas. Concerning unexploded ordnance, the places at risk are those of the areas bombed by NATO in 1999: border posts, barracks, military depots. For anti-personnel mines, the areas concerned are concentrated on the borders. In any case, if the main and secondary roads are cleared of mines, do not stray from the marked paths. Therefore, only use the most frequented roads and paths.
Time difference Kosovo
There is no time difference with France, Belgium and Switzerland, the summer and winter time is calculated in the same way with a time change at the same time.
Spoken languages Kosovo
The two official national languages are Albanian and Serbian. About 85% of the population speaks standard Albanian (the same as in Albania). About 35% of the population speaks Serbo-Croatian (Serb, Montenegrin, Bosnian, Goran and Croatian minorities, as well as Roma and a large proportion of Albanians born until the 1980s). In the Serbian enclaves (North Mitrovica, Gračanica/Graçanica, Zubin Potok, etc.), the Serbian language is used. It is most often written in Serbian Cyrillic characters. In Prizren, the country's second largest city, Turkish is spoken or understood by about 15-20% of the population. The Kosovar Albanian diaspora is mainly based in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. German and Italian are therefore the two most widely spoken foreign languages in the country, far ahead of French. English, on the other hand, is increasingly widespread among young people and professionals in the tourism sector
Communication Kosovo
Not too much trouble to connect. Wifi is available in almost all hotels and restaurants. If you want to use your flat rate, you'll need to activate the international option (usually free) before you leave by calling your operator's customer service. When you use your phone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make the call or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made to or from abroad are not included in the package, including those to voicemail. It is possible to buy a prepaid card in Kosovo. You will then have a local number. However, make sure before you leave that your phone allows it. Some operators sometimes block the use of a SIM card other than their own. It is necessary to ask them to unblock the device before the departure.
Electricity and measurements Kosovo
The plugs are the same as in France, Belgium and Switzerland. Sometimes the electricity network is faulty and power cuts occur. This is less and less frequent, however. Most hotels and restaurants are equipped with generators. If you wish to reside in Kosovo, the presence of a generator may be one of the criteria to take into account.
Luggage Kosovo
It all depends on the season you plan to stay in Kosovo. In summer, it is hot, even very hot. But the evenings can be a bit cool. Prefer light clothes and take a small windbreaker just in case. In winter, it is cold (down to -20°C) and there may be snow. Warm clothes adapted to the snow (especially shoes) are recommended. In spring and autumn, the weather can be mild and cool. It is advisable to bring clothing for these different situations: T-shirts and sweaters, light shoes and socks. Whatever the season, take a small first-aid kit with the basics. This is even more important if you are undergoing a particular treatment or are subject to allergies or chronic illnesses. The local health system is not optimal. It is better to be autonomous.
