Introduction: Healthcare in Tirana — a quick overview and first pointers
Tirana, Albania’s lively and fast-changing capital, attracts visitors, expats and investors. As with any major European city in development, access to healthcare is a key concern for temporary and permanent residents alike. This guide gives you a practical, comprehensive overview of healthcare and pharmacies in the city: how public and private services work, where to go in an emergency, which pharmacies are open 24/7, typical costs in euros for consultations and tests, and local tips to avoid surprises.
Healthcare in Tirana is delivered through a mix of public institutions — including the city’s largest university hospital — and modern private clinics. The public sector covers emergencies, general surgery, maternity, pediatrics and internal medicine. The private sector offers specialist clinics, diagnostic labs and imaging centers equipped with up-to-date gear. For travellers, two things matter most: locating hospitals able to handle major emergencies and finding late-night or 24-hour pharmacies for over-the-counter meds or prescriptions.
This guide includes exact addresses, typical opening hours, price ranges in euros (consultation, lab tests, X-ray, common medicines), and practical advice (what documents to bring, payment, insurance). It also explains the usual way of getting treated: many doctors speak English, but it’s always helpful to have the drug name written down and, if possible, a translation into Albanian. We cover how pharmacies (farmaci) operate, analysis labs, specialist clinics (dental, gynecology, dermatology) and emergency services. You’ll also find local tips — for example which pharmacies stock homeopathic or cosmetic products, how to avoid long queues at labs, and where to find an on-call doctor at the weekend.
This guide is designed to be used before you travel or during your stay in Tirana. Information is organized for quick lookup (emergencies, maternity, 24h pharmacy, laboratory, private practice, insurance). The addresses are physical locations of the facilities; the hours are the ones commonly observed, but it’s always wise to call ahead. Prices are given in euros and are realistic estimates as of April 2026, based on typical rates in Tirana. This helps you plan a realistic healthcare budget, understand value for money and decide between public and private care.
The main hospital: Qendra Spitalore Universitare « Nënë Tereza » (Mother Teresa University Hospital Center)
Qendra Spitalore Universitare « Nënë Tereza » (Mother Teresa University Hospital Center, often shortened to QSUT) is Tirana’s largest and most comprehensive public hospital. Located in the north-central part of the city, it’s the primary referral center for severe emergencies, surgery, maternity and specialist services. Exact address: Qendra Spitalore Universitare Nënë Tereza, Rruga e Dibrës, Tirana 1000, Albania. Main entrance: 20 Rruga e Dibrës (GPS: approximately 41.3455, 19.8200). General phone: +355 4 222 0000 (check before you go). The emergency department is open 24/7.
Services and specialties: QSUT provides emergency care, general and specialized surgery (cardiac, orthopedic, neurosurgery depending on availability), maternity (vaginal births and C-sections), neonatology and pediatrics. As a university hospital, it’s also a training center for doctors and nurses; this means that care may involve multidisciplinary teams including residents and senior specialists.
Opening hours: the emergency department is open 24/7. Outpatient clinics (polyclinics) generally run Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00. Administrative services (admissions, billing) are usually open roughly 08:00–15:00 on weekdays. Expect long queues at outpatient clinics; arriving early in the morning is often recommended.
Indicative costs in euros (public, uninsured): emergency registration: 10–20 EUR for administrative fees (urgent care is prioritized and, in severe cases, immediate treatment may not be billed upfront); outpatient clinic consultation: 5–15 EUR; simple radiology (chest X-ray): 10–25 EUR; abdominal ultrasound: 20–40 EUR; hospitalization (per day, shared room): 15–30 EUR. Prices may vary depending on severity, need for surgery and medical supplies used.
Practical tips: bring an ID (passport) and, if possible, a copy of medical records or prescriptions. If you have international insurance, notify reception on arrival and ask about reimbursement procedures. Waiting times for non-urgent procedures can be long — consider private care for scheduled operations if you want speed and comfort.
Recommended private clinics — speed, comfort and specialties
The private sector in Tirana has advanced considerably: modern clinics, well-equipped private labs and doctors trained abroad. These facilities are a good option for travellers who want fast access, English-speaking services and higher comfort. Below is a representative selection with addresses, hours and estimated prices.
-
American Hospital Tirana – American Hospital Clinic
Address: Rruga Qemal Stafa 45, Tirana 1010, Albania. Phone: +355 4 277 7000. Hours: reception 08:00–20:00 (consultations by appointment), limited 24/7 emergency for inpatients. Services: cardiology, general surgery, obstetrics, imaging. Indicative prices: specialist consultation 40–80 EUR, ECG 20 EUR, ultrasound 35–60 EUR, private room hospitalization 120–200 EUR/night. -
Medical Park Tirana (Klinika Private Medical Park)
Address: Rruga Myslym Shyri 119, Tirana 1001, Albania. Phone: +355 4 223 3344. Hours: 07:30–19:30 (consultations), limited emergency coverage. Services: imaging (MRI, CT), orthopedics, physiotherapy. Indicative prices: CT scan 120–180 EUR, MRI 200–300 EUR depending on the area, orthopedic consultation 50–90 EUR. -
Poliklinika « Sanatoriumi i qytetit » – City Sanatorium Clinic
Address: Rruga e Kavajës 131, Tirana 1000, Albania. Phone: +355 4 231 1001. Hours: 08:00–18:00 (Mon–Fri), 09:00–14:00 (Sat). Services: dermatology, gynecology, dentistry. Indicative prices: general consultation 30–50 EUR, simple dental filling 30–70 EUR, scaling 25–45 EUR.
Why choose private? The main differences are usually faster access and better comfort (private rooms, multilingual staff). Private clinics typically accept international bank cards and can bill in euros on request. Keep in mind that costs are often significantly higher than in the public sector.
Pharmacies (farmaci): finding medicines, opening hours, on-call pharmacies
Pharmacies in Tirana (farmaci) are numerous and well distributed across the city. They dispense prescription medicines and over-the-counter products (painkillers, antihistamines, antiseptics, dressings, supplements). Many pharmacists speak English and can help translate prescriptions. Here’s a practical selection of pharmacies with addresses, hours and indicative prices for some common meds.
-
Farmacia 24 Orë – Pharmacy 24 Hours (Pharmacy on Duty)
Address: Rruga Pjetër Bogdani 22, Tirana 1001, Albania. Phone: +355 4 222 4444. Hours: open 24/7, 7 days a week. Products: painkillers, prescription antibiotics, dressings, baby products. Indicative prices: Paracetamol 500 mg (20 tabs) ~ 1.50–2.50 EUR; Ibuprofen 400 mg (20 tabs) ~ 2.00–3.50 EUR; topical antibiotic ointment ~ 4–8 EUR. -
Farmacia « Besa » – Besa Pharmacy
Address: Rruga e Dibrës 78, Tirana 1001, Albania (near QSUT). Phone: +355 4 223 5566. Hours: 08:00–22:00 (Mon–Sat), 09:00–18:00 (Sun). Prices: fluimucil 200 mg ~ 3–5 EUR; dermatological moisturiser 8–20 EUR. -
Pharmacia « Skanderbeg » – Skanderbeg Pharmacy
Address: Sheshi Skënderbej (Skanderbeg Square), Rruga Murat Toptani, Tirana 1001, Albania. Phone: +355 4 222 7788. Hours: 09:00–21:00. Ideal location for tourists in the city centre.
On-call pharmacies: most pharmacies display a duty rota (farmaci e dehur) at their entrance. If a pharmacy is closed, look for the nearest 24-hour pharmacy (often near the city centre or next to hospitals). Medicine prices can vary; generics are common and much cheaper than brand names. Always bring the original prescription for antibiotics: local regulations often require a prescription to dispense certain antibiotics.
Laboratories and imaging: where to get fast, reliable tests
For biological tests (bloodwork, screening tests, PCR COVID) and medical imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI), Tirana has both public and well-equipped private options. Private labs often deliver rapid results (24 hours or less) and provide services in English. Here are some addresses and indicative rates.
-
Labtest – Laboratori Clinic « Labtest »
Address: Rruga Abdullah Gjata 10, Tirana 1001, Albania. Phone: +355 4 232 0000. Hours: 07:30–18:00 (Mon–Fri), 08:00–13:00 (Sat). Services: full blood panels (CBC, liver panel, creatinine), PCR COVID. Indicative prices: CBC (complete blood count): 8–15 EUR; full liver panel: 20–40 EUR; rapid PCR COVID: 50–80 EUR (depending on turnaround time). -
Radiology Center Tirana – Qendra e Radiologjisë
Address: Rruga Myslym Shyri 43, Tirana 1001, Albania. Phone: +355 4 234 5566. Hours: 08:00–20:00 (Mon–Sat). Services: X-ray, CT, MRI. Indicative prices: simple X-ray 15–30 EUR; CT scan 120–200 EUR; MRI 180–350 EUR depending on the area.
Practical tips: for blood tests, come in the morning fasting if the test requires it. Always request a printed copy of results in English if a physician abroad needs to review them. Many private labs accept card payments and can send results by secure email.
Dental care, maternity and specialties: what to expect and how much to pay
Dental care: Tirana has modern dental practices, often at much lower prices than in Western Europe. Well-rated, bilingual clinics are found near the city centre. Representative example: Dental Clinic « Smile Center », address: Rruga Donika Kastrioti 12, Tirana 1001. Hours: 09:00–19:00 (Mon–Sat). Indicative prices: dental consultation 20–40 EUR, composite filling 40–80 EUR, root canal treatment 100–180 EUR, dental implant 450–900 EUR depending on the material.
Maternity: in addition to the QSUT maternity service (see above), several private clinics specialize in obstetrics/gynecology and offer prenatal care, 3D/4D ultrasounds and deliveries in private rooms. Example: Maternity Clinic « Aureola » (Klinika e Maternitetit Aureola), address: Rruga Ibrahim Rugova 10, Tirana 1010. Consultation hours: 08:00–18:00. Indicative fees: full prenatal package (consultations + ultrasounds): 300–600 EUR; natural delivery in a private clinic: 800–1,800 EUR; cesarean section: 1,500–3,000 EUR (depending on length of stay and neonatal care needed).
Other specialties: aesthetic dermatology, ophthalmology (cataract surgery) and orthopedics (joint replacements) are available privately. Prices vary widely: orthopedic surgery (hip replacement) 4,000–9,000 EUR, cataract surgery (per eye) 700–1,500 EUR depending on the lens.
Advice: for major procedures (surgery, delivery, implants) request a written detailed estimate, a list of pre-op tests and the expected hospital stay. Check what languages the care team speaks and whether a translator can be provided if needed.
Emergencies, insurance and administrative steps
Emergencies: in a life-threatening emergency call the local emergency number 112 (the European emergency number). Ambulance services to public hospitals are coordinated via this number. Private ambulances also operate and can be contacted directly through the private hospitals listed above.
Insurance: visitors are strongly advised to take out travel insurance that covers medical expenses and medical repatriation. Private clinics often require immediate payment or a credit card at consultation; in case of hospitalization they may ask for a deposit. Check in advance whether your insurer accepts bills in euros and understand the reimbursement procedure.
Documents to bring: identity card or passport, insurance card (if any), list of allergies, a brief medical record (list of current medications) and copies of prescriptions. For prolonged treatment, request medical certificates in English for your insurance company.
Local practical tip: many pharmacies and clinics accept WhatsApp messages for appointments and for sending photos of prescriptions — this speeds up triage. Expats often rely on local groups (Facebook/Telegram) to get recommendations and names of English-speaking doctors.
Conclusion: Prepare well for worry-free care in Tirana
Tirana offers a full range of healthcare services, from the large public university hospital (Qendra Spitalore Universitare « Nënë Tereza ») to modern private clinics and late-opening pharmacies. The choice between public and private care depends on urgency, budget and the need for comfort or English-speaking staff. For severe emergencies and some advanced surgeries, QSUT remains the referral center; for scheduled procedures, quick consultations or high-quality imaging, the private sector is often preferred despite higher costs.
Preparing for medical needs in Tirana requires just a few basic precautions: take out travel/health insurance that covers the entire stay and, if possible, have your prescriptions translated or duplicated. Keep copies of lab results and request medical records in English to help coordinate care with doctors abroad. For medicines, rely on 24-hour pharmacies at night and choose generics to lower costs. Finally, the rates listed in this guide in euros are estimates to help you plan; always call the chosen facility to get an official quote before any procedure.
In short: with a bit of organisation, Tirana provides reliable and accessible healthcare. Whether you’re a tourist, expat or resident, identify nearby facilities before you arrive (hospital, private clinic, 24h pharmacy), bring essential medical documents and inform your insurer. Albanian healthcare professionals are generally welcoming and professional, and more teams now speak English, which makes getting care easier. This guide gives you the practical landmarks you need to navigate Tirana’s health system and find the care that suits your needs.
