Arrival in Kosovo

Before travel, check the visa rules for your nationality through Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If a visa is required, obtain it from a diplomatic or consular mission before entering Kosovo. A visa does not guarantee admission. Entry requires a valid travel document and, where applicable, a visa or residence permit. Border Police may also request evidence of a credible purpose, sufficient funds, accommodation or sponsorship, health-related conditions and the absence of an entry ban or security, public-order or public-health risk. The financial reference is EUR 20 per adult per day and EUR 10 per minor per day, with a minimum of EUR 100 or EUR 50 for each entry. Cash, a cheque, a payment card, an employment contract or another accepted document may prove the funds. Kosovo has no single general welcome office or universally provided state-arranged first accommodation. Border control is handled by the Kosovo Police and Border Police. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, abbreviated MIA, handles immigration administration, while its Department for Citizenship, Asylum and Migration, abbreviated DCAM, handles many residence matters. Local municipalities provide services according to their responsibilities. A host or accommodation provider must report a foreign national staying for up to 90 days to the nearest police station within 12 hours and keep the relevant records for at least three years. The foreign national must report the address within three days of entry at the border or at the nearest police station. The address declaration is called lajmërimi i adresës; from 15 March 2026 it can also be submitted through the MIA and Kosovo Police application, website or mobile service. Failure to report after entry can lead to an entry ban. Carry your identity or travel document while in Kosovo. Working without a work permit is prohibited. A stay longer than 90 days requires a temporary residence permit. A visa-free foreign national normally applies to DCAM, while other applicants generally apply through a diplomatic or consular mission, subject to exceptions for study and certain other cases. The application can require proof of ownership or a notarized rental contract, minimum housing standards, health insurance, documents proving the purpose of stay and, where required, a criminal-record certificate with translation. The travel document should remain valid for at least three months beyond the requested permit period. DCAM decides an application within a maximum of 30 days. An appeal must be filed within eight days, and the Appeals Commission has a maximum of 30 days to decide. A general temporary residence permit is issued for one year. The fee is EUR 50 for employment, EUR 30 for family reunification and EUR 10 for study; replacement of a lost or damaged permit costs EUR 10. Apply for an extension at least 30 days before expiry. A permit holder must report a change of address within eight days to a police station or DCAM and must deregister before leaving Kosovo. The municipal Civil Status Office may additionally register vendbanim, meaning residence, or vendqëndrim, meaning place of stay, under the applicable administrative instruction and can issue a certificate on request. Confirm the responsible municipal office locally because implementation can differ between municipalities. Travel, accommodation, translation, notary and insurance costs are separate from the listed permit fees. Information and integration support is limited to legally defined categories, including applicants for international protection, refugees, people with subsidiary or temporary protection, stateless people, holders of temporary or permanent residence permits and their family members. MIA and the Department for Reintegration of Repatriated Persons and Integration of Foreigners, abbreviated DRRPIF, provide basic information after lawful status is established, in an official language or another understandable language. DRRPIF and the municipality may assess needs and prepare an individual integration plan. Available support can include official-language courses at A1 or A2 level with a test and certificate, courses on history, culture, traditions and the state system, and information about education, work, health, social services, housing and support groups. Municipalities advise on local services. The Municipal Office for Communities and Return accepts applications and complaints, while the Centre for Social Affairs, called Qendra për Punë Sociale, assists vulnerable cases. Under Regulation GRK 05/2026, food, hygiene and material packages may be available to people in difficult socioeconomic circumstances. Accommodation for protected persons beyond two years requires an individual needs assessment and is not a general entitlement for every newcomer. For emergencies, call 112 free of charge at any time for medical emergencies, fire or police assistance; 194 is also used for medical emergencies. Non-Kosovar residents must receive emergency treatment without delay under the same conditions as Kosovo residents. Broader access to education, health care, social programs, vocational training, employment, free legal aid and justice services depends on the person's legal status and eligibility. The general arrival process therefore combines border requirements, prompt address reporting, lawful residence planning and registration with the municipality responsible for the place of stay.