Health Care in Durres
Summary: Explore healthcare options for expatriates and digital nomads in Durres: uncover top-rated providers, hospitals, and medical facilities to meet your needs while living abroad in Durres.
The system in Durres, consists of both public and private healthcare facilities. While the public healthcare system is accessible to foreigners, the quality of care may not be up to the standards expected by expats and digital nomads.
Albania's Healthcare System
Albania's public healthcare system, known as the Institute of health insurance and Health Care (ISKK), is available to both locals and foreigners. However, public hospitals in Durres may not be recommended for serious medical emergencies or major surgeries due to limited resources and outdated equipment. Public hospitals in Durres can be crowded, and the quality of care may not be up to the standards expected by expats and digital nomads. Foreigners are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Albania, but many expats and digital nomads prefer to use private hospitals for better quality care. Private hospitals are generally recommended for serious medical emergencies and major surgeries, as they offer more modern facilities and higher standards of care.
Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Durres
Some recommended clinics and hospitals in Durres include:
- American Hospital Durres - a private hospital located in the city center
- Spitali Rajonal Durres - a public hospital located in the city center
- Intermedica Clinic - a private clinic specializing in internal medicine and cardiology, located in the city center
If there are no suitable hospitals in Durres for specialized medical care or surgeries, expats may need to travel to the capital city, Tirana, which is approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) away by car.
Emergency Services in Durres
There are ambulance services in Durres, and the emergency number to call for an ambulance is 127. However, response times may vary, and there can be delays in receiving emergency medical assistance.
Health Insurance Companies in Durres
Some popular private health insurance companies in Durres include Sigal UNIQA Group Austria, SIGMA Interalbanian, and Eurolife. Expats and digital nomads may choose to use these local insurance providers or opt for specialized expat health insurance providers to ensure they have adequate coverage while living in Albania.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


