02 - Preparations - before the trip to Kosovo

Vaccinations: A hepatitis A vaccination is generally advisable for the Mediterranean region and southern European countries (note: not mandatory!). It protects against liver inflammation, which is transmitted through contaminated food or water. In Austria, the vaccination is now part of the paediatric vaccination schedule, while in Germany and Switzerland it is primarily recommended as a travel and indication vaccination.

After two vaccinations, protection lasts for at least 10 to 14 years, and protection is often assumed to last even longer. If travelling at short notice, vaccination should be started as soon as possible (ideally at least 2 weeks in advance), as vaccination protection only takes effect after around 1-2 weeks.

Insurance: First of all - medical care in Prishtina or Prizren is generally very good, the doctors have mostly studied in D/A/CH. Most hospitals are modern and well equipped.

Foreign health insurance with repatriation insurance is nevertheless advisable, as outside the EU there is usually no agreement regarding treatment with the local statutory health insurance. However, it is definitely worth consulting your own health insurance company, as there are certainly one or two special regulations/exceptions. Hanse-Merkur, Europäische or Allianz, for example, offer comprehensive cover with treatments, medicines and remedies and often repatriation, with tariffs available for short trips or as long-term insurance.

Comparison portals (check24, durchblicker etc.) provide an overview.

Travelling with pets: To enter Kosovo with dogs or cats, an EU pet passport, a valid rabies vaccination (min. 30 days, max. 12 months old) and microchip identification are required. A current veterinary health certificate is also recommended. Up to 5 animals can be carried.

Here are the most important details:

- Vaccination: The rabies vaccination must of course be valid.

- Documents: An EU pet passport (so-called ‘Blue Passport’, EU Pet Passport) is required for the animal to enter the country; this is issued by authorised registered veterinarians. Costs from approx. 30,-- without chip and vaccination.

- Prerequisite for issuing: microchip identification (15 digits, ISO standard), this is done before the rabies vaccination. Costs 30,-- to 70,-- Euro each. The rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old at the time of entry. Attention for puppies/kittens: they can only be vaccinated against rabies at 12 weeks of age, so entry with kittens is only possible at 15 weeks of age.

- A health certificate is also required. With examination up to approx. 80,-- Euro.

But that is not the end of the story, travelling back to the EU is associated with further measures. A rabies antibody test (titer determination) with a positive result is mandatory. This is carried out by an authorised EU laboratory (in consultation with the vet) and the result must be noted in the EU pet passport.

In practice it looks like this: After the rabies vaccination, the 21 days must pass until complete protection, then you have to wait another 9 days until the blood sample is taken for the titer test. Three months must elapse between the time the blood sample is taken and re-entry into the EU. For young animals, this means that they must be at least 7 months old to be allowed back into the EU.

The same conditions apply to travelling by plane, although the transport conditions vary.

There are no restrictions on the breeds that may be imported, nor is there a leash or muzzle requirement. However, out of consideration for other travellers, dogs should be kept on a lead in public and on campsites.

Local supply: The choice of dog food in Kosovo has grown in recent years and you can find both international brands and specific imports. Availability is particularly good in the larger cities such as Pristina, where pet shops, supermarkets and veterinary surgeries offer food.

- Pet shops: Examples are Jonatan Pets & Vets (3x in Prishtina, 13 Hajrullah Abdullahu, Albi Mall, Rruga Tirana, https://www.jonatan-ks.com/; and Petville (Rruga B, Prishtina).

- Veterinary practices/veterinary clinics: Vetpoint Prishtina (Jakovë Xoxa, Prishtina, +38345693777), Paws Hospital (Andrea Aleksi, Prishtina, +38344458006), Petfor Clinic (Rrustem Statovci, Prishtina, +38348295567);

Drones - legal and practical information: Long gone are the days when drones could still be imported and used for private purposes largely without restrictions.

Professionals deal with the topic in detail and provide us with information.

An excellently organised and up-to-date page is this one:

https://drohnen-camp.de/drohnen-gesetze-in-kosovo/?srsltid=AfmBOopISIIie4ATJXfQBdfOvXmHWhmyME4ZUXktwWUlODcUrhhdP37k