What is the capital of Kosovo?

Capital	Pristina (PrishtinePrishtina)
Government Type	parliamentary republic
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Total Area	4,203 Square Miles 10,887 Square Kilometers
Location	Southeast Europebetween Serbia and Macedonia
Language	Albanian (official)Serbian (official)BosnianTurkishRoma
GDP - real growth rate	3.2%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$0.00 (USD)

What is the population of Kosovo?

Ethnic Groups	Albanians 88%Serbs 7%other 5% (BosniakGoraniRomaTurkAshkaliEgyptian)
Nationality Noun	Kosovar (Albanian)Kosovac (Serbian)
Population	1,932,774
Urban Population	0.000000

What type of government does Kosovo have?

Executive Branch	chief of state: President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021) head of government: Acting Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 15 April 2025) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Assembly election/appointment process: president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; if a candidate does not reach this threshold in the first two ballotsthe candidate winning a simple majority vote in the third ballot is elected; prime minister indirectly elected by the Assembly most recent election date: 3-4 April 2021 election results: 2021: Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu elected president in third ballot; Assembly vote - Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (Guxo!) 71 votes; Albin KURTI (LVV) elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 67 for30 against 2017: Ramush HARADINAJ (AAK) elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 61 for1 abstention0 against (opposition boycott) 2016: Hashim THACI elected president in third ballot; Assembly vote - Hashim THACI (PDK) 71 votes expected date of next election: 2026 note: Prime Minister Albin KURTI resigned on 15 April 2025; a replacement has not yet been selected
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Citizenship	citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kosovo dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
National Holiday	Independence Day17 February (2008)
Constitution	history: previous 19741990; latest (postindependence) draft finalized 2 April 2008signed 7 April 2008ratified 9 April 2008entered into force 15 June 2008; note - amendment 24passed by the Assembly in August 2015established the Kosovo Relocated Specialist Institutionreferred to as the Kosovo Specialist Chamber or "Specialist Court," to try war crimescrimes against humanityand other crimes under Kosovo law committed during and immediately after the Kosovo War (1998-2000) amendments: proposed by the governmentby the president of the republicor by one fourth of Assembly deputies; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assemblyincluding two-thirds majority vote of deputies representing non-majority communitiesfollowed by a favorable Constitutional Court assessment; amended several timeslast in 2020
Independence	17 February 2008 (from Serbia)

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How big is the Kosovo economy?

Economic Overview	Kosovo's economy has shown progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stabilitybut it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in GermanySwitzerlandand the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for about 17% of GDP and international donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. With international assistanceKosovo has been able to privatize a majority of its state-owned enterprises. Kosovo's citizens are the second poorest in Europeafter Moldovawith a per capita GDP (PPP) of $10,400 in 2017. An unemployment rate of 33%and a youth unemployment rate near 60%in a country where the average age is 26encourages emigration and fuels a significant informalunreported economy. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capitalPristina. Inefficientnear-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plotslimited mechanizationand a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. Howeverhigh levels of corruptionlittle contract enforcementand unreliable electricity supply have discouraged potential investors. The official currency of Kosovo is the eurobut the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Minerals and metals production - including ligniteleadzincnickelchromealuminummagnesiumand a wide variety of construction materials - once the backbone of industryhas declined because of aging equipment and insufficient investmentproblems exacerbated by competing and unresolved ownership claims of Kosovo’s largest mines. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a major impediment to economic development. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of Kosovo Ca new lignite-fired power plant that would leverage Kosovo’s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older bituminous-fired power plantKosovo Band the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants. In June 2009Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fundthe Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013. In 2016Kosovo implemented the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations with the EUfocused on trade liberalization. In 2014nearly 60% of customs duty-eligible imports into Kosovo were EU goods. In August 2015as part of its EU-facilitated normalization process with SerbiaKosovo signed agreements on telecommunications and energy distributionbut disagreements over who owns economic assetssuch as the Trepca mining conglomeratewithin Kosovo continue. Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increasesand the government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The governmentled by Prime Minister MUSTAFA - a trained economist - recently made several changes to its fiscal policyexpanding the list of duty-free importsdecreasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) for basic food items and public utilitiesand increasing the VAT for all other goods. While Kosovo’s economy continued to make progressunemployment has not been reducednor living standards raiseddue to lack of economic reforms and investment.
Industries	mineral miningconstruction materialsbase metalsleathermachineryappliances
Currency Name and Code	Euro (EUR)

What current events are happening in Kosovo?
Source: Google News

What makes Kosovo a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Kosovo has been an independent nation since 2008. While Kosovo’s government and institutions have sole responsibility for administration of the statethe international presence remains activeincluding police and NATO military forces. The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) transferred rule of law functions to the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in 2008. Civilian institutionsincluding the criminal justice systemare not yet fully functioning at a level consistent with Western standards. Kosovo’s is a cash economywith the Euro used nationwide. Tourist facilities are very limited.

Crime

High unemployment and other economic factors encourage criminal activity. Street crimes-- in particular thefts and purse snatchings-- are serious problems in Kosovoespecially in Pristina. Criminals often commit crimes while armedoften with handguns. Foreigners can be targets of crimeas criminals assume that they carry cash. Likewiseforeigners’ homes and vehiclesand international non-governmental organization (NGO) offices can be targeted for burglaries.

The Kosovo Police (KP) carry out normal police functions. EULEX personnel mentoradviseand monitor both the police and other local authorities and institutions; they also have a limited policing role on certain issues. The judicial system is still developing with international oversight.

Take some time before travel to learn how to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for personal security.

Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goodseven if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United Statesif you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Kosovoyou are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our ownand criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visitbut still illegal in the United States; for instanceyou can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Kosovoyour U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

If Arrested: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign countrythat might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstancesrequest that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the event that you are arrested or detained overseas.

Civilian institutionsincluding the criminal justice systemare not presently functioning at a level consistent with Western standards.

Persons violating Kosovo's lawseven unknowinglymay be expelledarrestedor imprisoned. Penalties for possessingusingor trafficking in illegal drugs in Kosovo are severeand convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical facilities in Kosovo consist of private medical clinics and the government sponsored University Clinical Center. Quality controls are lacking in many medical facilities. Medical care is below Western European or U.S. standards. Supplies are often in short supplyand sufficient hygiene and nursing care is lacking. The KFOR Medical Division does not provide care or medical evacuation for non-military personnel. You can find information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Routine vaccinations are recommended for travel to Kosovoand include Hepatitis A vaccinationHepatitis B vaccinationand up to date TetanusMeasles Mumps and Rubella.

Safety and Security

The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR)along with local police and assisted by EULEX policeare responsible for security and stability in Kosovo. Although the overall security situation has improvedinter-ethnic tensions and sporadic incidents of violence continue to occur.

Per standing security instructionsU.S. government officials assigned to Kosovo may only travel to LeposavicZubin Potokand Zvecan for official business; these restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future. U.S. citizens should be especially cognizant of security conditions at borders between northern Kosovo and Serbia—specifically Gates 1 and 31 at Jarinje and Brnjak—where political violence has occurred on many occasions. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and other sitessuch as roadblockswhere large crowds are gathered. U.S. citizens should particularly try to avoid events involving political/ethnic causesand should be aware of important political/ethnic holidays and observanceswhen the likelihood of political/ethnic violence increases. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable.

While de-mining programs have proven effectiveunexploded ordnance and mines remain in some areas. Telecommunicationselectricityand water systems remain unpredictable.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

In Kosovoroad conditions can be extremely hazardous because roads are narrowcrowdedand used by a variety of vehiclesfrom KFOR armored personnel carriers to horse-drawn carts. Many vehicles are old and lack standard front or rear lights. Mountain roads can be narrow and poorly markedand lack guardrailsquickly becoming dangerous in inclement weather. During winter monthsfog can obscure visibility while driving.

Driving safely in Kosovo requires excellent defensive driving skills. Many drivers routinely ignore speed limits and other traffic regulationssuch as stopping for red lights and stop signs. Drivers routinely make illegal left turns from the far right laneor drive into oncoming lanes of traffic. The combination of speedingunsafe driving practicespoor vehicle maintenancethe mixture of new and old vehicles on the roadsand poor lighting contributes to unsafe driving conditions. Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing the streeteven when using crosswalksas local drivers sometimes do not slow down or stop for pedestrians.

A valid U.S. driver’s license is required for U.S. citizens to drive in Kosovo. The use of seat belts and headlights is mandatory at all times. A driver with a blood alcohol level higher than 0.05 is considered intoxicated. Travelers entering Kosovo by road must purchase local third-party insurance. In Kosovoit is illegal to use a cell phone while driving unless you are using a hands-free device. The penalty for illegal cell phone usage is 35 Euros. Drivers traveling between Serbia and Kosovo are subject to insurancelicense plateand other regulations.