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    The brick clock tower of Pristina with white clock faces and an iron lantern on top, seen from below against a clear sky

    What gov.uk warns about, minus the forum legends

    The usual traps in Kosovo, and how to sidestep them

    The Kosovo scams gov.uk flags are few and familiar. Unofficial taxis that approach you and overcharge, street ATMs tampered with to copy cards, and card details stolen when your card leaves your sight. A registered taxi firm, cash machines inside banks and a card that never leaves your view will deal with almost all of them.

    My three rules for Kosovo fit on one line. I call the taxi, I take cash out inside a bank, and my card never leaves my sight.

    Sergio LeponeMy advice

    Before you go

    What I would keep in mind

    1. 01 Watch out

      The taxi that finds you

      Gov.uk says taxis that approach you for a fare are often unofficial and can overcharge. Look for an established firm instead.

      taxis in Kosovo

    2. 02 Watch out

      Street cash machines

      Gov.uk suggests using ATMs inside banks where possible and checking street machines for signs of tampering.

      Kosovo currency

    3. 03 Watch out

      Card always in view

      Fraudsters can steal card details without you noticing, gov.uk warns. In shops and restaurants, don't let it be taken away.

      is Kosovo expensive

    4. 04 My tip

      A car hired in Serbia

      Many Serbian hire firms won't allow their vehicles into Kosovo, per gov.uk. If nobody mentions it at the desk, you'll find out at the border.

      car hire in Kosovo

    There are plenty of forum tales about scams in Kosovo, and I’d rather stick with a source that’s kept up to date. The FCDO’s travel advice is the most detailed, and its list is short. These are the traps you’d find in any city with plenty of visitors, with a couple of local twists.

    The taxi that finds you

    The easiest one to avoid, and the one people fall for most. A driver who walks up offering a ride is often unlicensed and may overcharge, says gov.uk, which suggests sticking to proper companies instead of private cars with a taxi sign. Registered firms are the safe bet, on regulated fares, and you call them or use a local app. Uber and the other international apps aren’t available. I’d be most on guard leaving the airport and at coach stations. The full picture is in taxis in Kosovo.

    Cash machines and cards

    Gov.uk is specific here. Withdraw cash indoors at a bank when possible, look over any street machine for added parts, and never let your card out of view at the till, because card details can be copied in seconds. I’d add one habit of my own, which is switching on your banking app’s instant notifications so every payment shows up as it happens. If a terminal offers to charge you in pounds rather than euros, say no. More on paying in the Kosovo currency guide.

    Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Pristina before prices climb.

    Pickpockets and cash

    Pickpockets work airports and public transport, according to gov.uk, and thieves single out anyone who seems to have plenty of money on them. As you’ll want some euros in your pocket in Kosovo, I’d split them, a day’s worth in your wallet and the rest back at your room. Keep your passport on you, as gov.uk asks you to carry it for identification, with a copy stored separately.

    Cars and roads

    Not a scam as such, but it can cost you. Gov.uk says many Serbian hire firms won’t allow their vehicles into Kosovo, and mentions hire cars on Serbian plates being attacked in remote spots. If you’re hiring, get the permitted borders in writing. Thieves also go for four-wheel drives and luxury cars, so a plain small car is the smarter choice. Details in car hire in Kosovo.

    If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Pristina and choose by the reviews.

    If it happens to you

    Call the police on 192 from a mobile, 92 from a landline, or 112. Contact your insurer and travel provider, and your bank the moment you see a payment you don’t recognise. Gov.uk has guidance on getting help as a victim of crime abroad, and relatives in the UK can phone the FCDO on 020 7008 5000. The rest of the official advice is gathered in is Kosovo safe.

    Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Pristina before prices climb.

    Traps gov.uk flags, and what I do

    TrapWhereWhat I do
    Unofficial taxi toutingAirport, stations, streetPhone a registered firm or use its local app
    Tampered ATMStreet cash machinesWithdraw inside a bank
    Card skimmingShops and restaurantsKeep the card in sight
    PickpocketsAirports and public transportPassport and wallet in an inside pocket
    Theft of flashy carsTowns and roadsHire an ordinary car

    Risks from gov.uk, Foreign travel advice Kosovo, updated 23 September 2026. The right-hand column is my own approach.

    Test yourself

    True or false?

    0/3 Pick before you peek.

    1. Gov.uk recommends using ATMs inside banks.

      See the answer

      True. It does, and suggests checking street machines for signs of tampering.

    2. Taxis touting in the street charge regulated fares.

      See the answer

      False. Regulated fares apply to registered firms; touts are often unofficial and can overcharge.

    3. Gov.uk says criminals target people who look like they're carrying a lot of cash.

      See the answer

      True. Hence its advice against expensive-looking jewellery and isolated areas at night.

    0 of 208 Kosovo guides

    Your next stamp

    1. Taxis
    2. Safety
    3. Driving

    Frequently asked questions

    Are there common tourist scams in Kosovo?

    Gov.uk flags unofficial taxis that overcharge, tampered street ATMs and card details copied when you pay. It also mentions pickpockets in airports and on public transport.

    How do I avoid being overcharged by taxis in Pristina?

    Don't take one that approaches you. Gov.uk recommends registered firms with regulated fares, booked by phone or local app; operators usually speak reasonable English.

    Are ATMs safe in Kosovo?

    Use one inside a bank, as gov.uk recommends. If you must use a street machine, check the card slot and keypad for anything that looks added on.

    Should I pay in pounds or euros in Kosovo?

    In euros, the currency Kosovo uses. If a card terminal offers to charge you in pounds, I'd decline and let your own bank do the conversion.

    What should I do if I'm robbed in Kosovo?

    Call the police on 192 from a mobile or 112. Tell your insurer and bank straight away, and see gov.uk's guidance on getting help if you're a victim of crime abroad.

    Sergio Lepone

    By

    Tourism graduate with a master’s in Tourism Management and Planning from the University of Málaga, who has travelled across Europe. He writes every guide from official sources and his own judgement.

    Published on . Facts checked on .

    How I check every fact and where it comes from

    Sources

    Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them, the site earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

    Photos: Arnisa Kryeziu, Agron Berisha (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.