Connectivity Guide for Albania
byCharles McQuainAlbania has two mobile networks, Vodafone Albania and One Albania, and they split the market roughly evenly. One was formed in 2023 from the merger of One Telecommunications and ALBtelecom. Both run 4G across the populated parts of the country, and Vodafone has been extending 5G in Tirana, Durrës, and popular tourist areas.
Expect dependable data in Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë, Ksamil, Berat, and Gjirokastër, and along the Riviera road between them. Service gets less reliable in the Albanian Alps, including Theth and Valbona, on the Lake Koman ferry, and on remote mountain roads, so download offline maps and save bookings before you head north.
Many guesthouses, tour operators, and drivers arrange things over WhatsApp, so data is useful from the moment you land. Ride apps are limited, and taxis in Tirana are usually called by phone or booked through your hotel, so keep a local number for your accommodation handy.
EU Roaming Doesn't Apply Here
Albania isn't in the EU, so an EU carrier's roam-like-at-home rules don't cover it, and many "Europe" eSIMs leave it out. If Albania is part of a wider trip, check that it's on your plan's country list, or add a separate Albania plan.
Why trust this comparison?
We compare 13 providers for Albania using published plan data and real-world testing. Affiliate commissions keep AvailSim free but never influence rankings. Read our methodology