Albanian SIM Card Magic: Why You Need to Buy One in 2025

ByAlbaniaFAQ
albanian sim six white mobile sim cards on white table

Wondering if you need an Albanian SIM card?

The answer is YES! – Now, let’s talk about a not-so-fun topic – international roaming costs. Especially data roaming – watching a YouTube video in Full HD can be a wallet-drainer! But fear not, my friend, there’s a solution – getting an Albanian SIM card.

Now, a little heads-up: each option has its own quirks and perks, so choose wisely based on your needs and travel plans.

How much does a SIM card cost in Albania?

How much does your Albanian adventure SIM card cost? You can snag one for as low as 1 EUR from ALBtelecom (ALBtelecom has the worst coverage throughout Albania), 5.10 EUR from Vodafone, or 5.10 EUR from One (formerly Telekom).

Now, here’s the nitty-gritty:

  • 📞One – for 500 ALL or 1500 ALL
  • 📞Vodafone – for 500 ALL or 800 ALL
  • 📞ALBtelecom offers cards for 100 ALL or 500 ALL Decisions, decisions!

Anyone 18 or older living in or visiting Albania can buy an Albanian SIM card with only showing your passport (or European Union ID if you have one) at the point of sale. Whole process takes about 15 mins!

Exciting, right? Beats paying a fortune for data. But before you jump in, let’s address the important stuff.

In my experience, ALBtelecom, Vodafone, and One all do a decent job. Coverage is solid, but hey, it’s always good to check reviews. And as for the best operator? Well, that’s a personal call – pun intended!

For the full scoop on buying a SIM card in Albania, check out the guide. Safe travels and happy blogging! 📱🗺️

Where can you buy a SIM card in Albania?

You can get an Albania SIM card in Vodafone, One Telecommunications Albania & ALBtelecom  stores. They are also sold at Tirana International Airport (TIA). Cheap and convenient – two words we love!

How much costs Albanian SIM card?

Vodafone Albania:

PricePlanDataLocal MinSMSActive
2300 ALLTourist Pack40 GB1000 minutesN/A15 days
2900 ALLTourist Giga Pack100 GBUnlimitedN/A21 days

One Telecommunications:

PricePlanDataLocal MinSMSActive
2300 ALLOne Tourist Adv.40 GB1000 minutes1000 SMS15 days
2900 ALLOne Tourist Ultra100 GBUnlimitedUnlimited21 days

What is the best Albanian SIM card?

The best SIM card for Albania is an e-SIM. Considering the convenience, I’d totally recommend buying an e-SIM online. It’s a game-changer for travelers. No physical SIM card swapping, no hunting for a local store. You can do it all from the comfort of your device, usually before you even land in Albania. Smooth, right?

Several providers offer e-SIMs, making the process a breeze. Just pick your preferred package, follow the online steps, and voila – you’re all set with a virtual ticket to Albanian connectivity heaven!

  • You can get an eSIM for Albania for as low as 4.50 USD and up to 89 USD from Airalo offering between 1 GB and 20 GB to be used locally, in Europe, or globally.

And guess what? It’s often quicker than waiting in line at an airport store. So, go ahead, embrace the digital era, and enjoy your hassle-free, tech-savvy travel experience!

📲 quick tip: before you embark on your albania journey, check with your home cell provider to see if they’ve already got you covered in this balkan adventure.

Order your Albanian e-SIM online 📲

Snag your e-SIM card online now!

Let’s delve into sizes to help you pick the perfect packet. Before you hit that “buy” button, you’ll want to check if you already enjoy free service. 😉

The Albanian e-SIM card prepaid options above showcase different “gb” (gigabyte) sizes, indicating the amount of data before your card takes a breather. if you run out, fret not—just refill it with more data while you’re exploring Albania.

Here’s a summary of the eSIM options for Albania from various providers:

  1. Airalo: e-SIM for Albania: Five options ranging from 1 GB (seven days @ 4.50 EUR) to 10 GB (30 days @ 26 EUR).
  2. Alosim: Albania eSIMs: Six options from 1 GB (seven days @ 4.50 EUR) to 20 GB (30 days @ 32 EUR).
  3. Holafly: Albania eSIMs: Six options from 2.5 GB (5 days @ 29 EUR) to 15 GB (30 days @ 79 EUR).
  4. Nomad: Albania eSIMs: Seven options from 1 GB (seven days @ 10 EUR/25 EUR) to 10 GB (30 days @ 52 EUR

These eSIMs offer varying data sizes and durations, so you can pick the one that suits your needs best. Don’t forget to use the discount codes for some extra savings! 🌐📲

VoLTE & VoWiFi in Albania📱

  • VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) is available in Albania.
  • However, VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) is not available in Albania (yet).

This means that your phone does not have to downgrade to 2G or 3G when making a call in Albania (unlike mobile operators that do not support VoLTE).

The following mobile operators offer VoLTE only in Albania:

👉Vodafone Albania:

  • 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
  • 3G: 2100 MHz
  • 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
  • 5G NR: testing mode only
  • VoLTE: Yes
  • VoWiFi: No

👉One Telecommunications Albania:

  • 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
  • 3G: 2100 MHz
  • 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
  • 5G NR: not available yet
  • VoLTE: Yes
  • VoWiFi: No

📲 Sim Card Sizes

Sim card sizes your phone might crave a chip, microchip, or nanochip. the good news? the options i’m raving about here cover all sizes, so no need to stress about compatibility. If you’re eyeing a different albanian sim card, google your phone specs to figure out the right sim card size.

What size Albanian SIM card should I buy?

What size albania sim card fits your bill? For most globetrotters, the 4GB or 8GB SIM-s are ample even for a 10-day Albania escapade, even if you’re diving into data-intensive activities. The average smartphone owner cruises through 2GB to 5GB of data monthly.

Say goodbye to data worries with 8GB SIM card – perfect for savoring every moment of your journey in Albania. Whether you’re a heavy data user, a YouTube watcher, or simply love having more than you think you’ll use, the 8GB SIM is your ideal match for an uninterrupted and enjoyable experience.

Albania pro tip: if you’re a solo traveler, consider erring on the side of caution with a bit extra data for emergency situations.

How to set up a SIM card in Albania?

Setting up your one albania sim card is a breeze, especially with a prepaid one. No complicated steps involved! Here’s a simple guide:

This is how you swap out your current SIM for your temporary Albanian Sim card that you’ll use while traveling.
  • No fuss setup: with a prepaid one albania sim, there’s no setup hassle. Power off your phone, swap your current sim for the new one, power it back on, and you’re good to roll.
  • Getting it in Albania: if you’re grabbing one in albania, the airport is your go-to spot. Purchase it upon arrival, and the friendly clerk will guide you through the process.
  • Albanian number magic: once you make the switch, your phone will proudly flaunt an albania number starting with +355. Your sim is the bridge connecting your phone to this new number. Don’t forget to share this temporary +355 number with friends and family—details are on the sim card packaging.
  • After the adventure: when you return home and pop in your original u.s. Sim card, your phone will seamlessly revert to your u.s. Number.
  • Changing sim cards made easy: if you’ve never changed a sim card before, fear not! Check out the Youtube video linked above for a visual walkthrough. A word of caution: sim cards are tiny—keep your original u.s. Sim safe and sound.

6 Reasons to snag an Albanian SIM Card Pre-Trip:

  • Instant gratification: procrastination rarely pays off. Click that link and grab your sim card now. Why wait?
  • Safety first: your phone is like an extra limb for most of us. In emergencies, it’s a lifeline. Is traveling the time to cut off phone access?
  • Happy loved ones: back home, folks crave your updates. Show them photos, videos, and reassure them that you’re safe and enjoying every bit of albania.
  • Essential travel apps: albania adventures demand more from your apps. Google translate for communication, maps to navigate, uber for convenient rides, airbnb for cozy stays, banking apps, tripadvisor, and more—all at your fingertips.
  • Seamless access: having a local sim card means seamless access to all these travel essentials, making your albania trip smoother and more enjoyable! Remember, it’s not just a sim card; it’s your key to an enriched albanian experience! 📱
  •  Not very expensive: if you’re only visiting albania for a few days, this 2gb data sim card costs less than €25. Considering the convenience of having data and albania cell service and how much stress this will alleviate from the whole travel process, it’s a relatively small price to pay.

Buying a Sim Card in Albania: Plan Ahead!

In albania, purchasing a sim card is crucial for staying connected. However, relying on getting one at the airport may not be the smoothest experience. There’s a good chance that something might go awry, leaving you without a SIM card when you need it the most.

Buying an e-sim online can be a convenient and efficient way to ensure you have connectivity as soon as you arrive in albania. Here are some benefits and steps for purchasing an esim online:

Benefits of buying an e-SIM online:

  • Instant accessibility: buying an esim online means you can have it ready on your device before even arriving in albania. This ensures you have immediate access to data and can make calls as soon as you land.
  • No physical card needed: with an esim, there’s no need for a physical sim card. The activation is done digitally, simplifying the process and reducing the risk of losing a physical card.
  • Flexibility: esims often provide flexibility in terms of data plans and coverage. You can choose a plan that suits your needs and duration of stay in albania.

How to buy an e-SIM online:

albanian sim card
  1. Choose a Reputable eSIM Provider:
    • Opt for a well-known and reputable e-SIM provider. Consider names like Airalo, Alosim, Holafly, or Nomad. Look for positive reviews and reliable customer feedback.
  2. Select Your Destination:
    • Navigate to the provider’s website and find the section dedicated to your destination. Providers often offer specific e-SIM options tailored to different countries or regions.
  3. Explore Available Plans:
    • Browse through the available e-SIM plans for your chosen destination. Consider factors like data allowances, validity periods, and any additional features that align with your travel needs.
  4. Add to Cart:
    • Choose the e-SIM plan that best suits your requirements and add it to your cart. Some providers may offer multiple options, so select the one that fits your data and duration preferences.
  5. Check Out:
    • Proceed to the checkout page. Double-check your order details, ensuring you’ve selected the correct e-SIM plan for your destination.
  6. Apply Discounts (if applicable):
    • If you have any discount codes, apply them during the checkout process. Many providers offer promotional codes for first-time users or specific time periods.
  7. Make Payment:
    • Complete the payment process using your preferred method. Most providers accept credit cards, PayPal, or other secure payment options.
  8. Receive Confirmation:
    • After a successful transaction, you’ll receive a confirmation email. This email typically contains essential information and instructions on downloading and activating your e-SIM.
  9. Download and Activate:
    • Follow the provided instructions to download the e-SIM profile onto your device. Activation may involve scanning a QR code or entering specific details. Ensure your device is unlocked for this process.

Remember to check for esim providers that specifically offer coverage in albania, and consider factors like data allowances, validity periods, and customer reviews when making your decision. Safe travels! 🌐📱

Will my phone work in Albania?

 If you’re pondering, “will my cell phone work in albania?” – you might be in luck, but it hinges on your carrier.

Some eu companies do offer complimentary service within albania. You’ll need to give your company a ring to check if they extend this offer to you. If they don’t, they might propose turning on your international roaming, but here’s the catch—international roaming is much, much, much more expensive than grabbing any prepaid sim card option in albania. So, resist the urge.

🤔 What is international roaming on my cell phone?

With a simple click, your company can enable your phone to work in albania. However, they often charge astronomical rates – think 50 cents per minute for calls! While convenient, it’s also the most expensive way to have cell service in another country.

Is your cell phone unlocked?

 Before making the leap to a new sim card, ensure your phone is unlocked. Most phones nowadays come unlocked, but it’s not a universal rule. Give your cell company a ring to verify. If it’s not unlocked, don’t worry – they can usually unlock it for you for free in just a few seconds. When you call, mention that you need the phone unlocked for travel and that you’ll be using an international sim card once it’s unlocked.

🤔 Is there 5G phone service in Albania?

 So, when it comes to 5g in albania, it’s not widely available yet. Currently, the cell service in albania is at the 4g level.

Final Thoughts – Albanian SIM Card

We’ve reached the end of the article, and I hope you’ve found the best Albanian SIM cards, learned where to get yours online, and discovered the top reasons why buying an Albanian SIM card is a smart, safe idea.

While there are various ways to buy an Albanian SIM card, there’s no time like the present! I recommend purchasing your Albanian SIM right now with a simple click or tap.

Furthermore, getting one before your trip is ideal for convenience. However, it might be a bit cheaper to get one in Albania, though that process can consume your precious travel time. Don’t wait until you arrive; seize the opportunity for hassle-free connectivity.

Whether you decide to buy your Albanian SIM card prepaid option online now or wait until you’re in Albania, opting for a one-brand SIM card is a wise choice. Additionally, as Albania’s largest cell service provider, you’ll enjoy the best reception, even if you’re exploring off the beaten path. 📱🌍