Description
Albania has become a popular summer choice for UK holidaymakers, with beaches along the Albanian Riviera at Ksamil, Sarandë and Dhërmi, and historic towns such as Berat and Gjirokastër. Tirana makes a lively city break, and many British Albanians travel back every year to see family.
Albania is not in the EU, so UK roaming deals that cover Europe may not include it. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data for the trip and sits alongside your UK SIM, keeping your UK number in the phone for bank codes, while the eSIM looks after maps, messages and bookings.
Choose your Albania data plan
There are 12 plans for Albania. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.00 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £5.25 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £6.75 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £9.75 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £14.62 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £16.50 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £19.12 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £22.50 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £26.62 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £28.88 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £43.12 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £73.50 |
- Week on the Riviera: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 30 days covers maps, messages and beach bar bookings.
- Fortnight with a road trip: 5GB or 10GB for 30 days leaves room for navigation and sharing photos.
- Heavy streaming or remote work: The unlimited plans run from 3 to 30 days.
- Summer with family: 20GB for 30 days or unlimited for 30 days suits daily video calls and a long stay.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Albania.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Albania
Most flights land at Tirana International Airport, and many visitors to the south arrive by ferry from Corfu into Sarandë. Switch on the eSIM after you arrive to find your bus, taxi or hire car.
Bus timetables are not always online, so data helps for asking hosts and checking routes by map. On mountain roads, in the Albanian Alps around Theth and Valbona, and on quieter stretches of the coast, signal can be patchy. Near the Greek border, your phone may pick up a Greek signal, so keep an eye on which network you are connected to.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Albania and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Albania only: this plan does not cover Greece, Montenegro, Kosovo or North Macedonia, so a day trip to Corfu is not included. Ask us about a plan for that part of the trip.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply, as with most unlimited travel plans.
Questions
Does my UK roaming cover Albania?
Many UK roaming bundles cover the EU but not Albania, and charges outside the bundle can be high. Check with your provider and keep data roaming off on your UK SIM.
Will it work on the ferry from Corfu?
It works once you are in range of Albanian signal. Out at sea and on the Greek side it will not connect.
When should I buy my Albania eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
