eSIM for Albania
Albania has grown quickly as a summer destination, and it is one of the few places on the continent where an EU phone plan does not carry its home allowance. It is not an EU member, and roam like at home stops at the border.
For UK and US travellers the picture is the same as anywhere outside their home zone: check the daily rate, then decide.
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The Corfu surprise
The north east coast of Corfu faces Albania across a narrow channel. Phones on that side of the island regularly connect to Albanian networks, so a traveller in Greece gets billed for roaming in Albania. The ferry from Corfu to Saranda makes it even more likely.
If you are on Corfu, pick a Greek network manually or switch data roaming off on your home line. If you are crossing to Saranda, that is the moment to switch the Albanian eSIM on.
Along the Riviera
Saranda, Ksamil, Himara and Dhermi are covered by both national networks, Vodafone Albania and One Albania. The coastal road between Vlora and Himara climbs over the Llogara Pass, where signal drops briefly before returning on the other side.
Beach bars have wifi, but the reason to carry data here is navigation on narrow coastal roads and finding the small beaches reached by dirt tracks.
Theth, Valbona and the Albanian Alps
The hike between Valbona and Theth is one of the best known walks in the Balkans, and much of it is offline. Guesthouses in both villages usually have wifi, the trail usually does not. Download the route and tell your host when you set off.
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One country or a Balkan road trip
Many travellers combine Albania with Montenegro, Kosovo or North Macedonia. None of them is in the EU roaming area. If your route crosses several of these borders, a Balkans regional plan is simpler than buying one plan per country.
What you do not get
An Albanian +355 number. If a guesthouse or a car rental company wants to text you a local code, you need a local SIM with a number.
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Compare optionsCommon questions
Does EU roaming work in Albania?
No. Albania is not an EU member and is not covered by roam like at home. Some operators include it in paid add ons, so check your plan.
Why did my phone roam in Albania while I was in Corfu?
Albanian cells can reach the north east coast of Corfu. Select a Greek network manually on that part of the island.
Is there signal on the Valbona to Theth hike?
Only in patches. Treat the trail as offline and download the route beforehand.