Cheapest Way to Call Albania from the UK
Every option compared honestly — WhatsApp, Rebtel, VoIP apps and eSIMs. The right answer depends on your situation, so we cover all of them.
Calling Albania from Your UK Mobile
Your standard mobile network will charge 50p–£1.50 per minute for international calls to Albania. Here are the two options that actually make sense.
Rebtel
The key advantage over WhatsApp: the person you're calling doesn't need a smartphone, internet connection, or any app. Rebtel routes your call over the internet on your end but delivers it as a normal phone call at the Albania end. Rates from around 1–3p per minute.
WhatsApp (Free — with a caveat)
Completely free if the person you're calling has WhatsApp and a reliable internet connection. That caveat matters — if they have unreliable WiFi or data, call quality suffers. Best for regular calls to people you know are online.
Used Skype to call Albania?
Microsoft shut Skype down in May 2025. The best direct replacement for calling Albania landlines and mobiles is Rebtel — same principle, no account needed. For free app-to-app calls, WhatsApp is the natural replacement.
Travelling to Albania? Avoid Roaming Charges
If you're visiting Albania, your UK SIM will cost you significantly more than you expect. EE charges up to £8.45 per day for data outside Europe — which adds up to over £59 on a week's trip just for mobile internet. An eSIM costs a fraction of that and activates before you board.
Airalo
Best for most travellers. Buy a data plan before you leave, scan a QR code, and you have local data rates the moment you land in Albania. No physical SIM swap, no queues at the airport. Plans start from around £3.
Holafly
Better for longer stays or heavy data users. Unlimited data plans mean you never worry about running out — useful if you're making lots of WhatsApp video calls home, using Google Maps constantly, or working remotely during your trip.
Use code ADM for 5% off any plan, or 10% off your first 12 months
Get an Albania eSIM on Holafly →ℹ️ eSIMs are data-only — calls and texts still go through apps like WhatsApp. Your UK number stays active on your phone's physical SIM alongside the eSIM.
Calling Albania from a UK Home Phone
You can still make cheap calls to Albania from a landline — you just need to use Rebtel. Rebtel gives you a personal UK number to ring; your call goes via the internet on Rebtel's side but arrives as a completely normal phone call at the Albania end. No internet needed in your home, and nothing needed at their end either.
Rebtel — from your landline
Sign up at Rebtel, get a dedicated UK number for Albania, then dial that number from your home phone whenever you want to call. The person you're calling receives a normal phone call — no app, no internet, no smartphone needed at their end.
📋 BT Digital Voice switch-over (January 2027)
BT is migrating copper landlines to Digital Voice (internet-based) by January 2027. Rebtel works with Digital Voice landlines just as it does with copper — no changes needed on your end.
All Options at a Glance
Not sure which suits you? Here is a quick summary — use the cards at the top of the page to jump straight to the right section.
| Method | Typical Cost | Needs Internet | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Free | Both ends | Best if both online |
|
|
~1–3p/min | UK end only | Mobile & landline |
|
Standard UK Mobile
EE / O2 / Vodafone — international direct dial
|
50p–£1.50/min | No | Avoid — very expensive |
💡 The most important caveat on WhatsApp: it is genuinely free — but only works if the person you are calling also has a good internet connection. For calling elderly relatives or anyone without reliable WiFi or data, you need a paid option.
How to Dial Albania from the UK
📞 Dialling format
Dial 00355 + area code + local number, removing the leading zero. Tirana: 00355 4 + 7-digit number. Mobiles start with 06 — dial 00355 6 + remaining digits.
🕐 Time difference explained
Albania is 1 hour ahead of the UK year-round.
Dialling code for Albania
The dialling code for Albania is +355.
When calling Albania from the UK you must dial 00355 followed by the Albania number in full.
When using our service to make cheap calls to Albania, you need to:
- Dial the access number
- When you hear the voice prompt, dial the Albanian number starting with 00355
- When you have finished inputting the number, wait to be connected.
That’s it….easy!
Best time to call Albania from UK
The time in Albania is 1-2 hours ahead of the UK (GMT +1/+2). On that basis the best time to call Albania is 8am until 7pm UK time. The whole of Albania is covered by a single time zone so you don’t need to worry about which part of Albania you are calling.
Travel Information (provided by the FCO)
Albania Area Codes
| City | Dialing Code from UK |
| Babicë | +355 394 |
| Bajram Curri | +355 213 |
| Bajzë | +355 211 |
| Ballsh | +355 313 |
| Berat | +355 32 |
| Bilisht | +355 811 |
| Bulqizë | +355 219 |
| Burrel | +355 217 |
| Cakran | +355 387 |
| Çërrik | +355 581 |
| Çorovodë | +355 312 |
| Delvinë | +355 815 |
| Divjakë | +355 371 |
| Durrës | +355 52 |
| Elbasan | +355 545 |
| Ersekë | +355 812 |
| Fier | +355 34 |
| Fushë | +355 563 |
| Gjirokastër | +355 84 |
| Gramsh | +355 513 |
| Himarë | +355 393 |
| Kavajë | +355 554 |
| Koplik | +355 211 |
| Korçë | +355 82 |
| Krujë | +355 511 |
| Krumë | +355 214 |
| Ksamil | +355 893 |
| Kuçovë | +355 311 |
| Kukës | +355 242 |
| Laç | +355 53 |
| Levan | +355 388 |
| Lezhë | +355 215 |
| Libohovë | +355 881 |
| Librazhd | +355 514 |
| Lushnjë | +355 35 |
| Maliq | +355 861 |
| Mamurras | +355 561 |
| Memaliaj | +355 885 |
| Orikum | +355 391 |
| Peqin | +355 512 |
| Përmet | +355 813 |
| Përrenjas | +355 591 |
| Peshkopi | +355 218 |
| Pogradec | +355 832 |
| Poliçan | +355 368 |
| Pukë | +355 212 |
| Rrëshen | +355 216 |
| Rrogozhinë | +355 577 |
| Sarandë | +355 852 |
| Selenicë | +355 392 |
| Shijak | +355 571 |
| Shkoder | +355 22 |
| Tepelenë | +355 814 |
| Tirana | +355 4 |
| Tirane | +355 4 |
| Tropojë | +355 213 |
| Ura Vajgurore | +355 361 |
| Vlorë | +355 33 |
| Vodafone | +355 69 |
