Cheapest Way to Call Albania from the UK
Every option compared honestly — access numbers, WhatsApp, VoIP apps and eSIMs. The right answer depends on your situation, so we cover all of them.
All Your Options at a Glance
There is no single best way to call Albania from the UK — it depends on whether both ends have internet, whether you're on a landline or mobile, and how often you call. Here is an honest comparison of every option.
| Method | Typical Cost | Needs Internet | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Free | Both ends | Regular callers with WiFi on both sides | Best if both online |
|
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Coming soon | No | UK landline callers, elderly relatives with no smartphone | 🔔 Notify me |
|
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~1–3p/min | UK end only | UK mobile callers, no app needed on other end | Best for UK mobiles |
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Free / low | Both ends | If your contact already uses the same app | Good if app matches |
|
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From £3 | For data calls | Travelling to Albania | Travel only |
|
Standard UK Mobile
EE / O2 / Vodafone — international direct dial
|
50p–£1.50/min | No | Emergency calls only | 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.
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Calling 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.
Also Need to Send Money to Albania?
Many people calling Albania from the UK also send money home regularly. Your high street bank is typically the worst way to do it — most add a hidden margin of 3–5% on top of the exchange rate before charging a transfer fee. These two services are consistently cheaper.
Wise
Uses the real mid-market exchange rate — the same one you see on Google — with a small transparent fee shown upfront before you send. No hidden margin buried in the exchange rate. Used by over 16 million people worldwide.
Remitly
Built specifically for diaspora remittances — very popular for UK–Albania transfers. Competitive exchange rates with an on-time delivery guarantee: if your transfer is late, they refund the fee. Supports bank deposit, cash pickup and mobile wallet.
💡 Compare both before sending — rates shift daily. The cheapest for your amount this week may differ from last week.
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.
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.
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 |
