Best VPN for Albania: Which ones work? Comparison and Tips

You connect to the hotel WiFi, open Netflix, but your favourite show you watched at home has suddenly disappeared. Or you want to check TikTok, but the app says it’s not available. Maybe you just want to work online in peace and know no one’s watching. That’s where a VPN comes in – a virtual private network that can make your life a lot easier in Albania.

Now we’ll take a look at why VPNs are becoming increasingly popular in Albania among tourists, digital nomads and locals alike. We’ll discuss what’s blocked in the country, what forms of censorship and surveillance exist, which VPNs work best, and what to look out for when choosing one. Finally, we’ll compare the best VPN services for this year – including those with servers right here in Tirana.

What is blocked in Albania? And why a VPN helps

Albania is one of the countries with relatively free internet. Government censorship is not common, and social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are freely available. Still, there are restrictions you will encounter – especially if you are used to services from your home country.

🧩 Blocked or restricted services in Albania

Streaming platforms: Netflix also operates in Albania, but its offer is significantly reduced. It lacks the content available in the US or UK, for example. BBC iPlayer or Hulu don’t work at all – without a VPN, you’ll just see the message “This service is not available in your area.”

TikTok: In 2023, the Albanian government announced a one-year ban on TikTok, justified by youth protection and data security. The ban was seen as a form of censorship, especially given the timing before the elections. In practice, this led to a huge increase in VPN usage (up to +1200%).

US news sites: Some US servers still block access from the EU because of GDPR. If you try to open the LA Times or Chicago Tribune from Albania (an EU candidate country), you will often get “Access denied”. A VPN with a US server gets around this without any problems.

Albanian TV and Sport online: Some Albanian platforms (e.g. RTSH Tani) restrict access from abroad. This doesn’t bother tourists directly in Albania, but expats find VPNs with Albanian IP handy for watching local content from abroad.

Gambling and site blocking: between 2019 and 2023, a nationwide online gambling blockade took place – hundreds of foreign betting sites were blocked. VPNs allowed access back. In other cases, the government banned sites like Medium due to copyright disputes.

Internet censorship and surveillance in Albania

Although Albania is considered a country with relatively free access to the internet, there have been signs of tighter surveillance and interference in the online space in recent years. VPNs are becoming a tool not only for unblocking content but also for protecting privacy.

🎭 TikTok and the first technical censorship

The ban on TikTok in 2023 showed that the Albanian authorities are technically capable of restricting access to online platforms. In an effort to enforce the block, the deployment of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology, which allows monitoring and filtering of specific types of traffic (e.g., detecting VPNs or TikTok directly), was also considered.

DPI is perceived as very invasive – it allows the ISP or the state to read the content of data packets and block them in a targeted manner. It is a tool used in China or Iran, for example, but not commonly in European countries. Concerns about its introduction in Albania have led to strong criticism from IT experts and privacy organisations.

🕵️‍♂️ Online surveillance and public WiFi

Ordinary users are not the target of mass surveillance in Albania, as in some authoritarian countries. However, the risk lurks elsewhere – public Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels and airports tends to be insecure. Connecting without encryption is an open book for hackers.

A VPN with AES-256 encryption (a military standard) will protect your data from eavesdropping. In addition, even if your traffic is potentially monitored by your ISP or the authorities, a VPN will ensure that it’s impossible to read the contents of your connection or find out what sites you’re visiting.

How to choose the best VPN for Albania?

When choosing a VPN for Albania, it’s key to focus on the specific purpose – whether you want to unblock content, ensure privacy, use a VPN on multiple devices, or even protect your kids on a tablet. Here are the main criteria:

🔓 Unblock streaming platforms

Look for VPNs that can handle geo-blocks. The best services include those that can unblock:

• Netflix (including US and UK versions)
• BBC iPlayer
• Hulu
• HBO MAX
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video
• DAZN
• etc…

For example, ExpressVPN and NordVPN have long been among the top performers when it comes to unblocking global content.

🔐 Privacy and security

• Encryption: ideally AES-256.
• No-logs policy: the VPN must not keep a log of your activity.
• Kill switch: in the event of a VPN failure, it immediately stops the internet connection.
• DNS leak protection: prevents the real IP address from being revealed.

VPNs like ProtonVPN (based in Switzerland) or NordVPN (with “Double VPN” servers) excel in the privacy department.

🚀 Speed and stability

Want to stream in 4K or play lag-free online games? You need a VPN with fast servers. ExpressVPN (10 Gbps networks) or NordVPN with NordLynx (WireGuard) are among the fastest.

🌐 Servers in Albania

If you want to access Albanian content from abroad, choose a VPN that has servers in Albania:

• ExpressVPN – Servers in Tirana
• NordVPN – Servers in Tirana
• Surfshark – Servers in Albania
• ProtonVPN – Servers in Albania
• CyberGhost – servers in Albania

The presence of servers in neighbouring countries (e.g. Greece, Serbia) is also advantageous for fast connections.

📱 Device support

The best VPNs work on all common platforms:

• Windows, macOS
• Android, iOS
• Linux, routers
• Smart TV (via router or DNS)
• Multiple simultaneous connections – Surfshark offers unlimited devices per account

💬 Simplicity and customer support

If you’re new to VPNs, you’ll appreciate the simple interface. Both Surfshark and CyberGhost have 24/7 chat support.

💸 Price and performance/price ratio

• ExpressVPN: approx. 6.70 USD/month (annual plan)
• NordVPN: approx. 3.69 USD/month (2 years)
• Surfshark / CyberGhost: from 2.19 USD/month (2 years)
• ProtonVPN: $4.99 per month
• Try NordVPN – 74% off

Best VPNs for Albania (2025) – Comparison Table

Most VPNs offer shorter plans with higher monthly rates. All services in the table have servers directly in Albania.

VPN recommendations by user type

🎬 Best VPN for streaming (OnePlay, Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer)

ExpressVPN is the obvious choice for the discerning streamer. It offers fast servers optimized for high-quality playback, easily bypasses blocking, and has Smart DNS for smart TVs. If you want to watch content from the US, UK or another country like the Czech Republic or Slovakia, it’s a safe bet.

The alternative is NordVPN, which has equally strong unblocking capabilities and also offers features like Threat Protection for added security.

🔐 The best VPN for maximum privacy

ProtonVPN is ideal for those who value anonymity. Swiss jurisdiction, no logs, an open-source app, and a Secure Core feature that routes traffic through secure countries like Switzerland or Iceland. A great choice for journalists, expats or security-minded users.

💸 Best Free VPN

ProtonVPN – offers free servers in the US, Netherlands and Japan, with no ads and a data cap. It’s a bit of a stopgap. For basic anonymous surfing and a secure connection to public WiFi, it’s perfectly adequate. It doesn’t unblock Netflix, but for everyday use it’s the best free VPN.

⚠️ Beware of other “free VPNs” – most of them collect data, show ads, or have weak security. If possible, choose a paid service for at least a month.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best VPN for multiple devices

Surfshark is unbeatable in the price/performance ratio. It allows for unlimited simultaneous connections – perfect for families, a group of friends or multiple single-user devices. Plus, it includes ad blocking, anti-malware protection and a simple interface.

🎮 The best VPN for gaming and VoIP

With extremely fast servers, NordLynx technology and DDoS protection, NordVPN excels at online gaming and VoIP calling (Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp). Servers in Albania and neighbouring countries ensure low latency.

🧑‍💻 Best VPN for Beginners

CyberGhost scores points with its simple controls and “clickable” profiles (e.g. “Unblock Netflix”), plus 24/7 live chat support, tutorials and clear apps for all systems. If you’re just getting started with VPNs, CyberGhost is a great start.

Summary: Is a VPN in Albania worth it?

Yes – whether you’re coming here on holiday or planning a longer stay, a VPN is one of the best digital tools you can pack.

You get with it:

• access to your favourite shows and streams from home
• protecting sensitive data on insecure networks
• the possibility to bypass restrictions such as TikTok ban
• greater anonymity and privacy for work and play

Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to set up a VPN, and most services offer a money-back guarantee (30-45 days). Ideal for testing when you arrive in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

❓1. Is VPN legal in Albania?
✅ Yes, using a VPN is legal in Albania. There are no laws prohibiting VPN services. Tourists, digital nomads and locals commonly use them to protect their privacy or unblock content.

❓2. Why do I need a VPN in Albania?
✅ A VPN allows you to bypass regional blocks (e.g. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, TikTok), protect personal data when using public Wi-Fi networks and ensure a private and secure internet connection.

❓3. Does Netflix work in Albania without a VPN?
✅ Yes, but the range of movies and TV shows is limited. The Albanian version of Netflix doesn’t include all the content available in the US or UK, for example. A VPN allows you to access the full catalogue by country.

❓4. What is the best VPN for Albania?
✅ The top rated VPN services for Albania include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN and CyberGhost. All have servers right in Albania, unblock streaming platforms and protect privacy.

❓5. Is TikTok blocked in Albania?
✅ Yes, in 2023 the government temporarily blocked TikTok due to security concerns. Access to TikTok can easily be restored using a VPN connection through another country where the app is available.

❓6. Is public Wi-Fi safe in Albania?
✅ Public Wi-Fi networks (e.g. in hotels, cafes or airports) tend to be insecure. A VPN encrypts your connection and protects your passwords, emails or bank account access from hackers.

❓7. Can I use a free VPN in Albania?
✅ Yes, but you need to be careful. A reliable option is ProtonVPN Free, which has a lot of data but no ads. Avoid unknown free VPNs that may track or sell your data.