05 - Mobile Internet in Kosovo

It goes without saying that our Western European smartphone tariff incurs high costs for data and telephony when roaming in countries outside the EU.

But there are now several low-cost alternatives for travelling outside Europe.

The internet in Kosovo is well developed, with broad 4G/5G coverage from providers such as IPKO and Vala. The country has one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Europe, with almost 90% of the population using the internet. The infrastructure has been massively expanded in recent years, meaning that even rural areas have excellent high-speed internet coverage, with the 4G network covering over 95% of populated areas and all main transport routes. The country is considered a regional leader in the expansion of 5G technology.

The average download speeds in Kosovo are around 120 Mbit/s. In a regional comparison of the Balkans, Kosovo is therefore one of the countries with the most stable and fastest internet connection.

Free Wi-Fi is widely available in cities, cafés and hotels.

For mobile internet in Kosovo, a prepaid eSIM is the most convenient option to avoid high roaming charges. Providers such as Airalo, Holafly, SimplyStore or Yesim offer tariffs from around €3-10 (1-10 GB), which can be booked online immediately and activated on arrival. However, this is not always the best solution. This is because the amount adds up enormously with more data volume, and these solutions do not always work reliably and often cannot be activated for a hotspot (use of several devices) and are limited to smartphone use.

Please note: You also need to make sure that your smartphone is eSim-compatible. A list of eSim-compatible devices can be found here: eSim.sm, alternatively a physical extension can be purchased for dual-sim devices.

Local SIM cards from Vala (Kosovo Telekom, state-owned, with the widest coverage) or IPKO (a subsidiary of Telekom Slovenije, known for stable connections) are therefore the alternative, but unfortunately you have the hassle of travelling. (Our Kosovo guide also includes a list of shops.)

The tariffs vary greatly, typical offers are 10-20 GB for around €10-12 (usually valid for 7-30 days). We only discovered Unlimited at Vala, which currently costs €19.90.

Network coverage is extremely good, with 4G/LTE working quickly and reliably in over 95% of populated areas, and the 5G network is being expanded rapidly.