Send SMS to Albania: 2025 Guide to A2P Messaging, GDPR Compliance & Regulations

Send SMS to Albania (+355) with confidence using this complete 2025 guide to Albania A2P messaging. Whether you're sending transactional messages, OTP verification codes, or marketing campaigns to Albanian mobile numbers, this guide covers Albania SMS regulations and AKEP compliance, GDPR consent requirements under Law 124/2024, technical capabilities for Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania networks, alphanumeric sender IDs, and SMS API integrations (Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, Plivo). Maximize deliverability while staying compliant with Albania's modernized telecommunications framework.

Common SMS Use Cases for Albania: Two-factor authentication (2FA), one-time passwords (OTP), order confirmations, appointment reminders, promotional campaigns, account notifications, and emergency alerts.

Albania SMS Market: Mobile Operators and Network Coverage (+355)

Market Conditions: Albania's mobile telecommunications market operates as a duopoly with two major operators: Vodafone Albania (50.6% market share by active users as of end-2024) and ONE Albania (49.6% market share as of end-2024). ONE Albania was formed when 4iG Group merged ONE Telecommunications with ALBtelecom. Network coverage reaches 96.8% of the population for Vodafone and 96.9% for ONE Albania. SMS remains widely used for person-to-person (P2P) and application-to-person (A2P) messaging, though OTT apps like WhatsApp and Viber compete for market share.

Mobile operator prefixes (verified 2025):

• Vodafone Albania: 069
• ONE Albania: 068, 067

5G Availability: Both operators launched 5G services in November 2024. ONE Albania activated its 5G network on November 25, 2024, followed by Vodafone's full consumer rollout on November 26, 2024. As of May 2025, ONE Albania operates coverage in Tiranë, Durrës, Elbasan, Vlorë, Shkodër, and major tourist destinations. As of August 2025, Vodafone expanded 5G coverage to Tirana, Durrës, Fier, Gjirokastër, and popular tourist destinations. AKEP's spectrum licensing includes coverage obligations requiring 95% population reach by 2028.

Regional SMS Context: Albania's regulatory framework aligns with other European countries. For comparison, see our guides on SMS compliance across the Balkans region and international A2P messaging regulations.

What SMS Technical Features Does Albania Support?

Albania supports concatenated messages (long SMS) and alphanumeric sender IDs for A2P messaging. Two-way SMS functionality has limitations. Understanding these technical capabilities ensures successful SMS delivery to Albanian mobile numbers.

Does Albania Support Two-Way SMS?

Two-way SMS is not supported in Albania. You cannot receive replies to SMS messages through standard A2P messaging channels to Albanian numbers.

How Do Concatenated Messages (Long SMS) Work in Albania?

Support: Yes, concatenated messages (multi-part SMS) work in Albania.
Message length rules: 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding, 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding (used for special characters).
Encoding considerations: GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are both supported. Messages containing special characters or non-Latin alphabets automatically use UCS-2 encoding, which reduces the character count per message segment.

Can You Send MMS to Albania?

MMS messages automatically convert to SMS with an embedded URL link when sent to Albania. This conversion ensures delivery while providing access to multimedia content through web links. Use URL shorteners and keep content accessible for at least 7 days for optimal user experience.

Albanian Phone Number Compatibility: What Works?

Is Number Portability Available in Albania?

Number portability is available in Albania through AKEP's Mobile Number Portability (MNP) system. Mobile number porting began in 2011, while fixed telephone porting began in 2012. Subscribers can keep their phone numbers when switching between Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania. AKEP maintains a real-time database of E.164-formatted ported numbers at http://www.portabiliteti.al/. Use dynamic carrier identification rather than prefix-based assumptions due to widespread number porting in Albania's mobile market. For more details on proper phone number formatting, see our E.164 format guide.

Can You Send SMS to Albanian Landlines?

SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Albania. Attempts to send SMS to fixed-line numbers will fail and typically generate a 400 response error (error code 21614). These messages will not appear in logs and accounts will not be charged.

How to Comply with Albania SMS Regulations: GDPR & AKEP Requirements (2025)

Albania fully aligns with EU data protection and electronic communications regulations, overseen by IDP (Information and Data Protection Commissioner) and AKEP (Electronic and Postal Communications Authority). As an EU candidate country, Albania modernized its regulatory framework to match GDPR standards. Understanding Albania SMS compliance requirements prevents penalties and maintains SMS deliverability.

Regulatory Framework (verified 2025):

Electronic Communications:

• Law No. 54/2024 "On Electronic Communications in the Republic of Albania" – Effective June 30, 2024, replaces Law No. 9918/2008
• Aligned with EU Directive 2018/1972 (European Electronic Communications Code)
• Chapter XIX addresses privacy in electronic communications per EU Directive 2002/58/EC
• Requires explicit consent for direct marketing via SMS and mandatory opt-out mechanisms
• Regulates telecommunications, SMS messaging, and A2P communications in Albania
• Administered by AKEP (Electronic and Postal Communications Authority)
• Source: Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure, Law No. 54/2024

Data Protection:

• Law No. 124/2024 "On Personal Data Protection" – Entered into force January 31, 2025, replaces Law No. 9887/2008
• Published in Official Gazette No. 9, dated January 17, 2025
• Fully aligned with EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and EU Directive 2016/680
• Enforced by IDP (Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection)
• The Commissioner serves a seven-year term elected by Parliament, ensuring independence
• Source: IDP Official Website
• Guideline No. 4 "On Personal Data Protection and Security Measures in Direct Marketing" – Effective April 30, 2025
• Applies specifically to SMS communications, email campaigns, call centers, and promotional outreach
• Especially applicable to activities involving personal profiling or third-party data sourcing
• Source: IDP Guidelines

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

• Minor violations: Up to 1 billion Albanian Lek (ALL) (approximately EUR 10.2 million) or 2% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher
• Severe violations: Up to 2 billion ALL (approximately EUR 20.4 million) or 4% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher
• Data breach notification required within 72 hours to IDP Commissioner
• Non-compliance with Albania GDPR regulations can result in operational restrictions
• Source: Law No. 124/2024, Article on Administrative Sanctions

How to Get Consent for SMS Marketing in Albania

Explicit Consent Requirements for Albania SMS Campaigns (per Law 124/2024 and Guideline No. 4):

• Obtain clear, affirmative consent before sending marketing messages to Albanian mobile numbers
• Consent must be freely given, informed, and unambiguous
• Controllers may rely on legitimate interest only when it doesn't override individual rights and freedoms
• For sensitive data, profiling, or third-party data sources, explicit consent is required
• Document when and how you obtained consent for SMS marketing
• Maintain detailed consent records for compliance purposes (minimum 2 years)
• Provide clear information about message frequency and content type
• Heightened protection for individuals under 18 – requires verifiable parental or guardian consent

Best practices for obtaining SMS consent in Albania:

• Use double opt-in verification for marketing campaigns
• Keep consent records for at least 2 years
• Include privacy policy and terms of service links
• Allow easy consent withdrawal via opt-out keywords
• Document the legal basis for data processing (consent or legitimate interest per GDPR Article 6)

What Opt-Out Keywords Are Required in Albania?

Support these opt-out keywords in all SMS marketing campaigns to Albania for compliance:

• STOP, NDALO (Albanian for "stop")
• HELP, NDIHME (Albanian for "help")
• Process opt-out messages in both Albanian and English
• Send confirmation messages in response to opt-out commands
• Honor all opt-out requests within 24 hours per Albania data protection requirements

Does Albania Have a Do Not Call Registry?

Albania doesn't maintain a centralized Do Not Call (DNC) registry for SMS or telemarketing. Follow these compliance practices:

• Maintain your own suppression lists for opted-out Albanian numbers
• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Keep records of opted-out numbers for at least 2 years
• Regularly clean contact lists to remove unsubscribed numbers
• Implement internal DNC management systems for Albania SMS campaigns

What Are the Best Times to Send SMS in Albania?

Albania observes Central European Time (CET/CEST, UTC+1/UTC+2).

Send SMS messages to Albania according to these timing guidelines:

• Send between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time (CET/CEST)
• Avoid Albanian national holidays and public holidays
• Send emergency or transactional messages outside these hours only when necessary
• Consider religious observances during Ramadan for timing of promotional SMS
• Test engagement rates to optimize send times for your Albania audience

What Sender ID Options Work for Albania SMS?

Can You Use Alphanumeric Sender IDs in Albania?

Operator network capability: Fully supported across Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania networks
Registration requirements: No pre-registration required for alphanumeric sender IDs in Albania – use dynamic alphanumeric sender IDs
Sender ID preservation: Yes, alphanumeric sender IDs are preserved across all major Albanian mobile networks
Use cases: Brand recognition, transactional SMS, OTP delivery, account notifications

Are Long Codes Supported for Albania SMS?

Domestic vs. International Long Codes:

• Domestic long codes: Not supported in Albania
• International long codes: Supported with limitations

Sender ID preservation: No – Albanian carriers may replace international long code sender IDs with generic alphanumeric IDs
Provisioning time: 1–2 business days for international long codes
Use cases: Transactional SMS messages, OTP (one-time passwords), and two-factor authentication (2FA) to Albanian numbers

Does Albania Support SMS Short Codes?

Support: Not currently supported in Albania for A2P messaging
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Alternative recommendation: Use alphanumeric sender IDs for brand recognition in Albania SMS campaigns

What SMS Content Is Restricted in Albania?

Albanian mobile carriers restrict SMS content for these industries to comply with local regulations:

• Gambling and betting services
• Adult content or services
• Cryptocurrency promotions and trading
• Unauthorized financial services
• Political campaign messages without proper authorization

How Albanian Carriers Filter SMS Content

Known carrier filtering rules for Albania:

• Carriers block messages containing certain keywords associated with prohibited content
• URLs from suspicious domains or unverified URL shorteners are filtered
• High-frequency sending patterns trigger automatic blocks
• Messages with excessive spam indicators are rejected

Avoid carrier filtering with these best practices:

• Avoid spam trigger words in Albania SMS campaigns
• Use registered URL shorteners from reputable providers
• Maintain consistent sending patterns and volumes
• Include clear sender identification via alphanumeric sender IDs
• Keep message content professional, relevant, and compliant with Albania regulations

Best Practices: How to Maximize SMS Deliverability in Albania

How to Optimize Your Albania SMS Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters when possible to avoid concatenation costs
• Include clear calls-to-action that drive user engagement
• Personalize messages using the recipient's name or account details
• Avoid excessive punctuation and all caps (triggers spam filters)
• Test message content across both Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania networks

What's the Right SMS Sending Frequency for Albania?

• Limit to 4–5 messages per month per recipient for marketing campaigns
• Space messages at least 48 hours apart to avoid opt-outs
• Respect local holidays and cultural events (Albanian national holidays, Ramadan observances)
• Monitor engagement rates and adjust frequency based on performance
• Avoid high-frequency patterns that trigger carrier filtering systems

How to Localize SMS Content for Albanian Recipients

• Primary language options: Albanian (Shqip) and English
• Consider bilingual messages for important transactional communications
• Use proper character encoding for Albanian special characters (ç, ë) with UCS-2 encoding
• Test diacritical marks and special characters before launching campaigns
• Adapt message tone to local communication preferences in Albania

For guidance on handling special characters and ensuring proper message encoding across different markets, refer to our international SMS best practices.

Managing SMS Opt-Outs in Albania

• Process opt-outs within 24 hours per Law 124/2024 requirements
• Send opt-out confirmations to comply with Albania regulations
• Maintain a centralized opt-out database across all campaigns
• Regularly audit opt-out list compliance
• Sync opt-outs across all messaging channels (SMS, email, push)

Testing SMS Delivery Across Albanian Mobile Networks

• Test across both Albanian carriers (Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania) before launch
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier and adjust routing as needed
• Track engagement metrics (open rates, click rates, opt-out rates)
• Regularly test opt-out functionality to ensure compliance
• Monitor for carrier filtering changes and adjust content strategy

How to Send SMS to Albania Programmatically: API Integration Guide

Twilio SMS API for Albania

Twilio provides robust SMS capabilities for sending A2P messages to Albania (+355) through their REST API. Authentication uses account SID and auth token credentials. Twilio supports alphanumeric sender IDs for Albanian mobile numbers across both major carriers.

import { Twilio } from 'twilio';

// Initialize client with your credentials
const client = new Twilio(
  process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID,
  process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

// Function to send SMS to Albania
async function sendSmsToAlbania(
  to: string,
  message: string,
  senderId: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    // Ensure number is in E.164 format for Albania (+355)
    const formattedNumber = to.startsWith('+355') ? to : `+355${to}`;
    
    const response = await client.messages.create({
      body: message,
      from: senderId, // Alphanumeric sender ID
      to: formattedNumber,
    });
    
    console.log(`Message sent successfully! SID: ${response.sid}`);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

Pricing Considerations: SMS costs vary by provider and destination. For detailed pricing information, see our Albania SMS pricing comparison guide.

Sinch SMS API for Albania

Sinch offers direct carrier connections with Albanian mobile operators (Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania) with full support for alphanumeric sender IDs and high deliverability rates.

import axios from 'axios';

interface SinchSmsConfig {
  apiToken: string;
  servicePlanId: string;
  senderId: string;
}

class SinchSmsService {
  private readonly baseUrl: string;
  private readonly headers: Record<string, string>;
  private readonly senderId: string;

  constructor(config: SinchSmsConfig) {
    this.baseUrl = `https://sms.api.sinch.com/xms/v1/${config.servicePlanId}/batches`;
    this.headers = {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${config.apiToken}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    };
    this.senderId = config.senderId;
  }

  async sendSms(to: string, message: string): Promise<void> {
    try {
      const payload = {
        from: this.senderId,
        to: [to],
        body: message
      };

      const response = await axios.post(this.baseUrl, payload, {
        headers: this.headers
      });

      console.log('Message sent:', response.data.id);
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Sinch SMS error:', error);
      throw error;
    }
  }
}

MessageBird SMS API for Albania

MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery to Albanian mobile carriers with detailed delivery reporting and webhook support for real-time status updates.

import messagebird from 'messagebird';

class MessageBirdService {
  private client: any;

  constructor(apiKey: string) {
    this.client = messagebird(apiKey);
  }

  sendSms(to: string, message: string, senderId: string): Promise<void> {
    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
      // Configure message parameters
      const params = {
        originator: senderId,
        recipients: [to],
        body: message,
        reportUrl: 'https://your-webhook-url/delivery-reports'
      };

      // Send message
      this.client.messages.create(params, (err: any, response: any) => {
        if (err) {
          console.error('MessageBird error:', err);
          reject(err);
        } else {
          console.log('Message sent:', response.id);
          resolve();
        }
      });
    });
  }
}

Plivo SMS API for Albania

Plivo offers SMS capabilities with full Unicode support for Albanian language characters (Shqip) and special diacritical marks (ç, ë).

import plivo from 'plivo';

class PlivoSmsService {
  private client: any;

  constructor(authId: string, authToken: string) {
    this.client = new plivo.Client(authId, authToken);
  }

  async sendSms(to: string, message: string, senderId: string): Promise<void> {
    try {
      const response = await this.client.messages.create({
        src: senderId,
        dst: to,
        text: message,
        // Optional parameters for Albanian messages
        unicode: true,
        dlr_url: 'https://your-webhook-url/delivery-status'
      });
      
      console.log('Message sent:', response.messageUuid);
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Plivo error:', error);
      throw error;
    }
  }
}

API Rate Limits and Throughput

• Default rate limits vary by provider (typically 1-10 messages per second for Albania)
• Implement exponential backoff for retry logic when sending to Albanian numbers
• Use batch APIs for high-volume sending to Albania
• Consider implementing a message queue system (e.g., Redis, RabbitMQ) for Albania campaigns

For comprehensive guidance on handling SMS API errors and implementing robust retry logic, see our SMS API error handling guide.

Error Handling and Reporting

• Implement comprehensive error logging for Albania SMS delivery
• Monitor delivery receipts via webhooks for real-time status
• Track common error codes for Albanian carriers:
  • Invalid number format (ensure E.164 formatting)
  • Network unavailable
  • Message rejected by carrier filtering
• Store delivery status updates for analysis and compliance reporting

Frequently Asked Questions About Sending SMS to Albania

What is the country code for Albania SMS?

The country code for sending SMS to Albania is +355. All Albanian mobile numbers must be formatted in E.164 format: +355 followed by the local number (e.g., +355 69 123 4567 for Vodafone Albania). Learn more about proper E.164 phone number formatting for international SMS delivery.

Which mobile operators serve Albania?

Albania has two major mobile operators as of 2025:

• Vodafone Albania (prefix 069) – 50.6% market share by active users (end-2024), 96.8% population coverage
• ONE Albania (prefixes 068, 067) – 49.6% market share by active users (end-2024), 96.9% population coverage

ONE Albania was formed from the merger of ONE Telecommunications with ALBtelecom by 4iG Group.

Do I need to register alphanumeric sender IDs in Albania?

No, Albania does not require pre-registration for alphanumeric sender IDs. You can use dynamic alphanumeric sender IDs for SMS campaigns, and they will be preserved across all major Albanian mobile networks (Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania). This makes Albania ideal for brand recognition in A2P messaging.

What is the character limit for SMS to Albania?

Standard SMS to Albania supports 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding and 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding (used for special characters and Albanian diacritical marks like ç and ë). Concatenated messages are supported for longer content, with each segment counting toward your total message cost.

Is GDPR compliance required for SMS marketing in Albania?

Yes, Albania implements GDPR-aligned requirements as an EU candidate country. Under Law No. 124/2024 (effective January 31, 2025) and Guideline No. 4 (effective April 30, 2025), you must:

• Obtain explicit consent for marketing SMS
• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Maintain consent records for at least 2 years
• Comply with regulations enforced by IDP (Information and Data Protection Commissioner)

Penalties range from 2–4% of global annual turnover or up to EUR 20.4 million for violations.

What are the best times to send marketing SMS in Albania?

Send SMS messages to Albania between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM Central European Time (CET/CEST, UTC+1/UTC+2). Avoid Albanian national holidays and consider religious observances during Ramadan for marketing campaigns. Transactional messages (OTP, order confirmations) can be sent outside these hours when necessary.

Can I send two-way SMS to Albania?

No, two-way SMS is not supported in Albania through major SMS providers and carriers. You cannot receive replies to SMS messages through standard A2P messaging channels to Albanian numbers. For interactive communications, consider alternative channels or OTT messaging platforms.

What SMS content is prohibited in Albania?

Albanian carriers restrict SMS content related to:

• Gambling and betting services
• Adult content or services
• Cryptocurrency promotions
• Unauthorized financial services
• Political campaigns without proper authorization

Carriers also filter URLs from suspicious domains and block messages with spam trigger words. Follow Albania SMS compliance guidelines to avoid blocking.

How much does it cost to send SMS to Albania?

SMS costs to Albania vary by provider, message volume, and message type (transactional vs. marketing). Typical rates range from $0.03 to $0.08 per message segment. Bulk pricing and dedicated routes can reduce costs. For current pricing details, consult your SMS API provider (Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo) or see our Albania SMS pricing comparison.

How do I format Albanian phone numbers for SMS?

Albanian phone numbers must be in E.164 format: +355 (country code) followed by the 9-digit local number without spaces or special characters. Examples:

• Vodafone Albania: +35569XXXXXXX
• ONE Albania: +35568XXXXXXX or +35567XXXXXXX

Remove any leading zeros from the local number when adding the +355 country code. For detailed formatting requirements across multiple countries, visit our international phone number format guide.

Summary: How to Successfully Send SMS to Albania

Essential Takeaways for Albania SMS Campaigns

1. Albania SMS Compliance Priorities

   • Obtain explicit consent before sending marketing messages per Law 124/2024
   • Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
   • Maintain proper consent records (minimum 2 years)
   • Follow time zone restrictions (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM CET/CEST)
   • Comply with GDPR-aligned Albania data protection requirements

2. Technical Requirements for Sending SMS to Albania

   • Use E.164 number formatting (+355)
   • Support Albanian language character encoding (GSM-7, UCS-2)
   • Implement retry logic for failed messages
   • Monitor delivery rates across Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania
   • Test alphanumeric sender IDs before launch

3. Albania SMS Best Practices

   • Localize content for Albanian (Shqip) and English audiences
   • Respect sending hours (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM CET/CEST)
   • Maintain clean contact lists and suppression databases
   • Test regularly across both Albanian carriers
   • Monitor for carrier filtering changes

Next Steps for Implementing Albania SMS

1. Review AKEP regulations for telecommunications compliance at https://akep.al/
2. Consult legal counsel for GDPR and Albania data protection compliance with IDP guidelines at https://idp.al/
3. Set up test accounts with SMS API providers (Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo)
4. Implement error handling, delivery monitoring, and webhook integrations
5. Test alphanumeric sender IDs across all Albanian mobile operators
6. Develop consent management workflows compliant with Law 124/2024

Additional Resources for Albania SMS Implementation

• AKEP Official Website – Electronic and Postal Communications Authority Albania (regulates telecommunications and A2P messaging)
• Albanian Data Protection Commissioner (IDP) – Privacy and GDPR compliance authority
• EU GDPR Guidelines – Data protection standards for SMS marketing
• AKEP Mobile Number Portability Database – Real-time E.164 ported numbers
• SMS API provider technical documentation (Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, Plivo)

Albania Regulatory Framework:

• Law No. 54/2024 "On Electronic Communications in the Republic of Albania" (effective June 30, 2024) – Replaces Law No. 9918/2008, aligned with EU Directive 2018/1972
• Law No. 124/2024 "On Personal Data Protection" (effective January 31, 2025) – Replaces Law No. 9887/2008, fully aligned with GDPR
• Guideline No. 4 "On Personal Data Protection and Security Measures in Direct Marketing" (effective April 30, 2025) – Specific guidance for SMS marketing compliance in Albania
• AKEP Guidelines for Commercial SMS and A2P Messaging
• IDP Data Protection Strategy 2022–2025
• AKEP Mobile Number Portability Guidelines