Kosovo: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Kosovo is probably not the most popular travel destination in Europe, but it still has a lot to offer.

Especially when it is a relatively affordable country for travel.

One way to keep your costs low is by using a travel eSIM because international roaming can be crazy expensive.

Which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

And if you get a travel eSIM, you do not have to deal with the SIM card registration bureaucracy and skip the queues in Kosovo.

So, how much do Kosovar (travel) eSIMs cost?

You can get an eSIM for Kosovo for as low as 6.50 USD and up to 89 USD from Airalo, Alosim & Nomad offering between 1 GB and 20 GB to be used locally, in Europe, or globally.

Original publication: 31^st of August 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction (+Discount Codes)

I will write about three eSIM providers that offer eSIMs for Kosovo, regional eSIMs covering Kosovo & eSIMs covering multiple countries (including Kosovo, of course) and continents.

These eSIM providers are Airalo, Alosim, & Nomad.

Airalo, the largest eSIM store, has two eSIMs covering Kosovo:

• Airalo Kosnet eSIMs for Kosovo: four eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 6.50 USD) and 5 GB (30 days @ 24 USD)
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs for Kosovo and 129 other countries: 12 eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 9 USD/15 USD (+10 minutes/10 SMS)) and 20 GB (1 year @ 69 USD/89 USD (+200 minutes/200 SMS))

Use code APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM before OR code APR10 for 10% off if you are an existing Airalo user (valid until the 31^st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

Alosim, a rapidly growing eSIM store with competitively priced eSIMs, has two eSIMs covering Kosovo:

• Alosim Kosovo eSIMs: six eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 4.50 USD) and 20 GB (30 days @ 33 USD)
• Alosim Europe eSIMs for Kosovo and 31 other European countries: five eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 5 USD) and 10 GB (30 days @ 37 USD)

You can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Nomad is an eSIM store that often has the lowest-priced eSIMs for its most generous data allowance ($:GB ratio) while selling eSIMs from multiple providers. It has only one eSIM covering Kosovo:

• Nomad Global eSIMs for Kosovo and 108/138 other countries: six eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 19/25 USD) and 5 GB (30 days @ 45 USD/57 USD)

Use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad order.

Now that you have an overview of the eSIM providers I will write about, we will go through them alphabetically and cover all their options for Kosovo.

But if you already have an eSIM store in mind, just click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Airalo, Alosim & Nomad.

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Airalo eSIMs for Kosovo (Kosnet & Discover+)

Currently, Airalo has two types of eSIMs that can be used in Kosovo only or include Kosovo:

• Kosnet – Kosovo only
• Discover(+) – Kosovo and 129 other countries worldwide (+calls and SMS (up to 200 minutes/SMS) for global use if you choose the “+” variant, regardless of the selected eSIM)

Remember to use code APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM before OR code APR10 for 10% off if you are an existing Airalo user (valid until the 31^st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

Okay… what is Airalo?

It is, according to itself, the world's first eSIM.

Airalo sells eSIMs for almost every country and territory, making it by far the most comprehensive eSIM provider.

It says it covers over 200 countries, although some are “duplicates” (such as a specific eSIM for Scotland (Nessietel), even though the United Kingdom eSIM (Uki Mobile) can be used in Scotland without any issues).

Airalo was the first eSIM I ever installed on my dad's phone (I did not have an eSIM-compatible device back then, lmao – now I have multiple for eSIM testing purposes 🤪).

It worked flawlessly, which is why I still try out Airalo eSIMs in every country I visit.

Anyway, because Kosovo is a popular travel destination, the country is covered by Airalo's regional European eSIM (Eurolink) and global eSIM (Discover(+)) as well, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

If you only plan to see Kosovo, stick to its local offering: Kosnet – which can be used in the country only.

For now, Airalo has two types of eSIMs: Discover and Discover+ – the latter gives you an Austrian phone number (+43) and up to 200 minutes and 200 SMS for global use.

Let's start with the Airalo Kosnet eSIM, which is for local (Kosovo) use only.

You have these four Kosnet eSIM choices:

1. Kosovo/Kosnet 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 6.50 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Kosovo/Kosnet 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 11.50 USD
3. Kosovo/Kosnet 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 16 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Kosovo/Kosnet 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

With the Airalo Kosnet eSIM, you get access to one Kosovan mobile network, as shown in the image below:

In my Kosovo SIM card buying guide, I tell you more about which Kosovan mobile operator is/are the best in terms of coverage or speed, but we have a few other eSIMs to go over with.

Finally, we have Airalo's Discover and Discover+ eSIMs.

Its global offering used to be called Discover Global, to be used in 84 countries (87 was its peak).

I have had a decent to good experience with that eSIM, but I feel like it could improve.

Such as extending the validity of most plans (the maximum used to be 180 days) and having 5G NR access in popular destinations.

Well, my concerns were heard (which is why I love working with Airalo) because Airalo revamped its global eSIM to Discover(+), covering 125+ countries (including Kosovo), having 5G NR access in 30+ countries & giving you the option to purchase plans with minutes and SMS.

You get an Austrian (+43) phone number if you buy any Airalo Discover+ eSIM, so you do not have to deal with excessive international call rates with your primary/home SIM card or eSIM (this does not apply to the normal Discover eSIM).

Although Airalo improved its global eSIM significantly, it did not increase the prices for its eSIM.

In fact, you get a “discount” of up to 20 USD if you use the Discover eSIM (the one without a phone number, minutes, & texts).

Anyway, 12 variants of the Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs are available:

1. Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
3. Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
4. Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
5. Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
6. Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
7. Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
9. Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
10. Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
11. Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
12. Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

The image below shows you the Kosovan mobile networks that can be used with the Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs.

For a full country list of where the eSIM can be used, you should check out my ongoing Airalo Discover+ eSIM review.

Although the map below may be useful if you know your world map well.

In every country I visit where I test country-specific Airalo eSIMs, I also try out its Discover+ eSIM (if it can be used there).

So you better check it out every now and then to see if I wrote about the country/countries you plan to visit and read about the eSIM's performance in said country, as it is not always perfect.

Before Airalo updated its global eSIM, I used the old version (Discover Global) in 15+ countries. From August 2023, I will only test the Discover+ eSIM. This is why some country-specific reviews (like Japan) still refer to Discover Global and show the old eSIM image instead of Discover+.

So to recap: get the Kosnet eSIM if you only stay in Kosovo or the Discover(+) eSIM if you visit multiple countries on multiple continents within a year and do not wish to install multiple eSIMs.

Whatever Airalo eSIM you choose, you will have a smooth experience with any in Kosovo.

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Alosim eSIMs for Kosovo

Currently, Alosim has only one types of eSIM that can be used in Kosovo only:

• Kosovo – local use only

Remember that you can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Alosim? Does it have something to do with Airalo?

No… but I understand the confusion at times. The names are similar, but Alosim started after Airalo.

Alosim is an eSIM provider by AffinityClick, which is known for its Hushed app (“Temporary & Second Phone Number App for Wifi, Data Calling & Texting”, as it calls it (8 million+ downloads)).

As AffinityClick owns Alosim and Hushed, there may or may not be some collaboration between the two brands soon, (finally) allowing for calling and texting with your Alosim eSIMs… but we will have to see 😏.

Anyway, you have two eSIM options for Kosovo with Alosim: one for just Kosovo and one for Europe, including Kosovo.

The Alosim Kosovo eSIM does not need a real introduction, I believe…

You have the following four Alosim Kosovo eSIM choices:

1. Kosovo 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 6.50 USD
2. Kosovo 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 11 USD
3. Kosovo 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 16 USD
4. Kosovo 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7^th of September (2023 data only).

With this eSIM, you have access to the following Kosovan mobile network:

For more information on how these mobile operators perform, check out my Kosovo SIM card buying guide, where I discuss the performance of each SIM card (in terms of coverage and speed).

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Nomad eSIMs for Kosovo

Currently, Nomad has has only one eSIMs that can be used in Kosovo:

• Global – Kosovo and 108 or 138 other countries, depending on the eSIM, worldwide

Use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad order (new customers only).

Nomad, not to be confused with the (digital) nomad lifestyle, is an eSIM provider that has significantly improved over the past few years.

Not only has it been adding more countries, but it has continuously been dropping its prices where applicable.

And the best is yet to come – according to itself (and my contacts at Nomad are tight-lipped 🙄).

Anyway, let's start with the Kosovo-only eSIM.

Nomad allows you to purchase eSIMs from various partners.

In this example (Italy), you will see: provider – Truphone, network – Multiple Carriers & network – Wind Telecom (Wind Tre).

Truphone, recently purchased by 1Global, is an eSIM provider and partner with network agreements in more than 100+ countries.

Nomad eSIMs powered by Truphone work well, but they are almost always the most expensive.

eSIMs with multiple carriers under network are powered by Tele2 Sweden, based on my experience (although it will mention Nomad Black under Plan Details).

Those eSIMs are alright, although the speeds are throttled @ 35 Mbps for some reason – but they are often the cheapest.

Then we have eSIMs where the roaming partner is shown (Wind Telecommunications, which is Wind Tre Italy, and Iliad Italy) – it is unclear who powers these eSIMs (as it is different per country), but the performance with them is fine (untrottled speeds).

But regardless of the type of Nomad eSIM you choose, the performance with any of them is satisfactory in Kosovo.

Finally, we have Nomad's Global eSIM, which can be used in Kosovo.

Personally, I have never been a fan of this eSIM because of how expensive it is.

Sure, I understand an eSIM covering more than 100 countries will be expensive, but cheaper alternatives exist (especially Airalo's Global eSIMs).

This is why I do not use this eSIM at all – it is too pricey.

But why do I even include it in this guide?

Because some Phone Travel Wiz readers do love this eSIM and actively purchase/use it.

This was mostly when Airalo's global offering covered 84 countries, while Nomad's global eSIM covered 110 countries instead.

Since June (Nomad) and July (Airalo) partnered with eSIM Go for their global offering, both cover 130+ countries with their eSIMs – but Airalo's is somehow (significantly) cheaper than Nomad's… AND had the call and text feature.

If Nomad introduces this (soon), I do not know.

However, I suspect the popularity of Nomad's global eSIM will drop because of Airalo's improved offering.

Enough doomer talk, there are three eSIMs per provider (Truphone – 109 Countries Plan and eSIM Go – 139 Countries Plan):

1. Global (109 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Global (139 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 19 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Global (109 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Global (139 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Global (109 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Global (139 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 57 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 109 (Truphone)/139 (eSIM Go) countries:

¹ 109 Countries Plan (Truphone) only
² 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go) only
³ 5G NR access (if you have the 139 Countries Plan (eSIM GO) – does not apply to the 109 Countries Plan (Truphone)

You can get the Nomad Global eSIM, which can be used in at least 108 other countries besides Kosovo, but Airalo's updated offering made Nomad's uncompetitive (for now).

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Kosovo

So, we reviewed some eSIMs that can be used in Kosovo.

Many, many more eSIM providers have eSIMs for Kosovo – the ones listed in this guide are the eSIMs I have used in multiple countries on multiple continents and had a pleasant experience with (I do not recommend eSIMs I have not tried/were awful).

I will give you a quick recap of each eSIMs mentioned in this guide and link to their product pages in case you need more info or are ready to purchase an eSIM already (remember the activation policies of Holafly and Nomad eSIMs – do not buy their eSIMs too early).

Kosovo only eSIMs:

• Airalo Kosnet eSIM
• Alosim Kosovo eSIM

Global eSIMs, which include Kosovo:

• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (with calling feature)
• Nomad Global eSIM

And do not forget to use one of these discount codes for extra savings:

• Airalo: APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. If you have, use APR10 for 10% off (each code can be used 3000 times among all Airalo customers, so better redeem it quickly!
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
• Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD (or your currency's equivalent) if you have never purchased a Nomad eSIM