TikTok was banned in Albania on March 13th by the Albanian government for 12 months. While authorities claim it’s due to TikTok’s encouragement of bullying and violence, protesters argue the true cause is censorship before parliamentary elections.
The easiest way to access TikTok in Albania is using a VPN. With a VPN, you can change your IP address to a location where TikTok isn’t restricted, like Greece or Serbia. A VPN makes it appear like you’re connecting from another location, letting you open the TikTok app or use the web version.
Read my guide where I cover all you need to learn about accessing TikTok in Albania.
How to access TikTok in Albania with a VPN
- Get a streaming VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN, now 61% off.
- Connect to a server where TikTok is available (like Greece or the US).
- Change your account location on Google Play or Apple Store.
- Open TikTok and start scrolling.
Why is TikTok banned in Albania?
TikTok is banned in Albania because the Albanian Cabinet shut it down for a year claiming that the platform is encouraging bullying and violence among children.
The decision came after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death by another child after having arguments on social media. Yet, according to Reuters, TikTok claimed that videos regarding this incident were posted on another platform, not TikTok.
The Albanian opposition held a protest on March 15th claiming that TikTok was allegedly banned due to censorship prior to the May 11 election.
Whatever the case, you can access TikTok using a reliable VPN, like ExpressVPN. The way it works is that you can change your IP address, making it look like you’re connecting from another country. This will let you access TikTok without restrictions.
Best VPNs to use for TikTok in Albania
I researched the VPN market and tested the best VPN services to find which ones successfully unblock TikTok in Albania and don’t compromise speed or privacy. Here are my top 3 choices:
1. ExpressVPN – best VPN for TikTok in Albania overall
2. NordVPN – VPN for TikTok in Albania for multiple devices
3. Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN for TikTok in Albania
Now, let’s review all VPNs in detail.
1. ExpressVPN – best VPN for unblocking TikTok in Albania
- Unblocks TikTok from multiple countries
- Fast Lightway protocol
- Servers in 105 countries
- Slightly higher priced than competitors
I discovered that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unblocking TikTok in Albania because of its successful test results. With servers in 105 countries, I was able to unblock TikTok with servers in the US, the UK, Greece, Germany, and many other countries that I tried.
| Location | The British Virgin Islands |
| Number of servers | 3,000 |
| Price starting | from $4.99/month |
Thanks to the Lightway protocol, I couldn’t feel a difference in speed and TikTok didn’t lag at all. It offered an 89% speed retention rate. Plus, ExpressVPN felt more stable in connections compared to NordVPN or Surfshark.
In terms of privacy, this VPN comes with powerful AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy audited by independent firms like PwC. It means you can securely browse TikTok in private.
You can get ExpressVPN starting from $4.99/month.
2. NordVPN – multiple-device VPN for accessing TikTok in Albania
- Unblocked TikTok with a US server
- Fast NordLynx protocol
- Available on 10 devices simultaneously
- Servers take longer to reconnect
NordVPN was another geo-unblocking VPN for TikTok in Albania that worked successfully with multiple servers on both desktop and mobile. During my tests, I was able to unblock the website and app with servers in the US and the UK.
| Location | Panama |
| Number of servers | 7,400 |
| Price starting | from $3.39/month |
The VPN comes with a speedy NordLynx protocol that offers an average of 92% speed retention rate. Safe to say TikTok worked smoothly and without significant issues.
Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN’s reputation is clean and the privacy policy is independently audited, keeping zero logs.
NordVPN prices start from $3.39/month.
3. Surfshark – affordable VPN for unblocking TikTok
- Unblocked TikTok with US and UK servers
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Prices start from $2.19/month only
- Based in a 14-eyes alliance country
Surfshark is a more budget-friendly VPN for TikTok. I was able to access the platform with servers in various countries, including Germany, the US, and others.
| Location | The Netherlands |
| Number of servers | 3,200 |
| Price starting | from $2.19/month |
Using Surfshark’s WireGuard protocol, I tested the speeds, which resulted in an average of 88% retention rate. I didn’t experience any issues with accessing or watching TikTok on the mobile app or web.
This service is another no-logs VPN that has been independently audited by third-party firms. You can even use MultiHop servers to get double the privacy from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You can get Surfshark starting from $2.19/month.
How to use a VPN for TikTok in Albania?
I tested multiple VPNs for accessing TikTok in Albania, and the setup process is very similar and simple. Here’s how you can access the video platform from anywhere:
- Get a reliable VPN that can bypass geo-restrictions. ExpressVPN worked best during my tests.
- Download and install the VPN service and log into the app.
- Connect to a server in a country where TikTok is available, like Greece or the US.
- If you’re accessing TikTok from mobile, change your Google Play store or Apple store location to the country you’ve connected to. If you’re opening the TikTok website, skip this step.
- Open TikTok and log into your account or create a new one.
- That’s it – you can continue watching TikTok videos privately.
Is it legal to use TikTok in Albania?
Yes, using TikTok in Albania isn’t illegal – you won’t get a fine or be jailed for accessing the platform.
If you use a VPN to access TikTok, your ISP won’t be able to see if you’ve opened TikTok because it encrypts your data. This means that whether you scroll TikTok or browse other websites – everything is completely private.
TikTok’s Terms of Service state that users may not “bypass any measures we may use to prevent or restrict access to the Services.” However, the platform hasn’t taken measures to restrict VPN usage for users or block accounts.
Can I use a free VPN for TikTok in Albania?
Yes, you can use a free VPN to access TikTok in Albania. However, whether it will work depends on the service you choose.
For example, completely free VPNs can be unreliable and offer overcrowded servers. Even if they help unblock the platform, it may lag or disconnect at inconvenient times.
Alternatively, I’d recommend freemium VPNs, like Proton VPN. They’re offered by providers who get funds from their premium services, so they can maintain the privacy and security of their limited free plans.
Your best bet at successful TikTok access and no annoying lags is getting a premium VPN. Most trusted services, including ExpressVPN, come with a free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
The best VPN for TikTok is ExpressVPN. During our tests, it successfully accessed TikTok using servers in the US, the UK, Greece, Germany, and other countries. Plus, it offers 8 simultaneous connections and ensures complete privacy with powerful AES-256 encryption and an audited no-logs policy.
Yes, the Albanian Cabinet blocked access to TikTok in Albania on March 13th to prevent the violence and bullying that children are exposed to on the platform. The ban is scheduled to take place for an entire year.
TikTok can detect VPN usage but there haven’t been complaints about blocked accounts or other issues. If the platform restricts access due to VPN usage, you can solve it by changing the server.