WHICH CURRENCY SHOULD YOU TAKE TO ALBANIA? EUROS, LEK AND CARD PAYMENTS
Euros are useful, Albanian lek is essential, and cards can sometimes let you down. Planning a trip to Albania and wondering which currency to bring? Although the official currency is the Albanian lek, euros are widely accepted in tourist areas. However, card payments are not available everywhere, and ATM withdrawal fees may come as an unpleasant surprise. Here is everything you need to know to manage your money in Albania with confidence.
WHICH CURRENCY SHOULD YOU TAKE TO ALBANIA? EUROS, LEK AND CARD PAYMENTS
Euros are useful, Albanian lek is essential, and cards can sometimes let you down. Planning a trip to Albania and wondering which currency to bring? Although the official currency is the Albanian lek, euros are widely accepted in tourist areas. However, card payments are not available everywhere, and ATM withdrawal fees may come as an unpleasant surprise. Here is everything you need to know to manage your money in Albania with confidence.
The Albanian Lek – Albania's Official Currency
The Albanian lek is the country's only official currency. Prices in shops, restaurants and menus may be marked as ALL, LEK or L.
Both coins and banknotes are used. Smaller banknotes are particularly useful because bus conductors, market vendors and small shops may not always have enough change for larger notes.
The exchange rate between the lek and the euro is not fixed and changes regularly. Do not automatically rely on the simplified conversion of 100 LEK to €1, although it can be useful for a quick estimate.
Can You Pay in Euros in Albania?
Euros are accepted in many tourist destinations, including Golem, Durrës, Tirana, Saranda and Ksamil. Some restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, taxi services and tour operators accept payments in euros.
However, euros are not accepted everywhere. Businesses may also use their own exchange rates, which may be less favourable than those offered by exchange offices. Any change will often be returned in Albanian lek.
If you bring euros in cash, choose smaller banknotes in good condition. They are more practical for everyday payments than high-value notes.
Where Will You Need Albanian Lek?
Cash in the local currency is particularly useful when paying:
on local buses and minibuses,
at markets and street stalls,
in bakeries and smaller shops,
at beach kiosks,
for sun loungers and parasols,
in some restaurants and cafés,
for parking and small services.
For example, the local bus between Golem and Durrës is paid directly to the conductor in cash. It is therefore useful to carry smaller banknotes and coins.
Paying by Card in Albania
Card payment options are gradually improving throughout Albania. Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted by larger supermarkets, modern restaurants, hotels, shopping centres and some petrol stations.
Smaller businesses may not have a card terminal at all. Even a hotel or restaurant may not necessarily accept card payments.
A payment card should therefore be considered a convenient option rather than your only way to pay.
Why Should You Carry a Physical Payment Card?
Do not rely entirely on a card stored on your phone or smartwatch. Some terminals may not support contactless payments reliably, making it necessary to insert the card and enter your PIN.
You may also need a physical card at ATMs that do not support contactless withdrawals. Ideally, carry two payment cards and keep them separately in case one is lost, damaged or blocked.
Withdrawing Money from ATMs in Albania
ATMs are widely available at Tirana Airport and in Tirana, Durrës, Golem and other tourist resorts. However, most Albanian banks charge their own fee when a foreign card is used.
The ATM operator's fee is often approximately 500–800 LEK, or around €5–€8. Your own bank or card provider may charge an additional fee.
The exact amount must be displayed before you confirm the withdrawal. If the fee seems too high, cancel the transaction and try an ATM operated by another bank.
Because the charge usually applies to every transaction, one larger withdrawal may be more economical than several smaller ones. However, avoid carrying all your cash with you at the same time.
Choose ATMs located at established bank branches whenever possible. Be cautious with standalone tourist ATMs, which may offer less favourable exchange rates.
Always Pay and Withdraw Money in the Local Currency
If an ATM or payment terminal offers to convert the amount into euros or your home currency, choose to pay or withdraw money in Albanian lek – ALL.
The offered conversion, known as dynamic currency conversion, is often less favourable. When you select the local currency, your bank or card provider performs the conversion according to its own exchange conditions.
Look for options such as:
Pay in ALL
Withdraw in ALL
Continue without conversion
Decline conversion
Declining the offered conversion does not cancel your payment or withdrawal. It only rejects the exchange rate offered by the terminal or ATM operator.
Exchange Offices in Golem and Durrës
Tourist areas have numerous exchange offices where you can exchange euros for Albanian lek. They often do not charge a separate fee but make money from the difference between their buying and selling rates.
Before exchanging money, always check:
the current exchange rate,
the final amount you will receive,
whether any additional fee applies,
that you have received the correct amount.
Avoid exchanging more money than you are likely to spend. Albanian lek can be difficult to exchange outside Albania, so use or exchange most of your remaining cash before leaving the country.
Be Aware of "Old" and "New" Lek
Albania has a pricing peculiarity that often confuses visitors. Some local people still quote prices in "old lek", even though only the current lek is officially used.
An amount quoted in old lek is ten times higher than its current value. For example, if someone says 10,000 lek, they may actually mean 1,000 LEK in today's currency.
Written prices on receipts, menus and banknotes use the current lek. If a spoken price sounds unusually high, ask the person to show it on a calculator or write it down.
Paying During Your Stay in Golem
Around Apartment Rehati in Golem, you will find supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, ATMs and exchange offices. Cards are generally accepted in larger shops and some restaurants, but you may still need cash at bakeries, on buses, at markets and on the beach.
The most practical option is to carry a smaller amount in Albanian lek each day, keep a few euros as a backup and bring a physical payment card.
What Should You Bring to Albania?
The best solution is simple:
cash in euros for exchanging and larger payments,
Albanian lek for everyday spending,
a physical Visa or Mastercard for shops and ATM withdrawals,
a second card, stored separately, as a backup.
With this combination, you can pay comfortably in restaurants, on the beach, on local buses and at markets without having to worry about whether your card will be accepted.