Albania, a hidden gem in the heart of the Balkans, has a stunning coastline along the Ionian and Adriatic seas, rugged mountains, and a rich tapestry of cultural influences from its Ottoman, Greek, and Italian heritage. Albania has something for everyone, from the vibrant streets of Tirana to the historic ruins of Butrint, the serene beaches of Ksamil, and the picturesque Albanian Riviera. To ensure a smooth journey through this enchanting country, becoming acquainted with the local currency and its usage is critical. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Albanian currency, how to get local cash, cash and ATMs in Albania and using cash or cards, and how to navigate Albania while staying within your budget.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Albania?
Albania has 900 ATMs, operated by 11 commercial banks. Many of them are in cities. However, if you venture outside of cities, you can expect to find only a few.
You can find ATMs at:
- Major Airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Every major town has its main tourist streets,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main roads,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Albania for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Albania are those owned by popular banks such as:
Credins Bank,
Union Bank,
Banka Komba Tregtare (BKT),
Tirana Bank,
Credins Bank,
OTP Bank, and
Intesa Sanpaolo.
Other banks with ATMs accept international debit and credit cards.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Albania, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in ALL).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Albania, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in ALL’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Albania?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Albania. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Albania.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Albania?
ATMs in Albania have either the word ‘ATM’ or just the bank’s name. So familiarise yourself with the common banks in Albania with ATMs.
PIN type
Generally, ATMs accept 4-digit PINs.
Merchants commonly use Chip-and-PIN cards. Magnetic stripe cards are also still widely accepted.
Languages at ATMs in Albania
ATMs in Albania have two language options by default: Albanian and English. Some provide additional options, such as German, French, and Russian. You get to select this option at the start of the transaction itself. Don’t expect any other foreign language options. If you don’t understand these languages, that’s okay. Use Google Translate’s camera function to translate the options on your phone in real-time! Please keep in mind that these translations are not always completely accurate, so don’t rush through the transaction.
If you’re not familiar with these languages, that’s totally fine. Try out Google Translate’s camera feature to instantly translate the text on your phone! Just a heads up – these translations might not always be 100% accurate, so it’s best to take your time and not rush through the transaction.”
Do ATMs in Albania work similarly as other countries?
Yes. ATMs in Albania look and operate similarly to those in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Albania, and India. Some of them take your card completely inside during the transaction, so remember to take it after withdrawing cash from such ATMs.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Europe.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Albania?
ATMs in Albania dispense the official currency Albanian Lek (ALL). A handful of banks at some of their ATMs also allow withdrawing USD too, however, this comes with very high fees.
ATM withdrawal limits in Albania?
Many ATMs in Albania have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of LEK 75,000 per transaction (Albanian Lek) or € 1,000. Some ATMs allows to withdraw as much as the card’s withdrawal limit, in one transaction.Some ATMs have a daily withdrawal limit of € 1,000.
ATM Fees in Albania?
There are no fee-free ATMs in Albania. Bank ATMs in Albania typically charge between ALL 500 to ALL 800 per transaction (Albanian Lek) as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders. If you withdraw USD from the ATMs, then the ATM fees vary between USD 5 to USD 15 per transaction.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Albania – something every traveller handling cash in Albania should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Albania?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Albania?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Albania. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Albania.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Albania ATMs?
In general, Yes. Many ATMs feature cameras and security guards. Crime rates near ATMs are low. Pick-pocketing is more common. Use the following precautions to be safe:
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Albania takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, its not possible. There are no fee-free ATMs in Albania. Bank ATMs in Albania typically charge between ALL 500 to ALL 800 per transaction (Albanian Lek) as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders. If you withdraw USD from the ATMs, then the ATM fees vary between USD 5 to USD 15 per transaction.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Albania?
Yes. ATMs in Albania typically accept credit cards from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Albania, and other countries.
Bitcoin ATMs?
No, as of the publication date of this article, Albania has no Bitcoin ATMs.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Albania
Bank of America: There are no Bank of America ATMs in Albania.
Citibank: None.
Barclays: There are no Barclays ATMs in Albania.
HSBC: There are no HSBC ATMs in Albania.
Standard Chartered: There are no Standard Chartered ATMs in Albania.
