Currency & Payment

Albania uses the Albanian lek (ALL, written L or Lek). Prices are usually shown in lek, and while some hotels, tour operators and shops in tourist areas may accept euros, the lek is the everyday currency. Note that in casual speech many locals still quote old lek, adding an extra zero, so confirm amounts to avoid confusion.

You can change money at banks and the many exchange offices found in cities and tourist areas. Euros are the easiest cash to exchange and usually get good rates, while US dollars and British pounds are also accepted. Compare a couple of exchange offices, avoid changing at the airport if you can, and count your money before leaving the counter.

Card acceptance is growing in Albania, and Visa and Mastercard work in city hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets and tourist shops. However, in rural areas, small shops, markets, many taxis and the shared furgon minibuses, cash is still the norm. Carry enough lek for daily spending and treat cards as a backup outside the main towns.

ATMs are plentiful in cities and tourist areas and are the easiest way to get lek. Many charge a withdrawal fee, and some dispense larger notes that are awkward for small purchases, so withdraw sensible amounts. Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) and choose to be charged in lek to get the better rate.

Contactless card payments, including phone wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, are becoming more common in cities, hotels and larger stores where card terminals are up to date. Coverage is still uneven, and many small or rural businesses rely on cash, so do not depend on mobile payment alone. It is handy in urban areas but best treated as a convenience.

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in Albania. In restaurants a tip of around 5 to 10 percent is customary for good service, and rounding up the bill is common in cafes and bars. For taxis you can round up the fare, and small tips for hotel staff or guides are welcome. Leaving a tip in cash is the simplest way, as card tipping is not always available.

Albania is one of the more affordable destinations in Europe. Meals in local restaurants, coffee, public transport and many attractions are inexpensive by Western European standards, though prices in popular coastal resorts rise in the summer season. Budget travellers can get by comfortably, while mid-range comforts remain good value compared with much of the continent.

Albania applies value added tax (VAT, known locally as TVSH) at a standard rate of 20 percent, which is included in displayed prices. A tourist tax-free refund scheme for visitors exists but is limited and not widely available, so do not count on reclaiming VAT on ordinary purchases. If a refund matters to you, ask the retailer in advance whether they participate and what the conditions are.