Exchange your Albanian Leke
Do you have leftover Albanian Leke? Whether from a trip to Albania or for any other reason, we offer a simple and fast way to exchange both current and withdrawn Leke coins and banknotes. Don’t let your Albanian currency sit unused in a drawer, waiting for your next trip to Albania. With our fast exchange service, you can easily convert your Leke into spendable local currency without hassle. Exchange with us for a quick and convenient solution to turn your foreign currency into cash.
L - ALL
Introduced in 1926, the Albanian Leke is the official currency of Albania and remains an important part of the nation’s cultural and economic identity.
Albanian Leke Information
The Albanian Leke (ALL) is the official currency of Albania. The currency was first introduced in 1926 and has undergone several changes throughout its history. The Leke is subdivided into 100 qindarka, although qindarka coins are no longer in circulation. The Bank of Albania issues both coins and banknotes, with coins ranging in denominations from 1 to 100 leke and banknotes ranging from 200 to 5,000 leke.
Albania’s banknotes are known for their vibrant and artistic designs, which celebrate important aspects of the country’s history and culture. Famous Albanian figures, monuments, and landscapes are often depicted, making the currency a representation of national pride. The 500 leke banknote features the image of the national hero, Skanderbeg, a key figure in Albania’s fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
The currency’s value has fluctuated significantly over the years due to Albania’s economic history. During the communist era, the Leke was tightly controlled, and its value was not determined by market forces. However, after the fall of communism in the 1990s, Albania transitioned to a market-based economy, and the currency began to reflect more accurately the country’s economic conditions. Since then, the Leke has remained a stable, though relatively weak, currency compared to the U.S. Dollar or Euro.
In recent years, Albania has made significant strides in modernising its economy, and the Leke has become more widely accepted in international markets. Albania’s banking system has also evolved, providing citizens with more access to financial services and enabling the currency to play a larger role in the country’s development. Despite Albania’s ambitions to join the European Union, there are currently no plans to replace the Leke with the Euro. The currency remains a vital part of the nation’s identity, and Albanians continue to use it in their daily transactions.
Tourism in Albania has grown rapidly over the last decade, bringing more foreign visitors to the country. For travellers, the Leke is essential when visiting rural areas or smaller towns, where international currencies like the Euro or Dollar are not widely accepted. In urban areas, credit card use has become more common, but cash remains the preferred method of payment in most situations. Therefore, exchanging foreign currency for Leke is a necessity for most tourists.