Personal Finance Tips

Can I use Revolut in Albania?

Gert Svaiko

06.11.23 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

Planning a trip to Albania? You may be visiting friends and family in the capital of Tirana, or heading to the sunny south coast for a beach break.

Whatever the reason for your visit, you’ll need to find the cheapest and easiest way to spend in Albanian lek (ALL).

Revolut is one option for spending internationally, but the big question is - does it work in Albania? We’ll cover everything you need to know right here in this guide. This includes whether ALL is supported by Revolut and whether there are fees for using your Revolut card in Albania.

And while you’re comparing travel spending solutions, make sure to check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise.

You can use it for purchases and ATM withdrawals in 150+ countries worldwide, including Albania. It automatically converts your money to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend*.

Can I use Revolut in Albania?

Yes, you can use your Revolut account and card in Albania.

While you can’t hold a balance in Albanian lek in your Revolut account, you can still spend in the currency using your Revolut card.¹

This should work anywhere in Albania where Visa and Mastercard are accepted. This includes shops, restaurants, bars, transport hubs, hotels and ATMs.

Are Albanian leks supported for spending?

Revolut does support the Albanian lek (ALL).¹ This means you can spend in ALL using your Revolut card, just like a local. The card will automatically convert the currency for you.

How much does it cost to use a Revolut card in Albania?

Generally speaking, it’s fee-free to use your Revolut card in other countries.

However, there are some situations when you may be charged a fee. For example, if you convert currency at weekends or withdraw more than a certain amount in cash from a foreign ATM.

Let’s take a look at the Revolut card fees you need to know about, based on the free Standard plan:

Transaction	Revolut fee
Additional merchant surcharge fees (for paying by card)	Set by the merchant (if applicable)
Currency exchange transactions above £1,000 a month	1%²
Currency exchanges on weekends	1%³
ATM withdrawals over £200 (or more than 5 withdrawals)	2%²

Alongside fees, it’s also a good idea to check out Revolut’s exchange rates.

Revolut usually uses the mid-market exchange rate for currency conversions, just like Wise. This means your money goes further.

But there are some occasions when the money app will add some extra fees to this rate.

For example, if you pay for something in a different currency to your Revolut balance at a weekend, you’ll be charged a 1% fee. As you can’t currently hold a balance in Albanian lek, this means that you’ll automatically be charged the fee if you spend in Albania at the weekend.

Similarly, if you convert more than £1,000 within a 30-day period, you’ll be charged a 1% fee.

Can I get a Revolut account in Albania?

If you’re planning to stay in Albania for an extended period, it could make sense to open a local account there.

Unfortunately, though, you won’t be able to open a Revolut account there, as it doesn’t offer accounts and cards to customers in Albania at the moment.⁴

The good news though is that you can still use a UK-issued Revolut card there. You can also use Revolut to send money from the UK to Albania.

A great alternative for low-cost spending in Albania - the Wise card

Want a great exchange rate all the time, not just on weekends?

Get yourself a Wise card and you can spend at the mid-market rate in 150+ countries, whenever you want.

Open a Wise account online and you can get a Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7. Your card automatically converts currency whenever you spend, so you don’t need to worry about preloading your account or converting cash. There’s only a small conversion fee* to pay.

And if you need cash, your Wise card has you covered. You can withdraw up to £250 a month from Albanian ATMs for free, with no limit on the number of free withdrawals (although double-check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fee). After that, a 2.69% fee applies.

Sources used:

Revolut Help - What currencies are supported for spending?
Revolut - Standard Fees
Revolut - Help - Currency exchange fees
Revolut - Country list

Sources last checked on date: 19-Oct-2023

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.