Cash remains common in Albania, especially at smaller cafes, bakeries, local shops, and some taxis. At the same time, mobile banking and contactless payments are now available through a growing number of Albanian banks and payment providers. Residents, expats, and visitors with eligible cards can manage accounts, pay bills, transfer money, and in some cases use Apple Pay or Google Wallet for contactless payments.
The options depend on your bank, card type, and the service you want to use. Some banks support both Apple Pay and Google Wallet, while others currently support only one of them.
Table of Contents
- The Major Banks: Your First Stop for Online Banking
- BKT (Banka Kombëtare Tregtare)
- Raiffeisen Bank
- Credins Bank
- Beyond the Banks: Local Payment Apps
- EasyPay: The Albanian E-Wallet
- Other Players: PayLink and Bank Apps
- PayPal, Apple Pay & Google Wallet in Albania
- Practical Uses: What Can You Really Do?
- A Quick Word on Safety
- Authoritative Sources
The Major Banks: Your First Stop for Online Banking
If you plan to manage regular financial transactions, opening an account with a well-established Albanian bank can be useful. It enables salary deposits, bill payments, transfers, card management, and other digital transactions. Several major banks provide mobile apps that cover most everyday banking functions.
BKT (Banka Kombëtare Tregtare)
BKT has an extensive branch network across Albania. Its app, BKT Smart, provides account management and common banking services directly from a phone.
- Best For: Residents and customers who want banking, transfers, utility payments, and other account services in one app.
- Key Features: Account overview, domestic and international transfers, bill payments, and mobile top-ups.
Raiffeisen Bank
Raiffeisen Bank Albania provides its digital banking services through Raiffeisen ON, allowing customers to manage accounts and make common payments and transfers remotely.
- Best For: Customers looking for digital account management from an international banking group.
- Key Features: Account management, transfers, bill payments, and person-to-person payment functions.
Credins Bank
Credins Bank offers digital account services through Credins Online and related card services. Credins-issued eligible cards are also supported by both Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
- Best For: Customers who want local banking services together with current mobile-wallet support.
- Key Features: E-bill payments, domestic transfers, account management, card services, and supported mobile-wallet payments.
Beyond the Banks: Local Payment Apps
A full bank account is not always necessary for small payments and bill services. Albania also has non-bank payment providers that cover everyday transactions.
EasyPay: The Albanian E-Wallet
EasyPay is an electronic payment service licensed by the Bank of Albania. Users can fund their account through supported methods and use the service for a range of local payments.
Depending on the service currently available in the app, this can include utility bills, telecommunications, tickets, public-service payments, and other everyday transactions. Availability and individual payment channels can change, so check the app before relying on a particular service.
Other Players: PayLink and Bank Apps
You may also come across other payment providers and bank-operated payment tools. PayLink provides payment infrastructure used by businesses, while Albanian banks have developed their own person-to-person and card-payment functions. Raiffeisen, for example, has offered a phone-number-based Friends Payment feature for eligible customers.
PayPal, Apple Pay & Google Wallet in Albania
The older position that Albanian bank cards cannot be used with Apple Pay or Google Wallet is no longer correct. Apple Pay is officially supported in Albania, and Google lists Albania among the countries with supported Google Wallet payment methods.
Apple Pay in Albania
Apple currently lists Albania as an Apple Pay country and names the following participating Albanian banks and issuers. Apple notes that not every card from a participating bank is necessarily eligible, so the individual card should still be checked with the issuer.
Apple Pay participating banks — checked August 2026
| Bank / Issuer | Apple Pay Status | Card Note |
|---|---|---|
| Banka Credins | Supported | Eligible cards only; card availability can vary |
| Jetbank Albania | Supported | Eligible cards only; confirm with issuer |
| ProCredit Bank | Supported | Eligible cards only; confirm with issuer |
| Raiffeisen Bank | Supported | Eligible cards only; confirm with issuer |
| Rpay | Supported | Eligible cards only; confirm with issuer |
| Tirana Bank | Supported | Eligible cards only; confirm with issuer |
With an eligible card, Apple Pay can be used for contactless payments where the merchant terminal accepts the service, as well as for supported in-app and online payments.
Google Wallet in Albania
Google’s Albania payment-method list is more specific about supported card types. Support differs by issuer and card network.
Google Wallet supported cards — checked August 2026
| Bank / Issuer | Supported Cards |
|---|---|
| Banka Credins | Mastercard Credit, Debit and Prepaid; Visa Credit and Debit |
| JET Albania | Mastercard Credit and Debit |
| ProCredit Bank Albania | Mastercard Credit and Debit |
| RPay | Visa Credit and Debit |
| Tirana Bank | Mastercard Credit; Visa Credit and Debit |
| Union Bank | Mastercard Credit and Debit |
For contactless Google Wallet payments, the Android phone needs NFC. Google also notes that banks can restrict individual cards even when the institution appears on the supported list. If a card cannot be added, check with the issuing bank.
PayPal in Albania
PayPal is available in Albania, and the old statement that PayPal funds cannot be withdrawn to an Albanian bank account is no longer accurate. PayPal’s Albania help pages describe withdrawals to linked bank accounts and eligible cards. For users in Albania, a transfer to a local bank account may take up to 7 business days.
PayPal’s Albania consumer fee schedule also lists a charge of 536 ALL per ALL bank-account withdrawal. Currency conversion and other charges can apply depending on the transaction, so check the amount shown in PayPal before confirming a withdrawal.
Mobile wallet check: Bank and card support changes over time. The tables above reflect the official Apple and Google support lists checked in August 2026. A bank appearing in a list does not mean every card it issues is automatically eligible.
Practical Uses: What Can You Really Do?
Depending on your bank and payment provider, a phone can now cover many common financial tasks in Albania:
- ✅ Pay Utility Bills: Pay supported electricity, water, telecommunications, and other bills through participating bank or payment apps.
- ✅ Transfer Money: Send money between Albanian bank accounts using your bank’s available transfer options.
- ✅ Top Up Your Phone: Add credit to supported Vodafone or One mobile numbers through participating apps.
- ✅ Pay Fines and Public-Service Charges: Some payment providers, including EasyPay, support selected government and municipal payments.
- ✅ Send Money to Another Customer: Some banks provide person-to-person payment features.
- ✅ Pay Online: Use eligible bank cards for local and international online purchases.
- ✅ Use Contactless Mobile Payments: Eligible Albanian cards can now be added to Apple Pay or Google Wallet, depending on the issuing bank and card type.
A Quick Word on Safety
Banking and payment apps use several layers of account and transaction security, but users still need to protect their devices and credentials.
- Use the security features offered by your bank: This may include device registration, one-time codes, biometrics, transaction confirmation, or other authentication methods.
- Avoid Untrusted Wi-Fi: Do not conduct sensitive banking activity over an unsecured public network when a trusted mobile or private connection is available.
- Official Apps Only: Download banking and wallet apps from the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store and verify the publisher before installing them.
- Protect Wallet Access: Keep your phone screen lock, biometrics, and account recovery details secure if you use Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
- Check Before Approving: Review the recipient, amount, currency, and payment request before confirming a transfer.
In Practice: Cash is still useful for smaller everyday purchases, but Albania now has a broader mix of mobile banking, e-wallet, and contactless card-payment options. Apple Pay and Google Wallet support means eligible Albanian bank cards can be used directly from compatible phones, while services such as EasyPay and bank apps cover many local payments and account tasks.
Authoritative Sources
- Bank of Albania: The central bank’s Payment System section provides information on Albania’s payment infrastructure and licensed payment services.
- Apple Support: Countries and regions that support Apple Pay lists Albania as a supported market.
- Apple Support: Apple Pay participating banks in Africa, Europe and the Middle East lists the current participating Albanian banks and issuers.
- Google Wallet Help: Supported payment methods in Albania lists Albanian banks and the card types currently eligible for Google Wallet.
- PayPal Albania: Withdrawal guidance for Albanian users explains bank-account transfers and the possible processing period.
- PayPal Albania: Consumer fees lists the current withdrawal charge for Albanian accounts.
- Raiffeisen Bank Albania: Its digital banking section describes Raiffeisen ON services for customers.