Banking in Albania
Best banks in Albania for expats & digital nomads
Opening a bank account is one of the first things you do after moving to Albania. Here are the accounts that work for newcomers and non-residents, plus the fintech we would set up before you fly.
How to open a bank account in Albania
Foreigners aged 18+ can generally open an account with a valid passport; banks usually also ask for proof of an Albanian address and, for freelancers/business, a tax number (NIPT). Most banks offer ALL, EUR and USD accounts, deposits are protected by Albania's deposit insurance scheme, and debit cards are typically issued about 20 days later. Remote opening for true non-residents is limited.
Top banks in Albania
Raiffeisen Bank Albania
traditionalAustrian-owned and the first Albanian bank fully SEPA-ready (Oct 2025); English 'Raiffeisen ON' app, experienced with non-Albanian KYC.
BKT (Banka Kombetare Tregtare)
traditionalAlbania's oldest bank with a dedicated international clients unit and an English app; supports some online onboarding for eligible clients.
Credins Bank
traditionalAlbanian-owned group founded 2003 with 50+ branches; English pages and online banking available.
Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania
traditionalPart of the Intesa Sanpaolo group; account holder generally must be present at a branch to open.
Tirana Bank
traditionalOffers digital onboarding options for new clients alongside branch service.
International accounts & neobanks
Used by some for cheaper payments, but full account availability for Albanian residents is not confirmed; verify before relying on it, and note using only Wise does not replace a local account for tax/B2B compliance.
Multi-currency payments account used by Albanian freelancers and remote workers to receive money at better rates than SWIFT.
Availability changes; confirm on each provider's site.
Next steps in Albania
See the full Albania tax, cost and visa profile, or compare Albania with other destinations. Not sure where to go yet? Take the finder quiz.