Can I use Stripe in Albania?

As of September 2026, Albania is not on Stripe's official country list. For card payments, the most direct route is a virtual POS from an Albanian bank or a payment institution licensed in Albania.

How much does it cost to accept card payments?

Fees are set by the bank or provider and depend on the agreement. Get written quotes from two or three providers and compare the per-transaction fee, the monthly fee and how quickly the money arrives. For the cost of the site itself, read how much a website costs in Albania and see how we work out website pricing.

Should I drop cash on delivery?

Not necessarily. Many customers prefer it for a first purchase. Offer it alongside card payments and watch how customer choices change over time.

Is paying by card on my site safe?

Yes, when the card details are handled by the bank or a licensed provider, with 3D Secure verification, and your site never sees them. That's how we connect payments in the stores we build.

Online payments in Albania: how to accept card payments on your website

Guides · 30 September 2026 · 6 min read

A bank card is held up to a contactless payment terminal. — Photo: Nathana Rebouças / Unsplash

To accept payments online in Albania, a business today has four main routes: a bank's virtual POS for card payments on your site, payment links from payment institutions licensed by the Bank of Albania, bank transfer and cash on delivery. Some well known international services are not yet available in Albania; Stripe, for example, does not list Albania among the countries it serves. The right choice depends on what you sell, who you sell to and how many orders you get. Below we go through the options, with facts you can check yourself.

How online payments are regulated in Albania

Payment services in Albania are governed by Law No. 55/2020 on payment services, which is aligned with the EU's PSD2 directive. Under this law, anyone providing payment services must be licensed by the Bank of Albania, which also oversees the national payment system. In practice: before you sign up with a payment provider, check that it is a licensed bank or payment institution.

The Bank of Albania publishes regular payment statistics, which show card payments and electronic channels growing. Customers are already used to paying without cash, in shops and online. We cover how this ties into the country's wider digital shift in Albania's digital transition.

The options for online payments in Albania

1. A bank's virtual POS

Many banks in Albania offer a virtual POS: a payment page where the customer enters their card details. BKT, for example, accepts Visa and Mastercard cards, with 3D Secure verification. The money goes into your business account in Albania. You need a business account with that bank and a merchant agreement. This is the most complete option for an online store with regular orders.

2. Payment links from payment institutions

Some Albanian payment institutions offer payment links: you create a link for a set amount and send it to the customer by message or email. POK, for example, offers payment links and online payments for businesses. It works well for businesses that still sell through messages, for booking deposits and for services priced differently for each customer.

3. Bank transfer

Transfers work well for large amounts, business customers and invoiced orders. The customer gets your account details and you ship once the payment arrives. It's safe but slower, and someone has to check every payment.

4. Cash on delivery

Cash on delivery is still common in Albania, and many customers prefer it when buying from a shop for the first time. It has hidden costs, such as orders refused at the door and cash held by the courier, but there's no point dropping it without offering a trusted alternative.

Most stores offer more than one option. Our guide on how to sell online helps you choose the right mix for your products and customers. If you sell through DMs today, also read from Instagram to an online store.

What the bank expects from your website

Before activating a virtual POS, the bank reviews your site. The requirements published by BKT are typical of the market:

A secure connection (SSL), so the site opens over https.
A working product catalogue and shopping cart.
Clear prices and descriptions for every product or service.
Up-to-date contact details and customer service information.
Written policies on privacy, security, returns and terms of sale.
Working links throughout the site.

These requirements also match Law No. 10128/2009 on electronic commerce, which sets rules on the information an online seller must give buyers. A properly built site has all of this from day one. That's how we build sites in our website design service.

What customers expect when they pay online

To know the full price before paying, including delivery.
To pay with the card they have, without registering if they don't want to.
To see that the site is secure: https, the name of the bank or provider, 3D Secure verification.
To get a confirmation by email or message right after paying.
To know how refunds work if an order is cancelled or returned.

A store without online payment and with it

Before

Every order is paid on delivery, and some are refused at the door.
Customers in the diaspora can't buy for family in Albania.
Booking deposits are requested by message and checked by hand.
Sales money arrives late, once the courier hands it over.

After

Customers choose: card, link or cash on delivery.
Customers abroad pay by card and the order is delivered in Albania.
The deposit is paid at the moment of booking.
Card payments show up in the panel next to the order.

Advance payments are especially useful for bookings, above all for restaurants in high season and for clinics. See online bookings, before and after.

Payments, invoices and data

Every sale in Albania is fiscalised in real time under Law No. 87/2019, with no turnover threshold, whether the customer pays by card, transfer or cash. An online store needs to be planned so orders fit the way you fiscalise sales. Customer data, such as names, addresses and phone numbers, is protected by Law No. 124/2024. Your site should never store card details itself: the bank or payment provider handles them.

What's coming: SEPA and instant payments

On 21 November 2024, Albania officially joined the SEPA geographical scope, and euro transfers with member countries became cheaper. That helps businesses selling to the diaspora or to customers in Europe. Meanwhile, the regional TIPS Clone instant payments platform went live in July 2026, and the Bank of Albania is expected to join in November 2026. Ask your bank what it will offer businesses.

Can I use Stripe in Albania?: As of September 2026, Albania is not on Stripe's official country list. For card payments, the most direct route is a virtual POS from an Albanian bank or a payment institution licensed in Albania.
How much does it cost to accept card payments?: Fees are set by the bank or provider and depend on the agreement. Get written quotes from two or three providers and compare the per-transaction fee, the monthly fee and how quickly the money arrives. For the cost of the site itself, read how much a website costs in Albania and see how we work out website pricing.
Should I drop cash on delivery?: Not necessarily. Many customers prefer it for a first purchase. Offer it alongside card payments and watch how customer choices change over time.
Is paying by card on my site safe?: Yes, when the card details are handled by the bank or a licensed provider, with 3D Secure verification, and your site never sees them. That's how we connect payments in the stores we build.

Before you switch on payments, check your whole online presence with the online presence checklist for businesses.

Online store: We build online stores with card, link and cash on delivery payments, connected to orders and stock in one panel.

Sources

Tell us where you are today and where you want to get to. We reply with the steps, the timeline and the price.