ALL / ZAR

The lek is the official currency of Albania, introduced in 1926 to replace the gold franc. Its name derives from the Albanian word "lekë," meaning lion, a historic symbol of the nation. The lek has been the backbone of Albania's monetary system through periods of transition, including the post‑communist era, and today it operates under a managed float against major currencies.

Issued by the Bank of Albania, the lek is denoted by the symbol L. While the primary unit is the lek, the sub‑unit is the qindarka (100 qindarka = 1 lek), which has not been minted since 2002 and is no longer in circulation. Coins are available in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 lek, and banknotes range from 100 to 5,000 lek, featuring national landmarks and notable figures.