At the Balkan Payment Forum 2026, the Bank of Albania used opening remarks by First Deputy Governor Holta Zaçaj to highlight the country’s progress in modernising payment systems, expanding electronic payments and aligning the regulatory framework with European Union standards. In that context, she described Albania’s membership in SEPA as a major step in the country’s financial integration and linked payment system modernisation to higher financial inclusion. The speech pointed to early evidence from SEPA adoption and broader payment reforms. During the first six months of SEPA operations, about 363,000 transfers were executed with a total value of EUR 4.3 billion, while cross border transfer costs fell significantly for Albanian households and businesses. For 2025, 67% of bank payments were made by card and 20% via phone or internet, while electronic payments per capita reached 29, three times the 2020 level. Card payments also exceeded cash withdrawals by frequency for the first time. Zaçaj also referred to progress on open banking, payment infrastructure modernisation and financial education.
Bank of Albania 2026-05-14
Bank of Albania highlights SEPA uptake and growth in electronic payments at Balkan Payment Forum
At the Balkan Payment Forum 2026, the Bank of Albania highlighted progress in modernising payment systems, expanding electronic payments and aligning regulation with EU standards, underscoring Albania’s Single Euro Payments Area membership as key for financial integration. Early SEPA data showed 363,000 transfers worth EUR 4.3 billion in six months and significantly lower cross-border transfer costs, alongside a sharp rise in electronic payments, with card and digital channels accounting for most bank payments in 2025 and card transactions surpassing cash withdrawals.