Exchanging Albanian money into euros outside Albania

I found a small amount of Albanian lekë (can you say "leks" in English?) in my wallet from last summer's visit there. Is there any place in Helsinki where I can change those back into euros? Forex, at least, doesn't list the currency on their website.

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Or, indeed, is there any place outside Albania where you can change lekë? I noticed a comment by Hippietrail saying that

I heard that Macedonian denar and Albanian lek are inconvertible currencies [...]

Is this true? Any source for this info?

Best Answer

Ok, Peter cleared up the more general doubt about exchangeability of the lek anywhere outside Albania. As to my original / more specific question:

Is there any place in Helsinki where I can change those back into euros?

Seems like no, not in Helsinki.

A "Money Change" booth I stumbled upon in Kamppi Centre: no (raising a suspicious eyebrow at the bills I procuced).
At Forex, they also said no. "Not yet, but maybe some day, if and when the currency becomes more accepted internationally." The clerk also said she doubts any banks would change leks either. (According to her, Forex has the widest selection of currencies available across any establishments that do currency exchange here.)
Just to make sure, I asked a friend who works in a large bank. She checked with their travel currency department, and confirmed that the Albanian lek is not accepted.

So if I really needed to get rid of the leks in Finland, I guess I should post to Pallontallaajat travellers' forum in hope of finding someone going to Albania. (Dunno about that; the amount I have is so small it doesn't warrant going to much trouble.)

Maybe we can deduce that accepting Albanian money is currently limited to countries near Albania...

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Exchanging Albanian money into euros outside Albania - Six 10 Euro Banknotes

Does Albania accept euros?

In Albania euros are also widely accepted. Paying with euros can be more expensive though. You will always receive change in lek if you choose to pay with euros. Exchange offices can be found in the larger cities, such as Tirana and Durr\xebs.

Is Albania a cheap country?

Albania is very affordable You can spend a phenomenal week travelling through the country without breaking the bank. Tirana, the capital, is the most expensive city, but you still won't spend too much compared to other Eastern European destinations.

How do I withdraw money from Albania?

Things to remember when using ATMs in Albania

Always choose to be charged in local currency (Albanian lek). Otherwise, you will receive a non-favorable exchange rate when taking out cash from ATMs or pay with a card. ...

Use a debit or credit card without ATM fees.

Never use a Euronet ATM.

Where can I change Albanian currency?

The best place to change Albanian currency is in a currency exchange agency in Albania. Because you cannot change Albanian currency abroad.

Albania Currency | Albanian Lek to Indian Rupees | Dollar to Albanian lek | Euro to Albanian Lek

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Pixabay, Karolina Grabowska, cottonbro, Dom J