Steps to validate an IBAN
There are two different validations that can be performed to ensure an UK IBAN is correct.
- 01First validation is done using the IBAN's Check Digits using the MOD97 algorithm.
- 02Second layer of validation can be carried out on the domestic sort code and account number combination
- 03Match the sort code against our Bank and Branch code directory to check if it exists
Found the correct IBAN, What to do next
Now that you have a verified Albanian IBAN, here is how to use it correctly.
- 01Confirm the beneficiary name exactly as it appears on the Albanian bank account. Lek (ALL) transfers are routinely rejected on name mismatches.
- 02Pair the IBAN with the recipient bank's SWIFT/BIC for any inbound payment from outside Albania.
- 03Decide your rail. For domestic ALL transfers banks route through AIPS or AECH. For inbound EUR from Europe, Albania's October 2025 SEPA accession lets you use SEPA Credit Transfer.
- 04Confirm the currency the account accepts (ALL, EUR, or USD multi-currency).
- 05Send a small test value before any high-value transfer, especially for first time corporate beneficiaries.
Common transfer mistakes to avoid for Albania
Exact beneficiary name
Must match bank records exactly to avoid rejection or delays
Correct SWIFT/BIC code
Ensures the payment routes to the right bank.
Currency match
Sending the wrong currency can trigger extra fees or failed transfers.
Active account details
Outdated or inactive accounts can result in returned payments.
IBAN Rules in Albania
- 01IBAN is mandatory in Albania for every domestic and cross-border bank transaction since Bank of Albania Regulation No. 42 took effect on 1 June 2009.
- 02The 28-character Albanian IBAN starts with AL, two check digits, an 8-digit bank and branch identifier, and a 16-character account number. The format applies uniformly across every commercial bank.
- 03Albanian IBANs are used for both domestic ALL transfers and international payments. Legacy account numbers were fully phased out in 2009, so there is no parallel local format. Following Albania's SEPA accession in October 2025, the same IBAN now also routes SEPA Credit Transfers in EUR, which removes correspondent-bank overhead on EU payments.
Albania Payment Schemes
Albania's payment infrastructure is operated mainly by the Bank of Albania, with SEPA reach added in late 2025.
- 01AIPS (Albanian Interbank Payment System), Bank of Albania, RTGS for large-value ALL settlement, live since January 2004.
- 02AECH (Albanian Electronic Clearing House), Bank of Albania, multilateral net clearing for retail and low-value ALL payments up to ALL 10 million, SEPA-compliant.
- 03AFISaR, Bank of Albania, securities settlement, with cash legs settling in AIPS.
- 04SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) and SEPA Direct Debit (SDD), via Albania's October 2025 SEPA accession.
- 05TIPS-based domestic instant payments scheme, in development with Banca d'Italia, rollout expected late 2026.
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Disclaimer
This tool is provided for informational purposes only. Xflow does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of results. Always verify account details directly with your bank or beneficiary before initiating any transfer. Xflow is not liable for any losses arising from incorrect IBAN usage.
Last Reviewed: 26/05/2026