1115) A new Polymer Banknote Series, Albania: The Bank of Albania ("Banka e Shqiperise") is issuing a new Banknote Series in six denominations in phases - 200 & 1000 Leke (30.09.2019), 1000 & 10000 Leke (in 2020), 2000 Leke (in 2021) and 500 Leke (in 2022):

1115) A new Polymer Banknote Series, Albania: The Bank of Albania ("Banka e Shqiperise") is issuing a new Banknote Series in six denominations in phases - 200 & 1000 Leke (30.09.2019), 1000 & 10000 Leke (in 2020), 2000 Leke (in 2021) and 500 Leke (in 2022):

The Bank of Albania ("Banka e Shqiperise") is revamping its Banknotes for the first time since 1995. The new Banknotes are made of polymer for the first time and are being printed by the Banknote and Security Paper printing major De La Rue.

This has been necessitated because over the past two decades, technology has been constantly improving, regarding security features. Banknotes of the new series are being prepared based on cutting edge technology and contain innovative elements. For example, for the 200 Leke Banknote, the material is more durable and helps keep the Banknote secure and clean.

The six Banknotes included in this series are -200 Leke, 500 Leke, 1,000 Leke, 2,000 Leke, 5,000 Leke and 10,000 Leke. 

The new Banknote Series will include security features, which offer better protection against counterfeiting and maintain public confidence and credibility in the currency.

All denominations in the current series of Albanian Banknotes, excluding the 2,000 Leke Banknote were approved in 1995 and entered circulation in 1996. 

In 2008, the 2,000 Leke Banknote was issued.

In 2011, the 100 Leke Banknote ceased to be legal tender.

The Bank has issued two Banknotes in the denominations of 200 Leke and 5000 Leke on 30.09.2019, which have initiated the new Banknote Series. 

The 10,000 and 1,000 Leke Banknotes will be issued beginning in 2020, the 2,000 Leke Banknote in 2021 and the 500 Leke Banknote will be put into circulation in 2022.

The spacing out of issue of the new Banknote series has been done as the production of a new series of Banknotes is a complex process, which may encounter technical difficulties, leading to a change of the planned  schedule for putting in circulation the respective banknotes. 

The new Series maintains the traditional designs of its predecessors, which showcase social, economic and political milestones in Albanian history, in which the distinguished personalities who have made outstanding contributions to Albania, have been  portrayed, combined with motifs related to their lives, work, place and era in which they lived. The main underlying idea is to create a contemporary look and a design that strikes a balance between innovation and tradition.

All existing/circulating Banknotes will continue to be legal tender and serve as a means of payment. The dates when each of the existing denominations - 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 Leke - will cease to be legal tender will be notified by the Bank of Albania in due course.

Even after the existing denominations cease to be legal tender, the already circulating Banknotes can be exchanged at face value for new Banknotes.

The Front of the 200 Leke Banknote depicts the National Awakening of 1831 to 1912, with a portrait of Naim Frasheri (1846-1900) who was a writer, poet and patriot and an open book in the background.

The Back of the 200 Leke Banknote depicts an image of the home in Naim Frasheri's birthplace, a leaf containing his verses "You give me honour, give me the Albanian name", his pen and the signatures of the governor and director of the National Bank.

The Dimensions of this Banknote are 125.0 mm x 65.0 mm and its Colour is predominantly light brown.

The Front of the 5000 Leke Banknote depicts the portrait of Gjergi Kastrioti Skanderbeg, an Albanian nobleman and military commander who led a revolt against the Ottoman Empire in what is present day Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. He became a well known symbol of Albanian nationalism. 

The Back of the 5000 Leke Banknote depicts a statue/monument to Skanderbeg  and his hometown.

The Dimensions of this Banknote are 153.0 mm x 72.0 mm and its Colour is predominantly light green/yellow.

The 500 Leke Banknote scheduled for release in 2022 showcases The Independence Movement, featuring the first Prime Minister Ismail Qemali (1912 to 1914).

The 1000 Leke Banknote scheduled for issue in early 2020, showcases the Middle Ages, with a portrait of Pjetr Bogdani, the 17th Century writer of original Albanian literature.

The 2000 Leke Banknote scheduled for release in 2021, is from the Illyrian period and showcases  the ancient Illyrian period with a portrait of King Gent.