Since August 2025 the four big Greek banks charge no local fee at their own ATMs, so withdraw at Piraeus, Alpha, Eurobank or National Bank machines. Euronet units in tourist areas charge EUR 4 to 12 and push DCC at an 8 to 13 per cent markup.
- Since 15 August 2025 the four big Greek banks charge no local fee on foreign-card withdrawals at their own machines - Piraeus, Alpha, National Bank and Eurobank.
- Avoid Euronet machines, sited at airports, ports and tourist streets deliberately where a bank branch is not, charging EUR 4 to EUR 12 per withdrawal.
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion, which costs 8% to 13% - on a Euronet screen "continue without conversion" is the small, unhighlighted option.
- Greek law obliges nearly every business to accept cards, taxis and traditional tavernas included, though American Express and Diners are often refused.
- Carry EUR 50 to EUR 100 in cash anyway for village markets, small kiosks and island stalls. Tipping is not obligatory - rounding up or 5% to 10% is normal.
Money and paying for things
Greece uses the euro (EUR).
- ATM withdrawals: Since 15 August 2025 the four major Greek commercial banks - Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece and Eurobank - have charged no local fee for withdrawals on foreign cards at their own machines. Whatever you pay is your own bank's charge. These are the machines to look for.
- ATMs to avoid: The independent Euronet machines stationed at airports, ports and on tourist streets charge a direct fee of EUR 4 to EUR 12 per withdrawal and steer hard towards a poor conversion. They are deliberately sited where a bank branch is not.
- The DCC trap (dynamic currency conversion): At a cash machine or a card terminal, any offer to settle in your own currency carries a markup of 8% to 13% against the interbank rate. Always decline and choose to be charged in EUR. On a Euronet screen the "continue without conversion" option is the small, unhighlighted one.
- Cards versus cash: Greek law obliges nearly every business - including taxis and traditional tavernas - to accept cards, and Visa and Mastercard are taken everywhere. American Express and Diners are often refused. Carry EUR 50 to EUR 100 in cash anyway for village markets, small kiosks and island stalls.
- Tipping: Not obligatory. Rounding up, or 5% to 10% for good service in a restaurant, is normal and cash is preferred.
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