Money in Greece

Currency Exchange in Greece

Greece uses the Euro (EUR), so travelers from other Eurozone countries need no exchange at all. For visitors converting from USD, GBP, or other currencies, ATMs offer the best rates. Dedicated exchange offices exist in Athens (Syntagma Square area), Thessaloniki, and major tourist islands but charge noticeable commissions. Banks exchange currency but with limited hours and longer waits. Avoid airport and hotel exchanges — rates are significantly worse. On smaller islands, exchange options may be limited to a single ATM, so carry enough euros before island-hopping to remote destinations.

ATM Availability

ATMs (called 'ΑΤΜ' in Greek) are widely available in Athens, Thessaloniki, and all major tourist destinations. Major Greek banks include Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece, and Eurobank. On popular islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu), ATMs are plentiful in main towns but may run dry during peak August weekends — withdraw early in the day. On smaller, less-visited islands, there may be only one or two ATMs for the entire island. Daily withdrawal limits vary by bank and card — the machine shows its ceiling before you confirm. Your home bank may add a fee per international withdrawal; check your card's terms, and whether your bank has fee-free European ATM agreements.

Card Acceptance

Card payments have expanded dramatically in Greece since the 2015 capital controls, which pushed the country toward digital payments. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, larger shops, supermarkets, and tourist businesses. Contactless payment works widely in cities and resort areas. However, cash remains important for: traditional tavernas on smaller islands, beach vendors, small kiosks (periptera), local bus fares, boat taxis, and rural areas. Many family-run businesses technically accept cards but prefer cash for small amounts. Always carry a modest cash reserve alongside your cards, especially when heading to islands or villages.

Tipping Customs

Tipping in Greece is appreciated but not obligatory — there is no American-style tipping pressure. In sit-down restaurants, leaving 5-10% is standard if no service charge is included; many Greeks simply round up or leave a few euros. Tipping at tavernas is looser — leaving spare change on the table is common. Hotel porters: €1-2 per bag. Taxi: round up to the nearest euro. Tour guides on day trips: €5-10 per person. Boat captains for private tours: €10-20. Housekeeping: €1-2 per day left on the pillow. In cafés, dropping coins from your change into the tip jar is the local norm. Always tip in cash even if you pay the bill by card.