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Money & currency

Money in Greece

Updated 2026-08-15

Money & Currency
€

Euro (EUR)

Currency code: EUR

Practical Money Tips

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.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

What is the currency of Greece?

Greece uses the Euro (EUR, symbol €), shared across the Eurozone. Banknotes come in €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500 (though €500 notes are rarely seen and sometimes refused). Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, and €2. Greek euro coins feature national designs — the owl from the Athenian tetradrachm on the €1 coin is a popular collector's item. Travelers from Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and other Eurozone countries use the same currency with no exchange needed.

How much should I budget per day in Greece?

It depends on your style more than on Greece: budget travel runs on hostels or simple rooms, gyros and taverna lunches, slow ferries and free beaches; mid-range adds a 3-star hotel, restaurant meals, faster ferries and entrance fees; upscale means boutique hotels, fine dining, private boat tours and the luxury island resorts. The useful relative facts: gyros and souvlaki remain the reliable cheap meal everywhere; slow conventional ferries cost far less than the high-speed boats; Mykonos and Santorini run 30-50% above the mainland and other islands; and July-August peak season pushes accommodation prices up sharply. Check current prices before setting a budget — they shift with season and island.

Do I need cash on the Greek islands?

On major islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu), card payments work at most established businesses. But cash is still essential for: traditional tavernas away from main tourist strips, beach sunbed rentals, water taxis between small islands, local buses, bakeries, and kiosks. On smaller, less-touristed islands (Folegandros, Amorgos, Ithaca, Symi, Karpathos), cash is significantly more important — some businesses are cash-only, and ATMs may be limited to one machine in the port town. Rule of thumb: always carry at least one day's budget in cash when island-hopping, and withdraw before leaving a larger island.

Is Greece expensive compared to other Mediterranean destinations?

Greece sits in the mid-range for Mediterranean Europe — cheaper than Italy, France, or Spain's resort areas, but more expensive than Turkey or Croatia. Mainland Greece and lesser-known islands offer excellent value: full taverna meals with local wine, reasonable double rooms and cheap domestic flights all cost well below what the famous islands charge. However, Mykonos and Santorini are premium-priced — comparable to the French Riviera for dining and accommodation during peak season. The best value is found on the mainland (Peloponnese, Pelion, Epirus), the northern Aegean islands (Thassos, Samothrace), and Crete outside the resort strips. Shoulder season (May-June, September-October) offers the best balance of weather and prices.

Should I exchange money before traveling to Greece?

If you're traveling from within the Eurozone (Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, etc.), no exchange is needed — you use the same currency. For visitors from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or other non-Euro countries: bringing a small euro reserve for immediate expenses upon arrival is practical, but ATMs at Athens and Thessaloniki airports offer good rates. Avoid exchanging large amounts at home — exchange bureaus in departure countries reliably offer worse rates than Greek ATMs. Your debit card at a Greek ATM will usually give you the interbank rate minus your bank's foreign-transaction fee.

Are there any money scams to watch out for?

Greece is generally safe regarding money, but standard tourist precautions apply. In Athens taxis, always insist the meter is running (tariff 1 in daytime, tariff 2 midnight-5 AM and outside city limits) — some drivers targeting tourists from the airport or port quote inflated flat rates. In restaurants, check the bill carefully against what you ordered, especially in heavily touristed areas (Plaka in Athens, Fira caldera in Santorini). ATM skimming exists but is rare — use ATMs attached to bank branches rather than standalone machines. Currency exchange shops near major tourist sites sometimes advertise attractive rates then add hidden commissions. Counterfeit bills are extremely rare since Greece adopted the Euro.

Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay in Greece?

Yes, Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most modern payment terminals in Greece, especially in Athens, Thessaloniki, and major tourist destinations. Contactless payments (both phone and card) are widely supported at restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and hotels. The Athens metro and public transport system also accepts contactless bank cards. However, many traditional tavernas, small island businesses, and rural establishments still rely on older terminals or cash only. For reliable mobile payments, ensure your card is linked to your phone wallet before arrival.

How do ferry tickets work — cash or card?

Ferry tickets can be booked online in advance (recommended for July-August, especially popular routes like Athens-Santorini or Athens-Mykonos) through comparison sites or directly from ferry companies (Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, SeaJets, Minoan Lines). Online booking requires a card. At port ticket offices, both cash and cards are accepted. Prices vary dramatically: slow conventional ferries are cheapest (Athens-Santorini is a 7-8 hour crossing), high-speed ferries cost roughly double but take half the time. Buying at the port on the day of travel is possible outside peak season but risky in July-August when popular routes sell out. Keep paper or digital tickets accessible — they're checked at boarding.

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the Greece overview.

Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.