Credit Cards in Greece: Everything You Need to Know

Greece has a well-developed credit card system, with many international banks offering their services in the country.

The majority of credit cards in Greece are issued by Greek banks, such as Alpha Bank, Eurobank, and National Bank of Greece.

You can use your credit card to make purchases in Greece, but be aware that some small businesses and restaurants may not accept them.

Many Greek businesses, especially in tourist areas, accept credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.

Using credit cards in Greece is relatively straightforward. Greek credit card machines use a chip and PIN system, like the rest of the EU.

To make a purchase, you'll need to input a four-digit PIN. If you don't have or know your PIN, contact your card issuer before your trip to avoid any issues.

It's a good idea to let your credit card company know about your travel plans beforehand. This will help you avoid having transactions flagged for fraud or your card frozen while you're abroad.

Fees and Charges can be a significant concern when using credit cards in Greece. Credit card fees can leave a noticeable dent in your pocket when you’re travelling overseas, so know what you’re up against well in advance and choose a card with no or low fees.

Paying with credit cards in Greece is convenient, but be cautious of bank fees. Most hotels, fuel stations, chain stores, and small businesses in cities have a credit card machine and accept MasterCard and Visa.

You can expect to use your card for most purchases without worrying about exchanging or withdrawing money, but confirm with the business before ordering if you plan to use a card to pay for a meal in a bar or taverna. Broken or faulty machines are common in many places.

Carrying some cash is still a good idea, especially for smaller establishments or in more remote areas. Credit cards are commonly accepted in most urban areas, hotels, restaurants, and larger establishments, but cash is still king in some parts of Greece.

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Greece has moved from magnetic-stripe to chip cards, and all banks in Greece now issue chip cards.

Chip and PIN cards are most commonly used for most transactions, while contactless is steadily growing in popularity for transactions of €50 and under.

If you have a magnetic-stripe card, you'll still be able to use it in Greece, although you can expect some confusion among retailers.

Some retailers may falsely believe they can no longer accept magnetic-stripe cards, while others may not let you use them to reduce credit card fraud.

You'll just need to swipe your card instead of inserting it into the machine, and then sign for the purchase.

If you use a chip-and-signature card, you can use it in Greece just about everywhere you find a manned credit card machine.

However, some businesses may be hesitant to accept them due to uncertainty about whether it's allowed, or to cut down on credit card fraud.

If you're getting tickets from a machine, you'll need to enter a PIN, in which case your chip-and-signature card won't work.

You'll be happy to know that major cities in Greece like Athens and Thessaloniki are now largely cash-free, with most local businesses using point of sale (POS) machines for debit and credit cards.

However, it's still a good idea to have some cash with you, especially if you plan to visit less touristy places like the countryside or Greek islands.

Street stalls are rarely equipped with POS machines, so you'll need cash to pay for goods and services.

Paying a street vendor with a card also means you won't be able to bargain for the price, which is a big part of the shopping experience in Greece.

Some hotels may also ask for payment in cash, even if you've already paid for an advance with a credit card online, so it's best to be prepared.

Booking your stay through a reputable website like booking.com can help avoid any misunderstandings about payment.

Paying with credit cards in Greece is a convenient option, but be cautious of bank fees. You can expect most hotels, fuel stations, chain stores, and small businesses in cities to have a credit card machine and accept MasterCard and Visa.

In fact, using credit and debit cards is quickly becoming the norm in Greece, with no problem using a foreign card at hotels, shops, and supermarkets nationwide. Most businesses now have point of sale (POS) machines for all kinds of cards, including credit and debit cards.

The most widely accepted cards are MasterCard and VISA, but you might have some trouble using a Diners Club or American Express credit card in certain places, as these mean a higher commission for local businesses. To avoid any issues, confirm with the business if they can take your card before making a purchase.

To use a credit card, you'll need to have a chip-and-PIN card, which is required by local legislation. If you don't have one, you can request a PIN code from your bank a few weeks before leaving home.

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Credit cards are a convenient way to make purchases without worrying about exchanging or withdrawing money, but be aware that some companies charge a foreign transaction fee, which can be up to 3%. Some credit cards, however, offer travel benefits like no transaction fees, lower exchange rates, and travel assistance to save you money and headaches.

To have a trouble-free experience using your credit card in Greece, exercise some caution. Keep your PIN safe by using one hand to enter it and the other to shield it from prying eyes and hidden cameras.

When selecting ATMs, stick to ones in banks and avoid using street ATMs. Try to avoid ATMs with "skimmers" that can steal information from your credit and debit cards. If you feel the card slot is not as smooth as it should be or if there's a problem with the keypad, cancel your transaction and look for another ATM.

Here are some tips to help you avoid common ATM scams:

Using your credit card in Greece can be a relatively trouble-free experience if you exercise some caution. Keep your PIN safe by using one hand to enter it and the other to shield it from prying eyes and hidden cameras.

Be mindful of the ATMs you use, and try to stick to ones in banks rather than those on the street. If you notice anything suspicious, such as a card slot that's not as smooth as it should be, cancel your transaction and look for another ATM.

It's a good idea to let your credit card company know about your travel plans before you leave for Greece, as this can help avoid transactions being flagged for fraud or your card being frozen.

Carrying at least two cards connected with Visa or Mastercard is a good idea, as American Express cards may not be accepted in many places.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using your credit card in Greece:

Greeks prefer to use cash, despite the fact that businesses are now required to accept cards. This preference for cash is a notable aspect of Greece's financial culture.

Using cash can be beneficial for security, as it reduces the risk of identity theft and credit card fraud.

Your UK bank cards will work on all ATMs in Greece, making it easy to access cash when you need it. You can find ATMs in most Greek cities and resorts, including at train and bus stations, petrol stations, shopping centres, and popular tourist destinations.

ATMs in Greece are linked to the Plus or Cirrus systems, so using your Visa or Mastercard card will be hassle-free. Many ATMs charge a withdrawal fee of around €2 to €3 per transaction, in addition to what your UK provider will charge.

It's a good idea to have an emergency supply of cash with you and a back-up card you can use over the counter. This will come in handy if you encounter any issues with your main card or if ATMs run out of cash.

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You'll have no problem using a foreign debit card at hotels, shops, and supermarkets nationwide in Greece.

However, at small cafes and tavernas, especially in small places, you'll need to ask beforehand if their POS is working and if they accept payment by card.

The most widely accepted cards are MasterCard and VISA.

Using a debit card for withdrawing cash is a good idea, as credit card payments are not processed immediately, giving you time to dispute a transaction if needed.

According to local legislation, to use a credit card, you'll have to have a chip-and-PIN card. If you don't have one, you can request a PIN code from your bank a few weeks before leaving home.

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