Greece, a land where ancient history meets the azure Mediterranean, is a tapestry of sun-drenched islands, historic ruins, and vibrant culture. From the iconic Acropolis of Athens to the idyllic beaches of Santorini, and from the legendary palaces of Crete to the lively streets of Thessaloniki, Greece offers a journey through time and beauty. Navigating the financial landscape is crucial for a smooth experience, so understanding the local currency and cash, cash and ATMs in Greece and payment options is essential. This guide will provide you with the financial knowledge needed to explore the wonders of Greece with ease and confidence, immersing yourself in its rich heritage and stunning landscapes.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to travel on a budget in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Greece?
Greece’s 5,000+ ATMs are mostly operated by its major banks and are found in cities and towns. In remote areas, however, ATMs are not as common. Look for them in usual spots like airports, market squares, and shopping areas, Bank branches, Some corporate buildings
You can find ATMs at:
- major transport hubs, central markets, busy tourist streets, malls, and near banks.,
- Central Markets,
- Busy tourist streets,
- Malls,
- Near Banks,
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main streets,
- Religious places,
- Remote resorts and retreats,
Best ATMs to use in Greece for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Greece are those owned by popular banks such as:
Piraeus Bank,
Alpha Bank,
Eurobank,
Attica Bank, and
National Bank of Greece.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Greece part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Greece, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in EUR).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Greece, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in EUR’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Greece?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Greece. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Greece.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Greece?
Words ATM or Bancomat are widely used
PIN type
Also, many merchants used old machines which require a magnetic stripe on the card and not just a chip-and-pin card.
Languages at ATMs in Greece
Greek ATMs will greet you with options for Greek or English, and sometimes French, German, and Spanish. If the language is a hurdle, Google Translate’s camera function might be a real-time solution, but ensure you check the translations carefully.
You can use Google Translate’s camera feature to get real-time translations of your phone’s menu options to translate the ATM screen. Feel free to take your time and not rush through the transaction. Just keep in mind that these translations may not always be 100% accurate.
Do ATMs in Greece work similarly as other countries?
Greece has modern ATMs akin to those in developed economies, complete with similar functionalities. Some may hold onto your card until the transaction is complete, so don’t leave it behind.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Europe.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Greece?
ATMs in Greece dispense only the official currency Euro (EUR).
ATM withdrawal limits in Greece?
Majority of the ATMs in Greece have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of as much as the card’s limit. Some banks limit the withdrawal limit to € 600 to € 850 per transaction.
ATM Fees in Greece?
There are many fee-free ATMs in Greece. Many bank ATMs do not charge any fees to foreign card holders, some bank ATMs charge between € 1.5 to € 2 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Greece – something every traveller handling cash in Greece should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Greece?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Greece?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Greece. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Greece.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Is it safe to use Greece ATMs?
ATMs in Greece are generally safe, with security features like cameras and guards. However, there have been reports of skimming devices near keypads.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Greece takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, its not possible. There are some fee-free ATMs in Greece. Some bank ATMs do not charge any fees to foreign card holders, while some bank ATMs charge between € 1.5 to € 2 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Greece?
Yes. You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Greece
Bitcoin ATMs?
Yes, there are a few Bitcoin ATMs in Greece.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Greece
Bank of America: No
Citbank: Yes, there are a few Citibank ATMs in Greece.
Barclays: None at all
HSBC: Yes, there are a few HSBC ATMs in Greece.
Standard Chartered: None at all.
