Best ways to spend travel money in Greece: Debit and prepaid cards

Learn more about the best card to use, if you should use a UK debit card and other ways to take spending money to Greece.

The country needs little introduction, but there are a million reasons to travel to Greece. It’s the very cradle of Western civilisation, offering mouth-watering food and best of all, a fantastic climate.

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Can I use my debit card in Greece?

Generally speaking, yes. Most shops, restaurants and bars accept debit cards from UK banks, however some smaller businesses may not accept them and it would be worth taking cash too. Also be aware that your bank may charge overseas fees each time you make a transaction or withdraw money.

When you choose a debit card, currency conversion fees and foreign ATM transaction fees should be among the features you compare. Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and other banks will charge a non-sterling transaction fee.

There are a number of banks and e-money providers with low or no overseas transaction charges.

Using a prepaid travel card

Travel cards allow you to load British pounds, and then transfer them to euros to spend in Greece. You can avoid currency conversion fees for purchases and ATM withdrawals, just watch out for reload fees and ATM fees (some travel cards waive these fees).

Travel money cards make sense in a place like Europe. With so many countries so close together all using the same currency, a travel card gives you the freedom to explore Greece and the rest of the European continent without needing to change currency.

Using a credit card

Look out for cards that don’t charge a currency conversion fee. If you only use your credit card to pay for over the counter purchases, use another type of card (debit or travel) to withdraw money from the ATM — cash withdrawals on credit are a quick way to end up in debt. If you pay your balance off each month to take advantage of interest-free days, credit cards can be a great travel money option for Greece.

Some credit cards give you complimentary travel and purchase protection insurance when you meet conditions too. A credit card is also a good idea to have as a backup for large or emergency purchases.

Using traveller’s cheques

Don’t worry about traveller’s cheques, the days of carrying a physical cheque are pretty much done. Credit, debit and travel card providers all give you a money back guarantee if you’ve genuinely been the victim of card fraud, such as skimming, and there are fewer places than ever where you can actually cash your cheques anyway.

Paying with cash in Greece

Greece is a nation of a thousand islands famous for history, hedonism, nature and nightlife. Given the current economic climate, take heed of the following:

ATMs running dry

Reports during the peak tourist season of ATMs running out of cash at the weekend, and not being restocked until mid-week, are common.

  • Always have an emergency supply of cash with you in Greece, and a back-up card you can use over the counter in case.
  • Don’t be afraid to try the ATMs that don’t have signs written in English. Often, especially during tourist season, ATMs with English signs will run out of money first, and, even if the machine is in Greek, when you insert a foreign card, the ATM display will usually pop up in English.
  • Tip: Whether genuine or not, vendors in small shops that cater to tourists seemingly never have any change. If you are planning to purchase little souvenirs, presents or other bits and pieces, it’s better to take a collection of smaller denominations with you to avoid the ‘no-change situation’. You can change larger notes at banks, although even banks will sometimes be less than gracious about changing 500 euro notes.

How many euros do I need to take to Greece for a week?

Travellers frequently look for advice and estimates about the cost of a holiday in Greece, or want to know how much money they should take. The answer is relative. A holiday here can be very expensive if you’re in the mood for indulgence, but it can also be a great budget destination if you know how to do it.

Find out some typical Greek holiday prices

BudgetMid-rangeExpensive
bldg

Hostels

£15–£25 per night

2-star hotel in Greece
£50–£100 per night
5-star hotel in Greece
£300–£500 per night
utensilGyros
£3–£5
Dinner for 2 at a traditional Greek taverna
£35–£50
5-star restaurant
£60–£100
cameraWalk to the beach and visit old towns
for free
Visit Ancient Greek ruins
£7–£15 per person
Island hop via ferry
£15–£45 per person

While there is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into Greece, you must declare anything over 10,000 euros. Traveller’s cheques, bank bills, personal cheques and money orders are all considered ‘cash’. There are restrictions on the amount of money you can take out, but the majority of people don’t need to worry about this limit.

Exchanging cash at Greek banks

Banks tend to have the best exchange rates and are open from 8am to 2:30pm on weekdays. Come prepared for a wait though; long lines are a frequent occurrence here. Automatic foreign exchange machines are also a common feature in tourist centres, which offer a convenient and wait-free way to change your cash. But be advised: they charge a sizeable commission.

Exchange rate history

Greece has been through a period of instability as a result of the economic crisis, with fluctuations in deflation and inflation. The price of goods and services relative to the value of the currency is likely to change marginally in the future as the economy corrects itself. Brexit may also be having an effect on exchange rates and prices, so make sure you’re aware of what costs what.

YearAverage annual exchange British pounds (GBP) to euro (EUR)
20161.2248
20171.1413
20181.1300
20191.1397
20201.1245
20211.1629
20221.1732
20231.1492
20241.1676

*2024 average rate from 1 January to 24 March 2024.

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

Greece is a European Union member, and euros have been the official currency used since 2001. All travel cards will allow you to load and spend using euros. The advantage of a travel card is you avoid the fee for international transactions.

However, some debit cards and credit cards give you this feature too. If you’ve booked a holiday on a particular island that is a little more off the map, do a quick search before you go to see if it has an ATM. It will be a tiring first day if you need to take a boat back to the mainland so you can pay for your hotel or apartment.

Most digital banking apps, which are a great option owing to very low transaction and withdrawal fees, come with either a Visa or Mastercard bank card. They work as normal bank accounts do, so the “topping up” process simply consists of transferring money into the account.

Things to consider before travelling to Greece

  • UK credit cards, debit cards and travel cards will work in Greece. The government has assured travellers capital control measures do not apply to transactions made with a debit or credit product issued in the UK.
  • ATMs may be short of cash. It’s advised to take cash from the UK (pounds or euros) so you don’t run out.
  • Take a combination of travel money options to Greece. A combination of cash, credit, debit or travel cards is the best approach.

Buying euros in the UK

Economic uncertainty is the word in Greece at the moment. Euros in your pocket when you land can give you peace of mind for the start of your trip. Your bank will be able to give you euros in cash, but have a look at our travel money providers to get the most competitive rates before buying your money.

Bottom line

A combination of travel money products is the best way to finance your Greek trip, especially since there may be times when you can’t get cash from an ATM. If this is the case, you’ll need to rely on making over the counter purchases — a no currency conversion card is best in this situation.

If you want to avoid paying ridiculous charges, never use your credit card at an ATM to get cash. This is a cash advance and there are fees and immediate interest charges to think about.

If you want to avoid charges altogether then you should definitely consider using a digital banking app, such as Starling, Revolut or N26. These apps offer zero fees on transactions and withdrawals in most if not all currencies, and can be managed easily from your phone. Not only can you save on the hassle of incurring charges, but you can also save yourself the stress of getting travel money. If you do choose this option, though, try not to misplace your phone.

Greece is a magical destination with much to discover for any kind of traveller. If you are planning a trip there, do some research, have a think about what kind of trip you would like and choose a travel money product that suits you.

We recommend taking multiple cards to give yourself peace of mind. Just a travel card or credit card often won’t cut it, so make sure you have a variety of options available to make the most of your trip.

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Senior writer

Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio

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10 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    TracyJuly 22, 2019

    My son and his friend’s are going on their first holiday to Laganus in Zante. I don’t want them taking a lot of cash. Do the clubs and bars accept debit or travel money cards?

      AvatarFinder
      JeniJuly 23, 2019Finder

      Hi Tracy,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      There are establishments in Laganas, Zante where they may see which cards are accepted but cash is generally preferred by the locals. ATMs are accessible since most of them are situated at most resorts or hotels or other popular and crowded places.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

    Default Gravatar
    DannySeptember 27, 2018

    I’ve got a wedding in August 2019 for my daughter in Lindos, will I need to take cash? I was told last week that most restaurants only want cash.

      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynSeptember 28, 2018Finder

      Hello Danny,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Upon checking, recent reviews on using cards in most restaurants in Lindos confirm that they accept cards. There may be other merchants that do not accept cards so best to also bring cash for back up.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    MichaelAugust 27, 2018

    I’m off to Paxos with my family in April 2019. Do you know if there are ATMs on the island?

      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynAugust 27, 2018Finder

      Hello Michael,

      Thank you for your comment.

      As per reviews, you are recommended to use cash in Paxos. You’ll be able to withdraw from two machines in Gaios and one in Lakka. Some of the restaurants in Paxos accepts credit cards but it is still preferred to use cash.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    BrianAugust 12, 2018

    Hi I’m going to Corfu in September 2018 do you advise me to take euro’s with me or get them in Corfu this is my first time going to Greece
    Thank you

      AvatarFinder
      CharisseAugust 18, 2018Finder

      Hi Brian,

      Thank you for reaching out to finder.

      While we are unable to give advise, you may take into consideration these helpful information in deciding what will work for you.

      If you are comfortable carrying large amount of cash (Euros) with you, please keep in mind that although there is no limit with the amount of money you can bring to Greece, you need to declare anything over 10,000 Euros. Also, when bringing large amount of money, make sure you have a proper storage like a safety box for safekeeping your money during your entire trip. On the other hand, when you exchange your money before leaving, you don’t have to look for banks or money exchange facilities where you can get the best exchange rates when you get there.

      Aside from bringing Euros, one option you can look at is using ATM machines. This can be a convenient way to withdraw money whenever you need it and as you go. However, charges may apply which varies from bank to bank. Please note that ATM machines may run out of cash especially during peak tourist season so it’s always good to have backup like credit cards or travel cards in case of emergencies.

      Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

      Cheers,
      Charisse

    Default Gravatar
    AngeApril 12, 2018

    I have recently recieved euros for my holiday but they have sent me a lot of 50s and 100s euro notes
    Is there anywhere I can change them for smaller notes(I’m in the UK)?

      AvatarFinder
      JeniApril 13, 2018Finder

      Hi Ange,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      For your 50 and 100 notes some hotels are still accepting them so you may keep some of them. You may try your luck exchanging them in some banks around you and please don’t forget some documents.

      Probably best to take them to a bank next time you are in a euro-zone country, although depending on how many you have there and might be some searching questions as to their provenance.

      I hope this helps.

      Have a great day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

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