Greece Currency Guide: Euro, Exchange Rates & Money Tips

Greece uses the euro as its official currency. The country adopted the euro on January 1, 2001 as part of the eurozone, replacing the drachma at a fixed conversion rate of 340.75 drachmas to one euro. Physical euro banknotes and coins entered circulation on January 1, 2002. The euro is issued by the European Central Bank in Frankfurt and comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euro banknotes, though the 500 euro note was discontinued in 2019 and is no longer printed. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent pieces plus 1 and 2 euro coins. Greek euro coins feature distinctive national designs on one side including representations from ancient Greek culture, modern Greek history, and maritime themes while maintaining the common European side on the reverse.

Cash remains more prevalent in Greece than in many other European Union countries. Many smaller tavernas, family-run shops, street vendors, and businesses outside major tourist areas operate on a cash-only basis. The Greek government has attempted to reduce cash transactions through legislation requiring businesses above certain revenue thresholds to accept card payments, part of efforts to combat tax evasion and increase transparency in the informal economy. A 2020 law mandated that businesses with annual revenue exceeding 10,000 euros must accept card payments. Despite these measures, cash transactions still account for a substantial portion of consumer spending in Greece compared to northern European countries.

ATMs are widely available throughout Greece in cities, towns, and tourist areas. Most ATMs accept international cards including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Cirrus network cards. Daily withdrawal limits typically range from 400 to 600 euros depending on the issuing bank and the cardholder's bank. Greek banks charge fees for international card withdrawals ranging from 2 to 5 euros per transaction, in addition to any fees charged by the cardholder's home bank. ATMs are less common on smaller islands with populations under 5,000 residents, and some remote mountain villages may have no ATM access. During the Greek financial crisis from 2015, capital controls limited ATM withdrawals to 60 euros per day per card for several months, though these restrictions were fully lifted by September 2019.

Credit cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, international chain stores, car rental agencies, museums, and businesses in Athens, Thessaloniki, and major tourist destinations. Visa and Mastercard have the widest acceptance. American Express has more limited acceptance, typically only at larger establishments and hotels. Many small family businesses, traditional tavernas, local markets, and shops in residential neighborhoods prefer cash or do not have card payment infrastructure. Greek law requires merchants to display whether they accept card payments at the entrance to their establishments. Contactless payment limits in Greece follow European standards, set at 50 euros per transaction without requiring a PIN.

Currency exchange services operate in airports, ports, tourist areas, and city centers. Exchange rates at airports and cruise ports generally carry higher commission fees and less favorable rates than banks or standalone exchange offices in city centers. Banks offer currency exchange services during banking hours, typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with some branches in tourist areas maintaining extended hours. The National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, and Piraeus Bank are the four largest banks operating exchange services. Exchange offices in tourist districts of Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and other popular destinations stay open later, often until 8:00 or 9:00 PM during summer months. Commission fees at exchange offices range from 2 to 5 percent depending on the currency and amount exchanged.

Tipping practices in Greece differ from North American norms. Restaurant bills do not automatically include service charges in most establishments. Leaving 5 to 10 percent of the bill total is considered appropriate in restaurants if service was satisfactory. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change is common in more casual tavernas and cafes. Taxi drivers typically receive rounded-up fares rather than percentage-based tips. Hotel porters receive 1 to 2 euros per bag. Tour guides receive 5 to 10 euros per person for full-day tours and 2 to 5 euros for shorter excursions. No tipping is expected at bars when ordering drinks at the counter, though customers may leave small change.

Consumer prices in Greece are lower than the eurozone average for most categories but higher than in Eastern European countries. According to Eurostat data from 2023, consumer prices in Greece were approximately 12 percent below the European Union average when adjusted for purchasing power. Prices in tourist areas, particularly islands like Mykonos and Santorini, significantly exceed mainland prices. A standard gyros in Athens costs between 2.50 and 4 euros depending on the neighborhood and portion size. A meal at a mid-range taverna in Athens costs approximately 12 to 20 euros per person including a main course, side dish, and drink. Coffee at a traditional kafeneio costs 1.50 to 3 euros, while the same coffee at a trendy cafe in Kolonaki or a tourist area may cost 4 to 6 euros.

Grocery prices in Greece reflect both domestic production and imports. Greek-produced items including olive oil, feta cheese, fruits, and vegetables cost less than imported products. A liter of Greek extra virgin olive oil from a supermarket ranges from 6 to 12 euros depending on quality and brand. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and seasonal produce at street markets cost significantly less than in supermarkets. A kilogram of tomatoes at an Athens farmers market costs approximately 1 to 2 euros. Lidl and Sklavenitis are among the lower-priced supermarket chains. AB Vassilopoulos and Carrefour price higher but offer wider selection of international products.

Public transportation in Athens costs substantially less than private taxis or rental cars. A single ticket on the Athens Metro, buses, or trams costs 1.40 euros and remains valid for 90 minutes including transfers. A five-day unlimited transport pass costs 9 euros. The monthly pass costs 30 euros for all Athens public transport including metro, buses, trams, and suburban railway within the urban zone. Tickets must be validated at the start of each journey. Transportation inspectors conduct random checks and issue fines of 60 times the ticket price to passengers traveling without valid tickets. The fine for traveling without a validated ticket is 84 euros if paid within 10 days, increasing to higher amounts for delayed payment.

Ferry travel between Greek islands varies widely in cost depending on distance, vessel type, and season. A standard economy seat on a ferry from Piraeus to Santorini costs approximately 35 to 50 euros for the seven to eight hour journey on a conventional ferry. The same route on a high-speed catamaran takes four to five hours and costs 60 to 80 euros. Cabin accommodations on overnight ferries add 15 to 40 euros depending on cabin type and number of occupants. Vehicle transport costs additional fees based on vehicle length. A standard car under 4.25 meters costs approximately 40 to 60 euros for the Piraeus to Santorini route. Ferry prices increase during July and August peak season and Greek Orthodox Easter period. Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, and SeaJets operate major routes.

Accommodation costs in Greece span a wide range depending on location, season, and establishment type. Budget hostels in Athens charge 15 to 30 euros per night for dormitory beds. Mid-range hotels in Athens typically cost 60 to 120 euros per night for a double room. Boutique hotels in prime Athens neighborhoods like Plaka or Monastiraki charge 120 to 250 euros per night. On popular islands during July and August, these prices increase substantially. A basic room on Santorini during peak season costs 100 to 200 euros per night, while hotels with caldera views in Oia charge 300 to 800 euros or more per night. Prices on islands drop by 40 to 60 percent in shoulder seasons of May, June, September, and October.

Car rental in Greece costs between 25 and 60 euros per day for a small economy car depending on season, rental duration, and location. Weekly rentals reduce daily rates. International chains including Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise operate throughout Greece, alongside local companies that often offer lower rates. Rental prices include mandatory third-party liability insurance. Additional collision damage waiver insurance adds 10 to 20 euros per day. Drivers must be at least 21 years old for basic vehicles, with higher age requirements of 23 or 25 for larger vehicles and automatics. Most rental agencies charge a young driver surcharge of 10 to 20 euros per day for drivers under 25. Fuel costs approximately 1.80 to 2 euros per liter for unleaded petrol.

Museum and archaeological site entrance fees are modest compared to Western European standards. The Acropolis of Athens charges 20 euros for a standard ticket from April 1 to October 31 and 10 euros during winter months. A combined ticket covering the Acropolis plus six additional archaeological sites in Athens including the Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Theatre of Dionysus, Kerameikos, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Aristotle's Lyceum costs 30 euros in summer and 15 euros in winter. This combined ticket remains valid for five days. The Archaeological Museum of Athens charges 12 euros in summer and 6 euros in winter. The Acropolis Museum charges 10 euros year-round with reduced rates of 5 euros in winter. European Union students under 25 receive free admission to state-run museums and sites. All visitors receive free admission on specific dates including March 25, October 28, and the first Sunday of each month from November through March.

Mobile phone service in Greece operates on GSM and LTE networks. Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, and Wind Hellas are the three major carriers. Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are available at airports, mobile phone shops, and kiosks. A prepaid SIM with 10 to 20 gigabytes of data and limited calling minutes costs approximately 15 to 25 euros. European Union residents benefit from the roam-like-at-home regulation allowing use of their home mobile plans throughout Greece without additional roaming charges. Non-EU visitors face international roaming charges unless they purchase a local SIM or rely on WiFi, which is widely available at hotels, restaurants, and cafes throughout tourist areas.

Value-added tax in Greece is 24 percent on most goods and services, reduced to 13 percent for certain food items, water, energy, and hospitality services, and 6 percent for medicines, books, and newspapers. VAT is included in displayed prices at shops and restaurants. Non-EU visitors can claim VAT refunds on purchases exceeding 50 euros at participating retailers through the Tax Free Shopping system. Refunds require proper documentation at the time of purchase and validation at the airport before departure. The refund process typically returns approximately 17 to 21 percent of the purchase price after administrative fees. Athens International Airport, Thessaloniki Airport, and major ports have VAT refund desks in departure areas.

Banking hours in Greece are generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with some branches maintaining afternoon hours one or two days per week. Banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. Greek banks include National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, and Piraeus Bank. International money transfers into Greek banks typically take two to three business days for SEURAT transfers within Europe. Opening a Greek bank account as a non-resident requires a Greek tax identification number, passport, proof of address, and in many cases a minimum deposit. Some banks require an initial deposit of 100 to 500 euros to open a basic account.

Tourist areas generally price goods and services higher than residential neighborhoods. A 500-milliliter bottle of water costs 0.50 euros in a supermarket, 1 to 1.50 euros at a neighborhood kiosk, and 2 to 4 euros at beach clubs or tourist restaurants. A standard frappe or freddo espresso costs 2.50 to 3.50 euros in most Athens neighborhoods but 5 to 7 euros in Syntagma Square or Plaka. Souvenir shops in tourist districts price items two to three times higher than similar products in residential areas or wholesale districts. Monastiraki Flea Market in Athens offers lower prices than shops in Plaka, particularly for leather goods, textiles, and tourist items.

Haggling is not standard practice in most Greek commercial transactions. Fixed prices apply in supermarkets, chain stores, restaurants, and most shops. Some flexibility exists in tourist markets for bulk purchases or at closing time. Traditional markets selling produce, fish, and meat allow for limited negotiation particularly when buying larger quantities. Rental accommodation booked directly with owners sometimes allows negotiation for extended stays or during off-season periods. Hotels rarely negotiate published rates during peak summer season but may offer discounts for direct bookings during slower periods.

Greek islands with small populations or limited ferry connections often have higher prices for basic goods due to transportation costs. Islands including Amorgos, Symi, Folegandros, and smaller Cycladic islands charge 20 to 40 percent more for groceries and supplies than mainland cities. Islands without natural water sources that rely on transported or desalinated water charge higher rates for bottled water and water-intensive products. Diesel fuel costs 0.10 to 0.20 euros per liter more on small islands than in Athens. Restaurants on remote islands often have limited menus due to supply constraints and charge accordingly.

Payment scams targeting tourists occur in high-traffic areas. Common schemes include unofficial taxi drivers at airports charging inflated flat rates instead of using meters. Licensed Athens taxis are yellow with official taxi signs and meters that must be activated. The meter should show Tariff 1 during daytime within Athens limits and Tariff 2 at night or outside city limits. Fixed fares apply only for specific routes including Athens airport to city center at 38 euros during daytime and 54 euros at night. Some restaurants in heavily touristed areas present different menus with higher prices to tourists or add unauthorized charges to bills. Always verify the menu has prices listed and check the itemized bill before payment.

Counterfeit currency occurs infrequently in Greece but primarily affects high-denomination notes. The most commonly counterfeited notes are 50, 100, and 200 euro denominations. Merchants and banks use ultraviolet lights and feel tests to verify authenticity. Security features on genuine euro notes include watermarks, holograms, raised print, and security threads. When receiving change of large notes, verify security features particularly in crowded tourist areas or when making cash transactions late at night.

Greece maintains a relatively low cost of living compared to other eurozone countries in Western Europe while remaining higher than Bulgaria, Romania, and non-EU Balkan nations. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Athens averages 400 to 700 euros depending on neighborhood and condition. The same apartment outside the center costs 300 to 500 euros. Thessaloniki rental prices run approximately 20 percent lower than Athens. Basic monthly utilities including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for an 85-square-meter apartment average 120 to 180 euros, with significant seasonal variation due to heating and cooling costs.

Pharmacies in Greece sell prescription and over-the-counter medications at prices regulated by the government. Many medications that require prescriptions in other countries are available over the counter in Greek pharmacies. A standard course of amoxicillin antibiotic costs approximately 5 to 8 euros. Common pain relievers including paracetamol and ibuprofen cost 2 to 5 euros for standard packages. Pharmacies display a green cross and operate on a rotating schedule to ensure 24-hour coverage in each area. The daily rotation schedule is posted at each pharmacy entrance and published in local newspapers.

Wine produced in Greece ranges from inexpensive table wines at 4 to 7 euros per bottle to premium labels at 15 to 50 euros or more. Greek wine regions including Santorini, Nemea, and Naoussa produce internationally recognized wines. Assyrtiko from Santorini, Agiorgitiko from Nemea, and Xinomavro from Naoussa represent major indigenous varietals. A bottle of decent Greek wine at a restaurant costs 12 to 25 euros. House wine by the carafe at traditional tavernas costs 6 to 10 euros per liter. Retsina, the traditional resinated white wine, costs 4 to 8 euros per bottle in shops and 8 to 12 euros in restaurants.

Street food provides economical eating options throughout Greek cities. A koulouri, the sesame-covered bread ring sold from street carts, costs 0.50 to 1 euro. Spanakopita or cheese pie from bakeries costs 2 to 3 euros. A portion of grilled corn from beach vendors costs 2 to 3 euros. Vendors selling roasted chestnuts during winter months charge approximately 3 euros for a paper cone. Street food vendors concentrate around metro stations, central squares, and beaches during summer months.