Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in Greece: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

08.09.25

Read time 2 minutes

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Greece? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

Greece, with a population of around 10.38 million people, has a GDP of approximately 267.35 billion, making it the 51st largest economy in the world. The official currency of Greece is the Euro (EUR).

The economy is dominated by the service sector, particularly tourism and shipping, with a smaller industrial and agricultural base. As a member of the European Union and the Eurozone, its economic relationships are primarily with other EU countries like Germany and Italy.


Country	Greece
Population	10.38 million
GDP (USD)	267.35 billion
Global Ranking	51st
Currency	Euro (EUR)

What is the main payment method in Greece?

The use of debit and credit cards in Greece surged following the implementation of capital controls and legal requirements for businesses to accept cards, making contactless payments the current standard. However, physical cash in Euros is still very common for smaller day-to-day expenses and in more traditional establishments like tavernas. For paying bills and making online purchases, direct bank transfers are a frequently used method.

How to pay in Greece

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Greece.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
Cards (Visa, Mastercard)	As a modern Eurozone economy, debit and credit cards are the primary and most widely accepted payment method for the majority of transactions, both online and in-person.¹	Online/in-person
Cash (Euro)	Cash remains a very popular payment method in Greece and is used frequently for daily expenses, especially at smaller businesses, cafes, and tavernas.²	in-person
Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)	Digital wallets linked to payment cards are growing in popularity for convenient contactless payments at the point of sale.³	Online/in-person
Bank Transfers (IRIS Payments)	The IRIS online payments system allows for real-time, account-to-account payments and is a popular option for P2P and online payments.⁴ SEPA transfers are standard for bills.⁵	Online

Is PayPal available in Greece?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in Greece.⁶

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/a%3E for details.

Sources:

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.