Money & Payments in Chania (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Withdraw larger amounts (€100–€200) in fewer transactions to minimize repeated ATM fees.
In Chania, Bank of Chania and Attica Bank ATMs are often fee-free; use these when possible.
Always decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs—let your home bank do the conversion.
ATMs in smaller towns sometimes run out of cash during peak season; plan withdrawals accordingly.
Euros are the only accepted cash currency; other currencies (GBP, USD) will not be accepted by most businesses.
Cash tips are more direct and valued by service staff; carry small bills and coins for this purpose.
Tipping is not obligatory—service charges are already included in most bills. Tip only if service was genuinely good.
Card acceptance is now very high in Chania due to government requirements, but confirm at smaller or family-run establishments before ordering.

Required Documents

Required for in-person signature and identity verification
Document
Valid passport
Personal Tax ID (AFM / Arithmo Forologiko Mitro)
Note
9-digit number obtained from nearest Tax Office. Foreigners typically must obtain this before or upon arrival in Greece.
Proof of address
Note
Utility bill, lease agreement, or rental contract. Foreign documents may require Apostille certification or official translation.
Pay slips, bank statements, employment letter
Document
Proof of income (optional but common)

Major Banks In Greece

National Bank of Greece (NBG)
Branches
1460+ ATMs, 350+ branches nationwide
Piraeus Bank
Branches
1390+ ATMs, 440+ branches nationwide
Eurobank
Branches
920+ ATMs, 300+ branches nationwide
Alpha Bank
Branches
Major presence, second-largest in Greece

Tipping Norms

Taxis: Rounding up the fare or leaving €1–€2 for good service
Hotels: €1–€2 per bag for bellhops; €1–€2 per day on the bedside table or bed for housekeeping
Mandatory: No
Tour Guides: 10–15% of tour cost for paid tours; €5–€20 per person for pay-what-you-feel tours
General Practice: Tipping is appreciated but never obligatory. Service charges are typically included in bills, and workers earn regular wages.
Preferred Method: Cash is strongly preferred for tipping to ensure service staff receive the full amount directly without processing delays.
Cover Charge Note: Some restaurants charge a small 'cover charge' (typically €1–€2 per person) for bread and water. This is separate from tipping.

Cafes And Bars

Bar Service: No tip needed, though a tip jar may be present
Drinks Per Order: €1 per drink or round up when settling the tab
Full Table Service: 5% or rounding up is appreciated

Restaurants And Tavernas

Casual: Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is standard
Upscale: 10–15% for fine dining or exceptional service

ATM Information

Availability: ATMs are abundant in Chania's city center and tourist areas, available 24/7
Pin Requirement: ATMs require 4-digit numeric PINs only; if your PIN contains letters or exceeds 4 digits, update it before arrival.
Card Compatibility: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; some ATMs accept Plus and Cirrus; American Express less common
Bank Recommendations: Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, and Attica Bank generally have lower or no fees for foreign cardholders. Bank of Chania has been reported as fee-free. Prefer bank-affiliated ATMs over standalone machines.
Dual Currency Warning: If offered a choice between local currency (EUR) or your home currency, always select EUR to avoid poor ATM conversion rates. Decline 'dynamic currency conversion' prompts.

Withdrawal Fees

High Fee: €2.50
Standard Fee: €1.50
Fee Note: Most Greek ATMs charge €1.50–€2.50 per transaction. Avoid 'tourist ATMs' and Euronet machines which charge significantly higher fees and poor exchange rates.

Card Acceptance

Recommendation: Carry both Visa and Mastercard for redundancy; not all places accept American Express.
Widely Accepted: Yes
Notes: Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted across Chania at restaurants, hotels, shops, and commercial areas. American Express has more limited acceptance. POS machines are common but still confirm card acceptance before ordering at smaller establishments.

Fees

No opening fee. Transaction fees vary by bank (ATM withdrawals outside network typically €2–€3.75, direct debits, standing orders, transfers incur small charges). Compare before opening.

Account Types

Personal checking/current accounts standard; business accounts require separate business entity documentation.

Process Notes

Substantial paperwork required to assure creditworthiness. Foreigners without AFM typically cannot open accounts fully online; in-person visit is standard. Some documentation may require notarization or Greek translation. Process normally takes 1 hour on-site after preliminary preparation.

Additional Notes

A bank account is essential for working with Greek employers, purchasing/renting property, managing utility payments (electricity, water, phone), and paying real estate transfer tax. Non-residents can open accounts but must visit in person.

Cooperative Bank Chania

Name: Cooperative Bank of Chania
Details: Local cooperative bank with personal and business accounts. Offers checking accounts, deposit products, loan services. Has eBanking platform.
Features: 24/7 ATM access, VISA debit card, standing orders, bill payment services, web-based transactions

Account Opening Overview

Physical presence required. Banks operate 8 AM–2:30 PM weekdays (close 2 PM Fridays). No account opening fee; minimum deposits typically €50–€300 (average €150).

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Chania

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Chania

Good to know

Good to Know

Required Documents

Required for in-person signature and identity verification

Personal Tax ID (AFM / Arithmo Forologiko Mitro)

Proof of address

Pay slips, bank statements, employment letter