- Currency Local
- EUR
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: mygreekexpatjourney.com, thecloudkeys.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Cards are widely accepted in Kalymnos, but remote areas and smaller establishments may only accept cash, so carry backup euros.
- Avoid ATMs at airports and ferries if possible — they often have higher fees. Use bank-operated ATMs (Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank) for best rates.
- Never accept Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) offers at ATMs; always choose to be charged in Euros.
- Tipping culture in Kalymnos mirrors Greece generally: it is appreciated but never obligatory. Locals often simply round up the bill or leave small change.
- Cash is genuinely preferred for tipping in restaurants and tavernas — it guarantees your tip reaches the worker.
- In 2025, Greece eliminated withdrawal fees at most major bank ATMs within the DIAS system, making cash access much cheaper than before.
Tipping Norms
- Payment Method
- Cash tipping is strongly preferred and ensures the money reaches the staff directly. Card tipping is possible but less reliable for ensuring staff receive it.
- General Approach
- Tipping is appreciated but never mandatory. Greeks receive regular wages and do not rely on tips like in the US.
- Currency Notes
- Use €1, €2, and €5 notes for tipping; €1–€2 euro coins are appreciated. Avoid using foreign coins (they cannot be exchanged and may be offensive).
Taxis
- If Tipping
- Round to the nearest Euro or leave €1–€2 on top of the fare if you wish
- Expectation
- Not expected or required, especially outside Athens and major tourist areas
Hotels
- Porters
- €1.00
- Concierge
- €5.00
For services beyond basic information
- Housekeeping
- €1.00
Tour Guides
- Full Day Tour
- €50
- Half Day Tour
- €20
- Description
- Tour guides should be tipped, as they must have archaeology or history degrees plus a 2-year master's-level guiding course
Cafes And Bars
- Table Service
- If you receive table service, round up or leave 5–10%
- Counter Service
- No tip expected when ordering at the counter
- Standard Practice
- Tipping is less common than in restaurants
Restaurants And Tavernas
- Examples
- If your bill is €28, rounding to €30 is sufficient; for €35, leaving €40 shows appreciation for good service
- Service Charge
- Check your receipt for 'service included' — if present, additional tipping is not necessary
- Standard Practice
- 5–10% tip or simply rounding up the bill is customary
Currency Local
EUR
ATM Information
- Pin Requirements
- ATMs accept 4-digit PINs only; no letters or longer PINs are supported
- Cash Availability
- ATMs in smaller islands and remote areas may run out of cash; carry backup cash when traveling to less touristy areas
- Withdrawal Limits
- Daily limits typically €600–€900 at Greek ATMs, though your home bank's limit (often €500) may be the limiting factor
- Foreign Card Considerations
- Using a foreign card at Greek ATMs may incur fees of €2–€4 per withdrawal from your home bank. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and choose to be charged in Euros for better rates.
Card Acceptance
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted
- Plus and Cirrus cards accepted at most
- American Express has limited acceptance
- Discover cards rarely accepted
Fees Greek ATMs
- Third Party ATMs
- €1.50
- Notes
- Fees at third-party/independent ATMs (like Euronet, commonly found at airports) are capped at €1.50. Your home bank may still charge foreign transaction fees or cash advance interest.
- Description
- As of 2025, Greece introduced zero withdrawal fees through most of the main ATM network (DIAS interbank system)
Card Acceptance
- Widely Accepted
- Yes
- Notes
- Cards are widely accepted in Kalymnos, though small cafes, street vendors, and remote areas may prefer or only accept cash. Contactless payments are common in urban areas.
Less Common
- American Express
- Discover
Major Networks
- Visa
- Mastercard
Banking
- Online Options
- Limited; Eurobank offers some remote onboarding services, but most banks require in-person visit
- Minimum Deposit
- €150
- Operating Hours
- 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM Monday–Friday (Fridays close 30 minutes earlier); some larger banks may have extended hours
- Processing Time
- 7-10 business days
- Account Opening Process
- Requires in-person visit to bank branch
- Special Note
- Most Greek banks require AFM for account opening; for non-Greek residents, must obtain AFM through local tax office first. Some banks may require notarized/translated documents.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- AFM (Greek tax identification number, Arithmo Forologiko Mitro)
- Proof of address (utility bill)
- Proof of income (payslips or employment letter)
Major Banks Available
- Piraeus Bank
- Alpha Bank
- Eurobank
- National Bank of Greece
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.
- 1.mygreekexpatjourney.com
- 2.thecloudkeys.com
- 3.twoticketsanywhere.com
- 4.gowithgeorgia.com
- 5.uniquegreektours.com
- 6.greeking.me
- 7.radicalstorage.com
- 8.celebritycruises.com
- 9.takemetogreece.com
- 10.quickwhittravel.com
- 11.seekinplaces.com
- 12.santorinisecrets.com
- 13.realgreekexperiences.com
- 14.talesblog.com
- 15.tradingeconomics.com
- 16.kalymnos-guide.gr
- 17.vresnow.gr
- 18.en.protothema.gr
- 19.mygreekexpatjourney.com
- 20.realgreekexperiences.com
- 21.vrisko.gr
- 22.moneyswapp.com
More About Kalymnos
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.