Money & Payments in Santorini (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Carry €20–€50 in small bills (€5, €10, €20 notes) at all times for smaller vendors, taxis, and public transport; €100 notes are often rejected by small businesses
Notify your home bank before traveling to prevent card blocks on foreign transactions
ATMs at Santorini airport may have higher fees; withdraw cash at ATMs in town centers like Fira or Oia when possible
Bus payment requires cash or pre-purchased tickets; card machines on buses are unreliable
Tax driver preference for cash is strong; always ask if card payment is available before entering a taxi
When using ATMs, always choose to be charged in EUR rather than accepting dynamic currency conversion offers, which result in poor exchange rates
High-end restaurants often include service charges that may exceed 10%; always check your bill before adding a tip
Contactless (tap) payment is increasingly available at major establishments and can reduce your reliance on carrying exact change
Exchange foreign currency before arriving or withdraw from Greek bank ATMs; exchange offices and airport facilities offer less favorable rates

Bank Account Setup

Minimum Deposit: €150
Processing Time: 7-10 days after document submission
Requirement For Foreigners: Physical in-person visit required; foreigners without EU residence permit face more stringent due diligence checks
Special Note: Non-EU citizens may face account refusal without explanation; EU citizens have easier access

Documents Required

Valid passport and secondary ID
Greek tax identification number (AFM) or non-resident tax ID from home country
Proof of address (utility bill or property lease)
Proof of income (payslips, employment letter, or bank reference)
Some banks may require certified/notarized translations from your home country's consulate

Major Banks In Santorini

National Bank of Greece
Location
Fira
Services
Current and savings accounts, debit/credit cards, currency exchange, English-language support
Alpha Bank
Location
Fira and Fira-Pyrgos Highway
Services
Retail banking, current accounts, debit/credit cards, mobile app (myAlpha) with English interface
Eurobank
Location
Fira
Services
Retail banking, current accounts, digital options, English-language support
Piraeus Bank
Location
Fira and Fira-Pyrgos Highway
Services
Current and foreign currency accounts, credit/debit cards, English-language support
Agricultural Bank
Location
Fira
Services
Banking services

ATM Fees

Bank Card Fees: Your home bank may charge additional fees for foreign ATM withdrawals; check with your bank before traveling
Current Regulations: As of 2025, Greece reformed ATM withdrawal fees: bank ATMs within the DIAS interbank system charge zero fees; third-party ATMs are capped at €1.50 per withdrawal
Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning: When prompted at ATM, always select 'Decline Conversion' or 'Charge in EUR' to avoid poor exchange rates
Legacy Fees Note: Older sources report €1.50–€2.50 per transaction at major bank ATMs and €2–€4 at third-party ATMs; however, the 2025 regulations significantly reduced these costs

ATM Access

Major Banks: Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, and National Bank of Greece operate ATMs across the island
Availability: ATMs are widely available throughout Santorini, particularly in tourist areas like Fira and Oia
Card Types Accepted: Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express and Discover cards are rarely accepted

Tipping Norms

Cultural Context: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Greece; workers receive wages and do not rely on tips as primary income. Gratuities are seen as a gesture of appreciation for good service. Santorini, as a premium tourist destination, has higher tipping expectations than rural areas, reflecting both international visitor norms and the island's luxury positioning

Bars

Guideline: 10% tip on a running tab is appropriate; €1 per drink when paying drink-by-drink
Santorini Note: High-end bars and beach clubs expect more generous tipping, particularly during peak season

Taxis

Guideline: Rounding up the fare to the nearest euro or adding €1–€2 for good service; tipping is not obligatory
Note: Drivers generally appreciate rounding but do not expect large tips

Hotel Staff

Porters: €1–€2 per piece of luggage; on steep island stairs (common in Santorini), €5–€10 is appropriate
Housekeeping: €1–€2 per day (leave in an envelope marked for cleaning staff)

Tour Guides

Guideline: €10–€15 per person for guided tours, or 10–15% of tour cost for good service
Santorini Activities: Private sunset cruises and specialized tours often expect €15–€20 per person for crew/guide gratuities

Restaurants Tavernas

Standard Guideline: 5–10% of the bill for regular restaurants and tavernas; 15–20% for fine dining establishments with premium views
Service Charge Check: Always verify whether a service charge is already included on the bill; if included, additional tipping is optional unless service was exceptional
Santorini Note: High-end and caldera-view restaurants often expect 15–20% due to Santorini's luxury positioning as a destination

CaféS And Casual Eateries

Guideline: No tip required for counter service (coffee, snacks); rounding up the bill or leaving a coin is appreciated but not expected
Description: Casual establishments do not have a strong tipping culture

Card Acceptance

Visa Mastercard: Widely accepted at most shops, restaurants, and hotels
American Express: Limited acceptance; many establishments do not accept American Express due to higher transaction fees
Practical Caveat: Smaller, family-run establishments and some local vendors may prefer or only accept cash, particularly for lower-value transactions
Chip Pin Contactless: Chip and PIN technology is standard; contactless payment is increasingly available
Description: Card acceptance is widespread in Santorini, especially in tourist-focused establishments and major businesses

ATM Notes

Accept Visa and Mastercard; some charge international transaction fees; dispense EUR only

Bank Hours

Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–2:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM–2:00 PM

ATM Availability

Widely available throughout Santorini, particularly in Fira, Oia, and Kamari

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 Santorini

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Santorini