Money & Payments in Zante (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Zante has currency exchange kiosks readily available, as it's a popular island. Avoid exchanging at airports or tourist-area offices—banks and ATMs offer better rates.
Contactless card payments are common in modern establishments; maximum limit per transaction is €50.
Many nomads find a mix of €20–€50 in small bills/coins, one primary card (Visa/Mastercard), and one backup card the safest approach.
Greek businesses are legally required to accept card payments, but smaller vendors may claim machines are broken or offline. Having cash ensures you're never stuck.
Tipping is optional but appreciated, especially for good service. Allocate €10–€20 per day to your tipping budget depending on dining frequency.

Major Banks Available

Piraeus Bank
Features
24-hour service line available
Services
Current accounts, savings accounts, debit/credit cards, investment options
Account Opening
In-person visit typically required; English-speaking staff available
Branches Greece
440+ branches, 1390+ ATMs across Greece
Alpha Bank
Features
Mobile app available in English
Services
Current accounts, savings accounts, debit/credit cards, investment solutions
Account Opening
Online account opening available for residents with Greek ID; non-residents typically require in-person visit
Branches Greece
299 branches, 860+ ATMs across Greece
Eurobank
Features
Ranked best bank in Greece 2022 by Global Finance; strong focus on foreign clients
Services
Current accounts, savings accounts, debit/credit cards, digital banking
Account Opening
Remote account opening available for some international customers without in-person visit
Branches Greece
299 branches, 920+ ATMs across Greece
National Bank of Greece (NBG)
Features
Fee-free basic current account; can open online or in-branch
Services
Current accounts, savings accounts, debit/credit cards, investment options
Account Opening
Online account opening available for existing digital banking users
Branches Greece
500+ branches across Greece

Account Opening Process

Timeline: 1-3 hours in-branch for signature and document verification; may require 5+ business days if using agent
Minimum Deposit: €150
Typical average; ranges from €50-300 depending on bank and account type
Account Opening Fee: €0.00
Generally no opening fee; account maintenance may be free or have monthly charges
In Person Requirement: Most banks require in-person visit for signature sample and final activation, though some allow partial application online
ATM Withdrawal Fee Cross Bank: €2.50
Charged when using ATM of different bank; some banks charge €3.75 for cross-network withdrawals

Required Documents

Valid passport or EU ID
AFM (Arithmo Forologiko Mitro - Greek tax ID number, obtainable at local tax office)
Proof of address (utility bill or rental contract)
Income verification (payslip, bank statement, tax notice, or employment certificate)

ATM Fees

Previous Rates: Before August 2025, typical ATM fees ranged €1.50–€2.50 per transaction at bank machines and €2–€5 at independent/tourist ATMs.
Current Policy: As of August 2025, Greek bank-operated ATMs charge zero fees for cash withdrawals. Third-party ATMs are capped at €1.50 per withdrawal.
Home Bank Fees: Your own bank may still charge foreign transaction or currency conversion fees. Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at the ATM and choose to pay in EUR instead.
ATM Availability: ATMs are readily available in Zante Town and tourist areas. Use ATMs inside bank branches (Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece) rather than standalone tourist ATMs.
Card Acceptance At ATM: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted. American Express rarely accepted. Most ATMs accept 4-digit PINs only.

Currency

Local: EUR
Local Name: Euro

Tipping Norms

Taxis: Round up fare to nearest euro or 5–10% of total. Cash only preferred; most Greek taxis historically don't accept cards.
Mandatory: No
Hotel Staff: €1–€2 per day for housekeeping; €1–€2 per bag for porters. Tipping appreciated but not expected.
Payment Method: Cash is strongly preferred for tipping to ensure the server receives it directly. Card tipping is possible at larger establishments but may be pooled among staff.
Cultural Note: Tipping is not mandatory in Greece but is welcomed and appreciated, especially when paying in cash.

Bars Cafes

Coffee Or Snack: No tip required, but €0.50–€1 coin in the tip jar is appreciated
Drinks Per Order: €1 per drink or round up when leaving
Full Service Seating: 5% appreciated

Restaurants

Fine Dining: 10–15% for good service
Casual Taverna: 5–10% or round up the bill to the nearest euro

Tour Guides

Group Tours: €2–€5 per person
Private Full Day: €20–€30 per person
Private Half Day: €10–€20 per person

Card Acceptance

Details: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Zante's main tourist areas, hotels, shops, and restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are the most reliably accepted. American Express is less commonly accepted.
Widespread: Yes
Limitations: Smaller businesses, family-run tavernas, local markets, and remote areas may still operate on a cash-only basis or have unreliable card machines. It's advisable to check before ordering.

Banking Hours

Monday-Friday 08:00-14:30; Friday closes at 14:00. Larger branches may have extended hours or Saturday service.

General Notes

Non-resident account opening is possible but more challenging due to enhanced due diligence for anti-money laundering compliance. AFM is essential but can be obtained on-site. Eurobank and Piraeus Bank generally most accommodating to international clients.

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 Zante

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Zante