Can I use my credit card in Greece?

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, you’re in for a treat. The cradle of Western civilization has history and culture, rugged beauty and isolated beaches. But you may be wondering whether you can use your credit card while you’re there.

You can use your credit card in Greece. But there are a few more things to know about using your card while traveling.

What you’ll learn:

• Credit cards are widely accepted in Greece.
• Depending on your card, there may be useful benefits to using it on your trip, including travel-related protections and airport lounge access.
• Some fees may apply when using some credit cards abroad. Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction or currency conversion fees. View important rates and disclosures.

It’s easy and convenient to use a credit card in Greece, especially in the more popular destinations. Cards linked to the Visa® and Mastercard® payment networks are the most widely accepted.

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, there are a few things to keep in mind when using your credit card.

• Chip-and-PIN cards are standard in Greece. Greek cards generally use chip-and-PIN technology. This is where cardholders authenticate their transactions with a personal identification number (PIN) at checkout. In the U.S., chip-and-signature cards are more common. You can check with your card issuer to see if they can assign a PIN if you want one, but you shouldn’t need one. Most payment terminals now accept both types of cards. 
• There may be fees associated with using some credit cards overseas. Some card issuers add foreign transaction fees—usually 1% to 3%—to your purchases in Greece. Some card issuers pass a currency conversion fee on to their customers. And if you choose to pay in dollars rather than euros at the point of purchase—an option called dynamic currency conversion—you may get charged for that too. Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees or pass on currency conversion fees. View important rates and disclosures.
• Some card issuers require notice of travel. Some card issuers still require you to provide a travel notice if you go overseas. Capital One no longer requires this. But it still recommends updating your contact information in case it needs to reach you about suspected fraud.
• You can go contactless. Digital wallets like Apple Pay® or Google Pay® and contactless are common payment methods in Greece.

It’s common to use both cash and credit cards while traveling internationally. Although most places in Greece will take credit cards, there may be some situations where cash could come in handy. So it’s a good idea to have some euros on hand as well as your credit card.

Wherever you are, there are advantages to using a credit card over cash. But here are some ways you might benefit from bringing a credit card to Greece:

• Security: Credit cards can come with security features that can help you notice and prevent unauthorized use. For example, Capital One sends fraud alerts if it detects potential suspicious activity and lets you lock your card if it gets lost or stolen. 
• Rewards: If you have a rewards credit card, you could be earning rewards with each eligible purchase in Greece.
• Travel protections: Some credit cards provide benefits that are particularly useful for travelers. For example, eligible Capital One cardholders get travel protections like lost luggage reimbursement and perks like complimentary access to airport lounges.
• Digital account management: The ability to manage your accounts digitally could be even more helpful in Greece. The Capital One Mobile app can help you keep an eye on your spending while you’re away.
• Favorable exchange rate: Many credit cards will have a better currency exchange rate than if you exchange American cash for euros when you arrive.

No matter what you have planned for your trip to Greece, your credit card should generally be able to cover it. Still, it might be a good idea to also have some euros handy in case some vendors only take cash.

Do you have the best credit card to suit your travel needs? You can compare Capital One travel credit cards to make sure you’re getting the most out of your card. And before you leave, check out these tips for using a card internationally.