With the economic situation in Greece worsening, tourists who plan to visit the country this summer are being urged to bring along enough cash to cover expenses for the duration of their trip. Banks in the country are currently closed and won’t reopen until July 5 at the earliest. However, there is no guarantee that they will open on this date or that they won’t have to close again at a later point.
Locals have had withdrawal limits placed on their accounts; they are only allowed to take €60 a day out of cash machines. Even though this ruling doesn’t apply to overseas registered accounts, cash machines could run out of money before the banks reopen. Therefore, you should ensure that you have enough money with you on your vacation to cover you for all eventualities.
Instead of relying on the ability to access the cash machine network or use your cards, those planning a vacation to the mainland as well as those who have booked short-term rentals on one of the islands, such as Zakynthos and Crete, should bring enough euros to pay for everything. This includes food and drink, excursions, emergencies, and any other unforeseen circumstances.
Despite the closing of the banks, the tourist industry in Greece should be operating normally otherwise. However, tourists might notice some disruptions from protests, especially in the major cities. The best advice to avoid any disturbances is to stick to the main tourist sites and stay away from large gatherings.