NewsCase StudiesEvents

Greece updates: advice for UK citizens and businesses

Also in the news...

Foreign travel advice Georgia

Warnings and insurance Still current at: 16 May 2024 Updated: 16 May 2024 Latest update: Information on the political situation across Georgia ('Safety and security' page).

How to market and package ecommerce products for maximum impact

To market and package your ecommerce products for maximum impact, start by understanding your target audience's demographics, passions, and daily struggles. Tailor your product descriptions and packaging to resonate with their identity, making them feel like part of a community.

Foreign travel advice Norway

Warnings and insurance Still current at: 13 May 2024 Updated: 13 May 2024 Latest update: This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.

Guidance Living in Austria

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Austria, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.

Foreign travel advice Sweden

Warnings and insurance Still current at: 13 May 2024 Updated: 13 May 2024 Latest update: Removal of information about Eurovision Song Contest ('Warnings and insurance' and 'Safety and security' pages).

Greece updates: advice for UK citizens and businesses

Back to News

Banking controls have now been introduced in Greece alongside bank holidays which are likely to see banks in Greece closed until at least 6 July (inclusive).

What has happened

A decision has been made by the Greek authorities to introduce restrictions on banking facilities and implement bank holidays.

Banks in Greece have now been closed and are likely to remain closed until the Greek government is in a position to re-open them. A referendum took place on 5 July 2015.

The UK government continues to monitor the situation closely.

What happens next

Contingency plans are already in place and this morning (6 July) the Prime Minister will chair a further meeting to review those plans in light of the result of the Greek referendum.

The Prime Minister already chaired a contingency planning meeting to make sure we are ready to support British tourists and UK nationals – including pensioners – living in Greece, and to protect the British economy and financial system.

The Chancellor has made a statement to the House of Commons,setting out developments so far and the UK’s response.

Travel advice

When travelling outside of the UK, you should take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card).

Visitors to Greece should be aware of the possibility that banking services – including credit card processing and servicing of ATMs – throughout Greece could potentially become limited at short notice.

The Greek government is limiting withdrawals using cards issued by banks in Greece to €60 per day per account. At this time, you can continue to withdraw up to your usual limit using a card issued outside Greece, as long as the ATM has been replenished.

The system for paying with debit and credit cards for retail transactions continues to function.

While banks are closed in Greece and some withdrawals are limited, make sure you take sufficient Euros in cash to cover the duration of your stay, emergencies, unforeseen circumstances and any unexpected delays. Please take appropriate security precautions against theft.

There are currently no restrictions on taking unspent Euros out of Greece at the end of your stay.


You are not logged in!

Please login or register to ask our experts a question.

Login now or register.