Cards in Greece — debit, credit and prepaid

Greek cards are Visa/Mastercard, contactless by default, and accepted almost everywhere. A debit card comes with your current account; credit cards need approval and carry high interest if you revolve; prepaid cards are a no-credit-check budgeting option. To get a Greek card you first need a Greek account — and that needs an AFM.

Debit card (χρεωστική κάρτα)

the default card issued with a current account, on the Visa or Mastercard network, used for shops, ATMs and online. Some banks issue a “dual” card combining debit and credit functions. This is the card most people actually use day to day.

Credit card (πιστωτική κάρτα)

issued after a credit assessment; can be revolving or charge. Interest is typically high (commonly cited in the low-to-high teens and into the low twenties percent — verify the current rate on the bank’s tariff page before you sign). Useful for cash-flow and travel, but expensive if you carry a balance rather than pay in full.

Prepaid card (προπληρωμένη κάρτα)

reloadable, no credit check, good for budgeting or for people without full account access. Prepaid issuance/maintenance fees were among those cut in the 2025 fee reforms, making these cheaper to hold than before.

Schemes and acceptance

Visa and Mastercard dominate; Maestro is being phased out as legacy. American Express, Diners and Discover are accepted only at some merchants and ATMs; UnionPay, JCB and RuPay are generally not accepted. Card acceptance at the till is now near-universal, reinforced by the mandatory POS / cash-register / myDATA interconnection — though a few very small or older merchants still prefer cash for tiny amounts.

Foreigner lens

a Greek-issued card needs a Greek bank account, which needs an AFM. Until you have one, a foreign card or a neobank card (Wise, Revolut) works fine for spending and ATMs. EU vs non-EU makes no difference to using a card once you hold it — the difference is upstream, at account opening.

How not to get cheated

if you carry a balance, the credit-card interest is where the real cost sits — always check the published rate, not just the headline rewards. For everyday spending a debit card or wallet is free to use; you do not need to pay to hold a basic card.

contactless & Apple/Google Pay · ATM fees in Greece · IRIS instant payments · AFM (tax number)

This is general information, not financial advice. Card terms and interest rates vary by issuer and change — confirm on the bank’s tariff page. WTP Finance is informational only.

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