Tourists in Greece report problems changing cash

Tourists enjoying the Greek sunshine while the country’s fate hangs in the balance in Brussels say they are having stock up on euros in cash before departure and report some issues changing British pounds at banks.

Alan Seabury, from Sale, holidaying on Naxos, said the island’s bank had refused to exchange pounds for euros.

“We went to the main bank, Eurobank, to change our pounds into euros, but they refused to take the English pound. They said they were instructed not to change money,” he said, adding that he had also experienced card payments becoming less widely accepted, though cash machines were still working.

“In all my years of travelling I have never come across anyone refusing the English pound. It was a strange sensation,” he added.

His partner, Janet Taylor, from Mossley in Greater Manchester, said the couple had flown to Athens before four weeks of island-hopping. “Some people report no problem with cards, some have had them refused,” she said. “Some ATMs are working. some empty. In reality the picture is mixed.

“I have been travelling around the Little Cyclades so I am not sure if things are different on the larger islands.”

Seabury said the island’s residents did not appear to be unduly worried about the crisis: “They shrug their shoulders, smile and give a resigned, pained look.” But after having few problems for the past month, he said he had not been able to change any money when he arrived in Naxos. 

Several tourists said on social media they had been advised to use small denomination notes to help locals who may have difficulties giving change. But others noted that ATMs in the capital were dispensing just €50 notes, not €20s, meaning locals are unable to take out their full €60 daily allowance.