Starting Monday, August 11, cash withdrawals from ATMs operated by Greek banks will be completely free of charge, following a new regulation introduced by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance. The move marks a major shift in the country’s banking policy, aimed at eliminating unjust and excessive banking fees for citizens.
The regulation, which was passed on July 25, also establishes a national cap on fees for third-party ATM providers. Under the new rules, any withdrawal from ATMs not owned by the customer’s bank will be subject to a maximum fee of €1.50.
Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis stated, “This is a socially minded intervention, demonstrating that the state responds directly to the needs of its citizens. We are eliminating unfair and excessive charges, ensuring that every person, no matter where they live, has free access to their money.”
What the new regulation includes:
- Zero fees for cash withdrawals across all banks participating in the DIAS interbank network.
- No charges for third-party ATM providers that are directly or indirectly affiliated with the customer’s bank.
- No fees from third-party ATMs in local communities where only one ATM is available.
- €1.50 fee cap on all other third-party ATM withdrawals nationwide.
- Free balance inquiries for all cardholders, regardless of issuing bank or ATM provider.
- Flat €0.50 fee for money transfers via digital channels (web, mobile, internet banking) from third-party providers — aligned with fees charged by banks.
- Legal guarantee that no bank can charge customers for cash withdrawals.
The government highlights that the new policy directly addresses longstanding demands from Greek citizens for fairer and more transparent banking fees.
