Starting Monday, August 12, 2025, a new regulation on bank fees for ATM withdrawals will come into effect, as outlined in an amendment proposed by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis to the bill on the National Customs Code. This reform is expected to mark a significant shift in the banking sector, aiming to reduce costs for citizens and enhance transparency and equal access to cash—particularly in areas with limited ATM availability.
The four key changes taking effect from Monday are:
1. All cash withdrawals from ATMs operated by Greek banks will be free of charge, provided the card was issued by a member bank of ΔΙΑΣ (Interbank Settlement System). This means customers can withdraw cash from any bank’s ATM regardless of ownership without paying a fee.
2. In municipalities where only one ATM exists—whether owned by a bank or an independent provider—withdrawals will be completely free. This provision aims to protect residents of remote or underserved areas from excessive fees.
3. For other cases involving ATMs operated by third-party providers such as Euronet or Cashflex that do not have a corporate partnership with the card issuer, a maximum fee of €1.50 per transaction will be introduced. This puts an end to the previous high fees of €2.50 or even €3.00, which were common in tourist destinations.
4. Finally, the new regulation mandates free balance checks at all ATMs and requires all providers to align their transfer fees with those of banks, eliminating hidden or excessive commissions.
Overall, consumers stand to benefit significantly from this change, especially those living in or visiting remote locations.