Banking & Money: how it works in Greece — first-hand

From real experience

• For self-employed individuals applying for a visa to Greece: - **Proof of Income:** While providing income statements for the past two years is ideal, a statement covering the current year (e.g., from March onwards if applying in July) should suffice, especially with a healthy bank balance and transaction history. - **Bank Statements:** Requirements for wet-sealed bank statements vary by region. Check the specific requirements for your application center. Many banks can provide original statements with a physical stamp upon request.
• Russian citizens may encounter difficulties paying for Greek accommodations through platforms like Airbnb using Russian-issued credit cards. This is often due to geo-restrictions. Using a VPN and potentially creating a new account or waiting 24 hours after enabling a VPN might resolve payment issues. The card itself might not be the issue, but rather the account's origin and access method.
• For Russian citizens planning to use cards in Greece: - **UnionPay:** Does not work in Greece. It functions primarily in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. - **Other Russian Cards:** Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard) are generally not accepted. - **Foreign Bank Cards:** Only cards issued by banks outside of Russia are likely to be accepted. Even cards from some neighboring countries might not function. - **Recommendation:** Carry sufficient cash or ensure you have a working card issued by a non-Russian bank.
• When providing financial documentation for a visa application, if you have a large sum of money that was recently deposited, consider the following strategies: 1. Transfer the funds to a separate savings account or fixed deposit. This will prevent recent large transactions from appearing on your main bank statement, which might raise questions. 2. Provide bank statements showing funds from multiple accounts or cards, including a fixed deposit statement. 3. Supplement with a statement of funds movement from your salary account to demonstrate regular income. This multi-pronged approach can help demonstrate sufficient funds without raising suspicion about recent large deposits.
• When applying for a Greek Schengen visa, bank statements and pension fund (PFR) extracts downloaded from banking apps with an electronic digital signature are acceptable; original 'wet' blue stamps are not strictly mandatory if the document contains a valid electronic seal.
• Fuel prices can vary significantly between European countries. Malta generally has lower fuel costs compared to Greece. This difference is often attributed to varying national taxation policies on fuel, with Greece having higher tax rates contributing to its elevated fuel prices. For residents or frequent travelers between these locations, this price disparity can represent a notable difference in living or travel expenses.
• Individuals with a Greek passport looking to obtain a Greek eSIM remotely from Russia for banking and government SMS reception should investigate Greek mobile operators. The key is to find a plan with minimal cost for receiving SMS. Direct remote eSIM activation might be possible, but verification of account registration and SIM card compatibility with banking services is recommended.
• For travelers from Belarus planning to use their bank cards in Greece: Status Bank cards have shown good usability, working in about 99% of shops and cafes, with occasional issues at very small stores or specific vending machines. Mastercard MTBank also reported good performance in May, with minor issues at some retail outlets like Adidas. Confirm whether your card is physical or linked to mobile payment services like Apple Pay, as physical cards generally have broader acceptance.
• For Russian citizens traveling to Greece: - **UnionPay cards:** Generally do not work in Greece. They are primarily functional in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. - **Other Russian Cards:** Most Russian bank cards (including Visa/Mastercard issued in Russia) are not accepted. - **Acceptable Payment Methods:** Only cards issued by foreign banks are likely to work. Even some Belarusian bank cards may not be functional. - **Cash:** It is advisable to carry cash as a primary payment method.

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