Electricity
The electricity voltage in Greece is 220 V/50 Hz and the plugs are of type F. To avoid the risk of a short circuit, be sure to have transformers and adaptors for your electronic devices or ensure that your chosen accommodate will provide you with them.
Currency
As a member state of the European Union and the Eurozone, Greece uses the EU’s common currency, the euro (€).
Cash can be obtained from:
All banks that accept currency exchange (Monday-Thursday: 8am-2.30pm & Friday: 8am-1.30pm, closed on weekends and public holidays).
Exchange offices situated in airport, central ports, big cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.
The ATMs of the banks that accept your credit card.
Shop Opening Hours
Although the opening hours of shops vary from region to region, in large cities they are usually as follows:
Downtown shops, department stores and supermarkets: 9am-9pm, except on Saturdays, when they close at 8pm.
Local shops: 9am-2.30pm & 5.30-8.30pm (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and 9am-3pm (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
Shops are closed on Sundays, except for local mini-markets, tobacco shops and street kiosks, some of which operate almost 24 hours a day, including Sundays, especially in tourist areas.
Public Holidays
National celebrations and holidays
New Year’s Day: January 1
Theophania/Epiphany: January 6
Ash Monday, the 41st day before Orthodox Easter (movable holiday)
Independence Day: March 25
Orthodox Easter Sunday and Monday: Movable holiday
Labor Day: May 1
Assumption of the Virgin Mary: August 15
National Holiday: October 28
Christmas holidays: December 25 & 26
Smoking
Legislation in Greece prohibits smoking in workplaces, transport stations, taxis and ferries, as well as in all enclosed public spaces. Smoking is also prohibited in large entertainment venues, such as restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs. Many, however, have smoking areas.
Time Zone
Greece belongs to the Eastern Europe Time Zone and local time is identified as GMT +2.
Daylight Savings (DST) occurs on the last Sunday of March, when clocks move one hour ahead. They move one our back on the last Sunday of October.
Emergency Numbers
Ambulance service: 166
SOS doctors: 1016
Duty hospitals and clinics: 1434
Pharmacies: 1434
Poisoning first aid: 210 77 93 777
European emergency number: 112
Fire service: 199
Police: 100
Tourism Police: 171
Health & Safety
Prior to your visit to Greece, prepare for the event that you need medical care:
If your country of origin is an EU member-state make sure you are a holder of the European Health Card (EHIC) or any other legal EU document issued by your nation’s social security agency. In such cases, the necessary treatment in Greece is provided by:
- IKA (Social Security Institute) Health Units (polyclinics) or doctors’ clinics in the region of travel;
- Regional clinics (formerly rural clinics) or the Health Centers of the National Health System
- The outpatient departments of hospitals
If your country of origin is not an EU member-state, make sure you have consulted your social security agency for information before travelling.