While I generally prefer to sit in the comfort of a train car and allow the train engineer to do the driving, my upcoming trip to Meteora and Delphi will put me behind the wheel of a rented car. The last time I rented a car in Europe (in France) I ran into a problem of gas stations/fuel pumps that only accepted credit cards and that could not process US-issued credit cards or debit cards. Can anyone offer any insights on using American credit cards at gas stations in Greece? Thanks.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
8021 posts
We used to have credit card issues in France at gas stations. Lately, we haven't had problems with credit cards in Europe (including the same French gas stations) That would include smaller cities in Portugal, Italy and Spain, no issues. Unfortunately, I can't speak to Greece.
We had some issues two years in New Zealand and it was related to PINs. Fortunately, they speak English and we were told of a "work around". Plus, we decided to only used manned gas stations during the day.
I think the issues we had in France related to PINs as well. So the only help I can provide you is to see which of your cards have PIN capability and set up PINs if you need to.
Posted by
Athens, Greece
39 posts
Visa & Mastercard should be no problem but take note that American Express is not widely accepted anywhere in Greece.
Posted by
Indiana
1177 posts
We had no issues using our Visa at the gas stations in Greece.
Posted by
270 posts
Travelled the Peloponnese in September 2025 in a rental, and had no issues with our US credit card at gas stations. Tap and go.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
9315 posts
For "Pay-at-the-pump" the issue you may have (and likely did in France) is that your card lacks a PIN (you may have one, but for ATM cash advances only).
If the pump has been updated to Tap-To-Pay, then your Visa or Mastercard should work, but maybe only up to 50 euro.
Safest would be to chose a station that has a manned pay counter, pay inside.
Posted by
East Anglia, UK
13 posts
There are no self service fuel stations in Greece, so the "pay at pump" issue cannot arise. As others have said, any Visa or MasterCard with a four digit PIN will be accepted in Greece.
Posted by
15 posts
Just got home from 2 week driving trip in Greece. As mentioned in an earlier response all gas is pumped for you in Greece. No problems paying with a Visa or Mastercard; no pin needed. Toll roads will accept tap and pay visa or mastercard credit cards also. Fees at the monasteries in Meteora are €5 each a person and only cash is accepted as payment.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
4 posts
Folks, this is all extremely helpful. Thank you.
Posted by
281 posts
Have traveled to Greece islands in 2023, 2024 & 2025. Rented a car in every Greek island we visited including Sifnos, Folegandros, Milos, Rhodes, Symi, well, we didn’t rent a car in Symi, we rented e-bikes, but we never had an issue using our American issue credit or debit cards at gas stations. Some were self service, like the ones in Sifnos, and others were full service, like the one we stopped at on Rhodes to fill up before returning our €38 rental. It was always tap and go with pin. My bank always refunds my foreign ATM fees.
Posted by
281 posts
@JBMED-“ There are no self service fuel stations in Greece, so the "pay at pump" issue cannot arise”
When we were in Sifnos in 2023 I filled up my rental and it was self service