Looking to carry out an international money transfer to Greece from UK? Getting professional advice from a currency transfer broker could mean the difference in you gaining a higher currency exchange rate when purchasing Euro's. Even sending regular payments to Greece you now have the facility to book your exchange rate in advance which could secure you a better rate of exchange and reduce the risk of currency fluctuations.
Obtaining the best exchange rate when purchasing a property in Greece or simply making an international money transfer to Greece could mean the difference of you securing a 3% better foreign exchange rate than your bank.
Currency in Greece:
Greece currency is the Euro. The Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Avoiding high street banks will improve your exchange rate to Greece and banks often charge additional service charges. One of the main issues with using a bank is that you need to have a bank account with them and in most cases bank counter staff are inexperienced when it comes to giving you advice when sending money to Greece.
Iban Numbsfers - Swift and BIC Codes
Typical time for transfer to arrive: Either same day (Swift Payment) or 2 days (SEPA Payment) when sent through Currency Index
Greek bank charges: Usually none, although use a SEPA payment to make sure
Payment details needed:
Name of Beneficiary (and address if you have it)
Name of Greek Bank (and address if you have it)
IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
BIC (Bank Identifier Code) or SWIFT code
The IBAN includes various codes, like your branch and account numbers, and is the standard system for sending Euro payments across Europe. Greek IBANs have 27 characters, starting with 'GR' followed by 25 characters, and can usually be found on your bank statement or other paperwork, along with your BIC or SWIFT code.
There are further techical details below, although the Currency Index payments team will take care of ensuring payment details are in the correct format before initiating any payments on your behalf.
B = Bank Code & Branch Number
C = Account No.
k = Check Digits
Greek BIC or SWIFT code Format: BBBBCCLL or BBBBCCLLDDD
B = Bank Code (Only Letters)
C = Country Code 'GR' (Only Letters)
L = Location Code (Letters & Digits)
D = Branch Code Optional ('XXX' for Head Office - Letters & Digits
Transfer Money to Greece
With the foreign exchange companies listed on our site you will get a dedicated account manager to best advice you when doing money transfer giving you crucial market information before you make a decision in timing. Using our website you can see alternatives to banks with a cheaper money transfer to Greece from UK or sending money to Greece from USA.
Plus all the money transfer companies listed on this site are regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) and have been carefully vetted by Money Transfer to Greece.
Expats moving to Greece will be returning to what is referred to throughout history as the cradle of Western civilization. Located on the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsular and extending into the isthmus at Corinth to the Aegean Sea islands beyond, Greece has long been regarded as one of the most attractive and comfortable expat destinations.
That being said, the nation has been beleaguered by debt crises in 2009 and 2010, and bailout packages have only started to alleviate the dire descent of the Greek economy. It should be noted that while Greece enjoyed record growth until the market crash of 2008, expat job opportunities have reduced sharply since this point.
Greece 's important employment sectors are a growing tourist industry, construction, telecommunications, agriculture, shipping and the service industries. Tourism in particular is still a field in which expats moving to Greece will find some work.
If considering moving to Greece , expats should be sure to take into account the relatively unstable state of the current economy, and what this could mean for job security and job acquisition.
The two main Greece expat cities are Thessaloniki, in Central Macedonia, and Athens , which is the largest and most diverse of Greek cities. However, there are many expats living in Greece who choose to buy a villa on the coast or on one of the islands, and many villages have a token foreigner in their midst.
Thessaloniki is well known for its high-tech industries, hosting the Thessaloniki Technology Park and the Thessaloniki Science Center and Museum. While not as multicultural as Athens , there are still large amounts of expats making a home in the city.
While Greece has its share of problems, such as the occasional xenophobic-related safety issue and politically charged crime and corruption, it is a modern European state with most of the associated benefits.
Greece is a place of majestic beauty. An expat destination famed for its high quality lifestyle and sandy beaches, ancient villages and olive groves which dot the mountainous and often austere landscape.
