The Foreign Office has updated its advice for those travelling to Greece with a warning that access to banking services in the country may become limited at short notice.
The change in advice comes as Greece teeters on the brink of defaulting on its debts, which could trigger an exit from the euro or the closure of the banking system.
“Visitors to Greece should be aware of the possibility that banking services – including credit card processing and servicing of ATMs – throughout Greece could potentially become limited at short notice,” the Foreign Office website now warns.
The specific warning about potential bank closures echoes similar advice issued in the US and Australia. Germany and the Netherlands have also issued similar advice after the European Central Bank capped emergency funds to the country before a referendum on the terms of a bailout.
The Treasury called on Greeks to back the bailout plan.
“We urge the people of Greece to resolve the current uncertainty, and ensure economic and financial stability across Europe,” it said.
The government added that it had taken measures to increase economic security so it could deal with risks from abroad, and continued to take steps to prepare itself for all eventualities.
The Foreign Office’s new advice supplements previous guidance that advised tourists to make sure they have enough euros in cash to cover “emergencies, unforeseen circumstances and any unexpected delays.” It also suggests travellers should take more than one means of payment with them including cash, debit card or credit card.
The Foreign Office said: “We are listening to concerns and keeping our advice under review. This change is consistent with US and Australian advice, which already highlights concerns that banking services could become limited at short notice. Other EU member states are also updating their advice today.”
Experts advise holidaymakers heading to Greece to take plenty of cash with them. Locals have been withdrawing €200m to €300m a day over the last few months, rising to more than €1bn (£0.71bn) at the height of the crisis, earlier in June.
But as the price of holidays have fallen, there has been a surge in the number of Brits travelling to Greece according to Abta, the group which represents travel agents and tour operators.
Andrew Brown, spokesman for Post Office Travel Money said: “We are advising our customers to be prepared and ensure that they budget carefully, taking enough cash in euros to see them through their holiday.”
He suggested that once people arrive in Greece they should use safes and deposit boxes to store cash and split money between family members so that no individual was carrying too much around with them.
“By planning ahead, holidaymakers can have a worry-free holiday,” he said.
Even if Greece does leave the eurozone, the euro will continue to be the country’s legal tender for some time to come.
