×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
06
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 12°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Economy

Guardian lists 10 things Greeks (in Greece) are now without!

Curbs on economic freedom, in the EU... circa 2015

Newsroom July 8 09:27

2015 is turning out to be the Olympic Games of … Eurogroup sessions and an unprecedented “gab fest” for European leaders engaged in the “Greek crisis saga”. Apparently, the Grecian “custom” of incessant political chatter and debate — from coffee shop, to kitchen tables to Parliament’s aisles — is infectious.

Yet, as the Guardian points outs, a bank “holiday” in crisis-stricken Greece and simultaneous “capital controls” have “robbed” permanent residents in the country  of at least 10 economic freedoms enjoyed in much of the developed world.

Here they are, courtesy of the Guardian, which isn’t usually confused with British media accused of being “neo-liberal” lackeys….

drachmas

1 Cash

Greeks cannot withdraw more than €60 – about £43 – a day from cash machines. Cash is running out, with shortages of €5, €10 and €20 notes and €1 coins. Queues at cash machines are long.

2 Credit cards

Technically, cards are still accepted but many retailers only want cash; some offer discounts for cash. Greeks travelling abroad say they are having problems using cards issued by Greek banks, especially for big bills.

3 Money transfers

Transfers of money outside the country are banned without approval from a special committee, restricting imports and payments to exporters.

4 iPhone apps

People with iPhones report a block on downloading apps. Others who have subscription accounts to pay for iCloud storage received error messages when monthly direct debit fees were due.

5 PayPal

Greeks can receive Paypal payments but cannot spend. The company said capital controls meant funding of PayPal wallets from Greek bank accounts was currently not available.

paypal

6 Buy online

The ability to order goods and book services from websites that are based outside Greece – including Amazon.com or airlines such as easyJet – has become limited.

7 Buy or sell shares

The Athens stock exchange has been closed for seven days. It is scheduled to reopen on Thursday – but that prospect seems unlikely unless the banks are also able to resume trading.

8 Pay the rent

Restrictions on cash are making rent and bill payments difficult. Direct debit payments are apparently slowing and e-banking is creaking.

9 Shortages looming

>Related articles

The Greeks take center stage again in 2025 – Targeted acquisitions and “smart” vessel sales

Christmas Bonus 2025: What applies to private sector employees

Netflix buys Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion: How the mega deal closed

Greek shoppers have been stocking up on staple items – such as coffee, pulses, rice, batteries and soap. Eggs and meat are also becoming more difficult to obtain, according to reports.

10 Pharmaceuticals

Almost all Greek drug supplies are imported and shortages of some essential drugs are reported. Greece owes international drug companies more than €1.1bn, according to an industry body.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Papastavrou: The ministerial meeting of the Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the USA group in Washington in April

December 5, 2025

European Commission handbook depicts the East Aegean islands and the Dodecanese as Turkish

December 5, 2025

Anger in Cyprus over the UN Secretary General’s envoy: She described the occupied territories as the “Turkish” side of Cyprus

December 5, 2025

From MAGA to Make Europe Great Again, with support for patriotic parties and a “stop” on mass immigration – How to stop the onslaught of China

December 5, 2025

Billionaire Andrej Babis reappointed Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on Tuesday

December 5, 2025

Axios: Trump will announce by Christmas the new governance structure for Gaza

December 5, 2025

Bolsonaro backs his eldest son as presidential candidate in the 2026 elections

December 5, 2025

US Ultimatum to the EU: Take on the majority of NATO spending by 2027

December 5, 2025
All News

> World

From MAGA to Make Europe Great Again, with support for patriotic parties and a “stop” on mass immigration – How to stop the onslaught of China

The new strategy defines US foreign policy for the remainder of Trump’s term, with “America First” emphasizing the strengthening of US dominance in the world

December 5, 2025

Billionaire Andrej Babis reappointed Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on Tuesday

December 5, 2025

Axios: Trump will announce by Christmas the new governance structure for Gaza

December 5, 2025

Bolsonaro backs his eldest son as presidential candidate in the 2026 elections

December 5, 2025

US Ultimatum to the EU: Take on the majority of NATO spending by 2027

December 5, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα