Good news for Indian travellers! Those planning a trip to the gorgeous sun-drenched islands of Greece or wanting to explore the ancient streets of Athens, you have one less thing to worry about. India’s global Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now officially live in Greece. Now eligible Indian visitors can pay digitally at participating merchants without relying heavily on cash or international cards. This makes Greece 10th country on the list to accept India’ UPI. The news was shared by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his visit to Athens. He also saw a live demonstration of the UPI integration through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and Eurobank, one of Greece’s leading banks.What’s in for Indian tourists
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Greece has long been one of Europe’s dream destinations attracting Indian travellers. The country is home to iconic sites such as the Acropolis, Santorini, Mykonos’ beaches, and the historic monasteries of Meteora. Until now, Indian travellers were required to carry heavy euros, forex cards, or depend on international debit and credit cards. But with UPI in Greece now, eligible users can make instant digital payments. This means paying for meals at local restaurants, shopping for souvenirs, purchasing museum tickets, or settling hotel bills could become much simpler wherever UPI is acceptable.Greece becomes the 10th country to accept UPI
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Greece has now become the 10th country in the world to join the UPI network. The other nine countries are:SingaporeUnited Arab EmiratesFranceMauritiusNepalBhutanQatarSri LankaCambodiaWhy it matters for travelFor international tourists, carrying cash often becomes one of the biggest pains and carrying large amounts of cash also has its security concerns. Currency exchange counters typically charge higher conversion margins and international cards may attract foreign transaction fees. So, many issues. But digital payments through UPI can simplify these issues. The move is also expected to benefit Indian students and business travellers.What travellers should keep in mind
Travellers should keep in mind that they must have an eligible bank account and a UPI-enabled application that supports international merchant payments. Also even though UPI is now available in Greece, it is advisable to continue carrying a backup payment option such as an international debit or credit card, especially while the network expands. Merchant acceptance may vary during the initial rollout.Meanwhile, Greece’s entry into the world of UPI is another step towards a brighter future.
