When you book accommodation directly with the owner or through platforms, the first question that arises is: What is the best and cheapest way to send a deposit? With the introduction of new banking systems such as SEPA transfers in Serbia (May 2026), costs have significantly changed - for the better for our tourists.

Updated for the 2026 season: Learn how to take advantage of the new SEPA system and pay a deposit with minimal commission.

Commissions, transfer speed, and ease of use vary from method to method. Also, keep in mind that not all hotels and owners in Greece have access to all methods, so check the instructions before making a payment.

In this guide, we compare all available options - from modern applications to traditional transfers.

Quick Guide to Deposit Payment Methods

1. Via a Foreign Account with SEPA Transfer - The Most Affordable Option (Serbia is now part of the system!)

Serbia has joined the SEPA system (Single Euro Payments Area), meaning that payments to Greece and the rest of Europe are now simple, fast, and most cost-effective (in terms of bank commissions). You need to have a foreign account because the payment is made exclusively in EUR.

What you get:

• Lowest commission: around €5 if done online, through the bank’s app. If paid at the bank counter, the commission is higher (up to 2000 RSD).
• Speed: The money is in the owner’s account the same or the next business day. You don’t have to worry about the reservation as the money reaches the owner on time.

How to pay: In the app, enter: owner’s IBAN (account number), owner’s bank SWIFT/BIC code, owner’s name and surname, make sure to mark SHA payment model and EUR currency.

Some banks automatically switch to a SEPA transfer system during data entry, while others require manual selection. Pay attention during data entry.

That’s it.

• The money is sent, you immediately receive confirmation of payment.
• Send proof to the agency or owner to confirm the reservation.

What you need:

• Foreign account: You must have a foreign account in euros in your bank. If you don’t have one, opening it is quick and easy.
• Mobile app: You need to have e-banking or m-banking installed at your bank because through the app, it is truly the most cost-effective way to transfer funds.

Why is this “number 1”? While commissions used to be 20, 40, or more euros, the SEPA system drastically reduces this cost to around €5. This saving covers your first lunch or refreshment by the sea!

• Click here for DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS (step by step)

Paysend and Wise

Paysend and Wise are applications that also serve for fast money transfer directly to the owner’s account. While Serbia has not entered the SEPA system, Paysend and Wise were the most cost-effective systems for payment compared to the traditional bank SWIFT transfer or Western Union. With the arrival of SEPA in Serbia, these systems are no longer the most cost-effective. Expect higher commissions. When to choose Paysend or Wise? If you do not have a foreign account and do not want to open one, you can pay the deposit directly from your dinar card via Paysend and Wise without going to an exchange office or bank.

• Paysend is more cost-effective than the Wise system.

Important note:

• Although the basic commission is low (e.g., €1.5), these services earn on exchange rate difference. If you pay in dinars, the final amount deducted from your account will be higher than the rate you would get at the exchange office, so choose this solution when comfort is more important to you than the lowest rate.

Paysend

• Payment is possible with a Visa and MasterCard from any bank except AIK and Dina cards (for Serbia).
• Unfortunately, payments from Bosnia and Herzegovina are still not possible.
• Download the app and register.
• The details needed for the deposit payment are similar to those in our banks: IBAN and the name and surname of the account holder, or the company name.
• Choose the SEPA transfer method and EUR currency.

You will receive a transaction confirmation that needs to be sent to the agency or owner to complete the reservation process.

• Find a detailed step-by-step guide here.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is a global financial institution that transfers money in over 40 currencies and to more than 160 countries worldwide. The reliability of this system is evidenced by the fact that many major world banks use (or “rent”) their technology within their systems. However, this system is not the most cost-effective in terms of commissions. Important for registration: For security reasons, they will ask you to verify your identity during your first payment. This involves taking a photo of your valid passport or ID card and doing a short “selfie.” This process usually takes a few minutes, but it is best to do it before starting the actual deposit payment to avoid wasting time. Deposit payment process: The money transfer itself is simple and similar to other applications:

• Check detailed step-by-step instructions here.

Email note: Wise offers the option to send money using only the recipient’s email address, but we do not recommend this for deposit payments. Greek owners often do not recognize these emails or consider them scams, which can lead to delays or even cancellation of your reservation. Always use direct entry of the IBAN.

Traditional and Other Payment Methods

If you do not use mobile banking or applications, traditional money transfer systems are also available. Keep in mind that these methods are more expensive due to higher commissions and exchange rate differences.

Western Union, MoneyGram, and Ria

These are similar systems that are ideal if you are not tech-savvy or if neither you nor the accommodation owner have a bank account.

• Where to pay: You can make payments at almost any post office, exchange office, or bank, exclusively in dinar equivalent.
• Without an account: For sending money, you only need an ID and recipient’s details.
• Important - caution during entry: Officials must enter the owner’s details absolutely accurately. Even one spelling mistake or swapping of names can result in the owner not being able to withdraw the money.
• How to confirm payment: After the payment, you will receive a control number (MTCN code for Western Union or an eight-digit code for MoneyGram). It is best to take a photo of the entire payment slip and send it to us by email.

IMPORTANT:

MoneyGram and Ria services are only available in larger cities. For example, in Halkidiki, most accommodation owners and hotels do not have these services. So, despite the lower commission, be sure to check the instructions before payment to see if owners accept this payment method.

Commissions:

Keep in mind that the payment is made in dinars based on the rates of these services, which may be slightly higher than those in exchange offices.

• Western Union: Deposit payment commissions range from 800 RSD to 3,300 RSD and more, depending on the amount. Step-by-step instructions and pricing list can be found here.
• MoneyGram: There is no fixed online price list; the commission amount depends on the country and amount, so be sure to inquire at the counter before sending. Step-by-step instructions for MoneyGram can be found here.
• RIA is known for being slightly more affordable than Western Union. Commissions are split into “tiers”: up to €100, the commission is around €5, from €100 to €200, the commission is €9-12, and from €200 to €500, the commission is €15 to €20.

PayPal

PayPal is a global online payment service. It is not among the most cost-effective methods, and commissions range from 3.5 to 5%. To send a deposit this way, both you and the accommodation owner must have a PayPal account, and you send money using only the owner’s email address. Registration on PayPal is free, and the account is activated through a few simple steps:

• Account creation: Enter your email address and basic information about yourself.
• Linking a card: You need to have a Visa card (supporting online payments) and link it to your account.
• Verification (€1.5): To confirm your identity, PayPal will charge you €1.5 initially. This amount is soon refunded to your account and serves only to verify that the card is valid.
• Important advice for the exchange rate: You can withdraw money from the linked foreign account, so set the conversion rate to EUR.
• Important: check all details before sending as it’s not possible to correct or cancel the transaction after sending.
• More details on PayPal deposit payments.

Livepay.gr (only if the owner sends you a link)

Livepay.gr (Worldline Greece) is an online payment platform and another way to pay the deposit directly, without going to the bank. You can make a payment if you have a credit, debit, or prepaid Visa or Mastercard issued by any bank. How the payment works:

• Direct link: If the accommodation owner has sent you a link, it will take you directly to their page on the Livepay portal.
• Entering data: Fill in the amount and your card details (Visa, Master). The transaction is processed in real-time.
• Confirmation: When you complete the payment, the system will show you a confirmation. Be sure to save it (as a screenshot or PDF) and send it to the agency or owner to confirm the reservation.

ADVICE Always check with the agency and accommodation owner which options they accept, but if you have a choice, direct payment via a foreign account and the SEPA system is the absolute winner in terms of savings.