Greek Taxis Now Required to Display Credit Card Payment Signage

Photo source: Panhellenic Taxi Federation (POEIATA)

Taxis in Greece are now required to display a special sticker informing customers that they accept credit card payments.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, following a proposal by Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE) Governor Giorgos Pitsilis.

According to the ministry’s decision, the special sticker must be placed on the rear right door window of taxi vehicles.

The sticker states the following in Greek and English:

The driver is obliged:

– to issue a receipt at the end of the route.
– to accept card payment.

The customer is NOT obliged:

– to pay in cash.
– to pay before receiving the legal receipt.

Following is the sticker that passengers should see displayed on taxis in Greece:

The special sticker will be distributed by AADE to the Panhellenic Taxi Federation, which will then provide them to its members.

Taxis are required to affix the sticker to their vehicle within three weeks of receiving it from the federation.

Violators will be fined 1,000 euros. A telephone hotline for complaints is expected to be announced soon.

Greek Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis recently announced that the mandatory sticker will also be distributed to other sectors.

“We are starting with sectors that concern the majority of citizens, and taxis are also vital to our tourism industry,” the minister said.

According to the ministry’s press representative, Omiros Tsapalos, currently very few taxi drivers inform passengers that they accept credit cards for payment.

“Despite this being mandatory for months,” he said, adding that taxi drivers often claim that the POS machine doesn’t work, takes time to boot, lacks a signal, or hasn’t been installed.

“Citizens demand good service… They want the right to an alternative payment method… We must all protect our tourism industry and, above all, the rights of citizens,” he said.

Tsapalos clarified that he was not referring to all taxi drivers in Greece.

“I am referring to those who deceive people and know very well what they are doing,” he added.