Bulgarian nationals visiting neighbouring Greece this week will have to carry enough cash to pay for goods and services after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced a bank holiday and the introduction of capital controls, the Foreign Ministry in Sofia said on Monday.

According to the available information, banks in Greece will remain closed from 29 June until 5 July at least, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. On 5 July Greeks are expected to vote in a referendum on the terms of a financial bailout plan proposed by Tsipras and approved by the parliament in Athens.

Banks in Greece are expected to reopen on 7 July, according to the statement. Until then, cash withdrawals from ATM’s in Greece will be capped at EUR 60 per day.

According to witnesses’ reports, ATMs had been emptied in the area of Thessaloniki, the Halkidiki peninsula and other destinations frequented by holiday-makers, the statement read.

Furthermore, hotel owners in Greece were demanding cash payment for their services; some petrol stations had been closed and supply disruptions could be expected, particularly in smaller towns and villages, according to the statement.  

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends to Bulgarian citizens travelling in the region to take these circumstances into account and have enough euro in cash to meet contingencies.”