Greece
Best SIM and eSIM for Greece: data plans, Wi-Fi and phone tips
For a short trip, a travel eSIM installed before you fly is the simplest option: no shop queue, no passport registration, data from landing. Buy a local prepaid SIM from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova if you stay two weeks or more, need a Greek number, or want the lowest per-GB price. EU/EEA SIMs roam at home rates.
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- Plan calculated
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GuideGreece
Key facts
- Best for trips under 2 weeks
- Travel eSIM bought before departure; works on arrival, no registration
- Best for longer stays or a local number
- Prepaid SIM from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova shop; passport required
- EU/EEA SIMs
- Roam at home prices under EU rules
- UK and other non-EU SIMs
- Roaming depends on your operator; check before flying
- Coverage weak spots
- At sea between islands and in mountain villages
- Wi-Fi
- Free in most hotels, cafés, ferries and many beach bars; slow fibre on small islands
- Emergency number
- 112, free, works on any network
Quick answer
Decide by trip length and whether you need a Greek phone number. Under two weeks, mostly cities and ferries: a travel eSIM is enough and saves an airport shop stop. Two weeks or more, or you want a +30 number for bookings, apartment hosts and Viber calls: a prepaid SIM from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova is cheaper per gigabyte.
If you already hold an EU or EEA SIM, you can roam at your home rates, which is often the cheapest of all. UK and other non-EU SIMs vary by operator, so check your plan before you fly rather than at the airport.
Options by passport and trip
Greek prepaid SIMs are sold to visitors, but every SIM must be registered with a passport or ID, so bring the document to the shop. Airport counters are convenient and priced higher; town shops are cheaper and quieter.
| Your situation | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| US, Canadian, Australian, NZ passport, 5–10 day trip | Travel eSIM | No shop visit, no passport registration, data on landing |
| Same, 2 weeks or more | Local prepaid SIM (Cosmote, Vodafone, Nova) | Lower cost per GB and a Greek number |
| EU/EEA resident with a home SIM | Roam at home rates | EU roaming rules apply across Greece |
| UK SIM holder | Check your operator's Greece terms | Post-Brexit roaming is operator-specific |
| Island-hopping by ferry | Any option plus offline maps | Signal fades at sea between islands |
| Long stay or remote work | Local prepaid SIM plus a second eSIM | Local data for daily use, eSIM as backup |
How to buy and activate
For an eSIM: buy from your provider before departure, install it while you still have home Wi-Fi, and leave it switched off until landing. On arrival, turn off data roaming on your home SIM, enable the eSIM line, and set it as the data line. Keep your home number active for bank codes and two-factor texts, but turn off its data to avoid charges.
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked before buying.
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi; activation usually happens when it first connects in Greece.
- For a physical SIM, go to a Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova shop with your passport; airport counters cost more.
- Ask the staff to activate data and confirm the plan's validity and data cap.
- Set the new SIM as your data line and keep your home SIM for calls and texts.
- Download offline Google Maps for your islands before you leave Wi-Fi.
Coverage, Wi-Fi and calls
Coverage on the mainland and the main islands is good in towns and along coasts. It weakens at sea between islands, on ferry crossings, and in mountain villages, so download what you need before boarding. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés, tavernas and many beach bars, and ferries usually offer it, though it drops out at sea. Fast fibre is still rare on small islands, so do not plan to work from one.
| Place | Mobile data | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras | Strong 4G/5G | Widely free in cafés and hotels |
| Main islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Naxos) | Good in towns and resorts | Common in hotels and bars |
| Small islands and remote beaches | Patchy | Limited; often slow |
| Ferries between islands | Fades at sea | On board, patchy at sea |
| Mountain villages | Weak or none | Rare |
Signal and Wi-Fi quality vary by location and season; treat this as a planning guide, not a guarantee.
Practical notes
Greece's country code is +30; mobile numbers start with 69 and landlines with 2. Viber and WhatsApp are both widely used, and many small businesses take bookings on Viber, so a local number helps if you are arranging apartments or taxis. Emergency calls to 112 are free and work on any network, and Greece sends cell-broadcast alerts to phones in the area; no app is needed.
If you keep your home SIM active for texts, watch data roaming charges, especially outside the EU. Public Wi-Fi is fine for browsing but avoid banking on open networks; use your mobile data instead.
- Country code +30; mobiles 69, landlines 2.
- 112 for emergencies, free on any network.
- Viber and WhatsApp are the usual messaging apps.
- Turn off home-SIM data roaming unless your plan covers Greece.
FAQ
Sources and verification
Questions people ask
What is the best eSIM for Greece?
There is no single best brand: pick a travel eSIM that covers Greece with the data size and validity you need, and install it before you fly. For stays over two weeks or a Greek number, a local prepaid SIM from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova usually costs less per GB.
Does my phone work in Greece?
Any unlocked GSM phone works on Greek networks. Check that your phone is carrier-unlocked and supports the bands used in Greece; if you want an eSIM, confirm your model supports eSIM before buying. EU/EEA SIMs roam at home rates.
Is Wi-Fi easy to find in Greece?
Yes in hotels, cafés, tavernas and many beach bars, and ferries usually offer it, though it drops out at sea. Small islands often have slow connections, so keep mobile data as your main option and download offline maps.
Do I need a passport to buy a Greek SIM card?
Yes. Greek prepaid SIMs must be registered, so bring your passport or ID to the Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova shop. Airport counters also sell SIMs, usually at higher prices than town shops.
Can I use my EU SIM in Greece at no extra cost?
Yes. EU and EEA SIMs roam at home prices across Greece under EU roaming rules. UK and other non-EU SIMs depend on your operator's plan, so check the terms before you travel.
Will my phone work on ferries between the islands?
Signal fades at sea between islands, and ferry Wi-Fi is patchy. Download offline maps, tickets and any bookings before boarding, and treat crossings as offline time.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Greece (official tourism site)
- officialCosmote
- officialVodafone Greece
- officialNova (Wind Hellas)
- officialEuropean Commission – Roaming in the EU
- secondaryWikivoyage – Greece