Staying connected in Greece is straightforward for EU visitors using EU roaming - your home data plan works across Greece at no extra charge. For visitors from outside the EU (UK, US, Australia, Canada, and others), an eSIM or local SIM is the most cost-effective solution.
EU Roaming
If you have a mobile plan from an EU or EEA country, the EU’s roaming regulations allow you to use your data, calls, and texts in Greece at the same rate as at home (subject to fair use limits). This applies to: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and all other EU/EEA countries.
Note: Post-Brexit UK plans vary - some UK carriers include EU roaming in their plans, others charge extra. Check with your carrier before travelling.
eSIM Options for Greece
An eSIM is the most convenient option for non-EU visitors - buy before you leave, activate on arrival, and start using data immediately. No queuing at the airport, no finding a phone shop.
Airalo: One of the most widely used eSIM providers for travel. Greece-specific plans or European regional plans (covering all EU countries). Plans from approximately €5 for 1GB to €20 for 10GB (as of 2026). Works on most modern phones (iPhone XS and newer, most Android flagships from 2019 onward).
Get your Airalo eSIM through our affiliate link: Airalo Greece eSIM.
Other options:
- Holafly: Unlimited data plans for Greece from approximately €19/week - good for heavy users
- aloSIM: Greece-specific plans, straightforward interface
- Local SIM cards: Available at Athens Airport (Cosmote and Vodafone Greece desks) and in city centre mobile shops. Plans from approximately €10–20/month with 10–20GB data. Requires passport registration.
Which Greek Carrier Has the Best Coverage?
Cosmote (owned by Deutsche Telekom) has the widest coverage in mainland Greece, including coverage in many remote areas. Most eSIM providers use Cosmote’s network for Greek plans.
Vodafone Greece: Good urban coverage, slightly less comprehensive in rural areas.
Wind Hellas: The third carrier - competitive in cities, less reliable outside main towns.
For island travel and remote areas (Zagori gorges, mountain villages, small islands), Cosmote generally performs best.
Coverage on the Greek Islands
| Island | Coverage quality |
|---|---|
| Crete | Excellent (Cosmote/Vodafone both good) |
| Santorini | Excellent (all carriers) |
| Mykonos | Excellent |
| Corfu | Good |
| Rhodes | Good |
| Paros/Naxos | Good on main roads, patchy in hills |
| Kefalonia/Lefkada | Good in towns, patchy in mountains |
| Smaller islands | Variable - download offline maps |
Tips for Staying Connected in Greece
Download offline maps: Google Maps and Maps.me both allow offline map download by region. Download mainland Greece, Crete, and whichever islands you’re visiting before departure - essential for navigating without data in remote areas.
Free Wi-Fi: Available in most hotels, cafés, and restaurants throughout tourist areas. The quality varies significantly - hotel Wi-Fi on small islands can be slow.
Calling cards for local calls: If you need to make local calls (booking restaurants, taxis), buy a small top-up SIM at any kiosk (periptero) - cards from approximately €5.
Airport Wi-Fi: Athens International Airport has free Wi-Fi - useful for setting up your eSIM or downloading maps on arrival before purchasing a data plan.
Using Your Phone on Greek Ferries and Remote Islands
On ferries: Most large Greek ferries (Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines) have limited or no reliable data connection at sea. Download offline maps for your destination islands before boarding. Ferry crossing times range from 30 minutes (Piraeus–Aegina) to 10+ hours (Piraeus–Rhodes overnight), so plan your connectivity expectations accordingly.
On remote islands: The Dodecanese and eastern Aegean islands closest to Turkey (Kastellorizo, Agathonisi, Arki) have the weakest coverage due to their small populations and distance from the mainland. On these islands, expect basic voice coverage (Cosmote usually) but patchy or no 4G data. Download everything you need before arrival.
On hiking routes: The E4 long-distance walking route through the Peloponnese and Crete passes through areas with no coverage. The Vikos Gorge in Epirus and the Samaria Gorge in Crete both have limited signal in the gorge floor. Offline navigation (Maps.me works reliably offline) is essential for remote hiking.
SIM Cards at Athens Airport
If you prefer a physical SIM, Cosmote and Vodafone Greece both have desks in the arrivals hall of Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos):
- Cosmote tourist SIMs: approximately €10–30 depending on data allowance (5GB–30GB), valid 30 days. Available at the airport desk or any Cosmote store in the city.
- Vodafone Greece prepaid SIMs: approximately €10–25 for 5GB–20GB packages. Similar availability.
Both require passport registration at purchase (a legal requirement in Greece as of 2020). The registration takes approximately 5 minutes.
Buying in the city: Phone shops on central Athens streets (particularly around Omonia and Syntagma) often have better deals than the airport desks. If you have a hotel for the first night and can wait, buying in the city saves approximately €5–10.
Data Usage Planning
Greece is a navigation-heavy destination - complex ferry networks, medieval old towns with confusing street layouts, and remote archaeological sites all require consistent access to maps.
Typical data usage for a 2-week Greece trip:
- Light user (maps + occasional browsing, minimal streaming): 3–5GB
- Moderate user (maps, Instagram uploads, messaging, some streaming on ferries): 8–15GB
- Heavy user (streaming video, remote work, video calls): 20GB+
Most eSIM plans for Greece offer between 3GB and unlimited. For a 2-week trip with moderate use, a 10GB plan is adequate. If you plan to work remotely or stream on overnight ferries, opt for unlimited.
Get your travel eSIM for Greece before departure with Airalo.
Related Practical Guides
- Greece Travel Tips - practical advice including money, health, and customs
- Athens Airport Guide - SIM kiosks are also available at arrivals
- Getting Around Greece - offline maps are useful on ferries and remote islands
- Greece Digital Nomad Guide - connectivity for remote workers
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Greece 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car