eSIM for Greece
Land connected in Greece. Pick a plan below - it activates in seconds, no physical SIM, no roaming fees.
Best eSIM plans for Greece
Three travel data plans that suit most trips to Greece, or see the full list of Greek eSIMs below.
Your Greece eSIM guide
How to install your Greece eSIM in 3 steps
Getting set up takes only a few minutes, but do it before you leave home since installing an eSIM requires an internet connection.
- Buy your plan and receive your QR code by email right away.
- Scan and install on Wi-Fi before departure. On iPhone go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM; on Android go to Settings > SIM Manager (or Network & Internet) > Add eSIM, then scan the code.
- Activate on arrival at Athens International Airport (or wherever you land) by turning on data roaming for the new eSIM line, then switch off your home line's data to avoid charges.
Mobile network coverage in Greece
Greece is served by three main operators: Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova (formerly Wind). Cosmote has the widest reach and is generally the strongest performer on smaller islands and in mountain regions, while Vodafone and Cosmote tend to be fastest in the biggest cities.
Athens, Thessaloniki, and other cities
Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Larissa, Volos, and Ioannina all have dense 4G coverage and increasingly complete 5G from Cosmote and Vodafone, with typical speeds in the 100-200 Mbps range in busy areas and peaks well above that. Nova also operates in over 35 cities but with somewhat lighter coverage than the other two.
Islands, coast, and mountains
Popular islands like Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos have solid 4G and growing 5G in their main towns (Fira, Kamari, and Perissa on Santorini already have 5G), but signal thins out on remote beaches and back roads. Smaller Cycladic and Dodecanese islands, such as Folegandros or Amorgos, often have only Cosmote covering the settlements. Inland mountain roads and winding coastal routes are another weak spot, and Vodafone in particular can drop out where Cosmote holds on.
Getting around and ferries
If your route includes a ferry, for example Piraeus to Heraklion or hops between Cyclades islands, expect the connection to fade or vanish for stretches mid-crossing, so download maps, tickets, or entertainment before boarding.
How much data do you need for your trip to Greece?
| Usage style | Daily estimate | 1-week trip | Good fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (maps, messaging, occasional browsing) | ~300 MB | 2-3 GB | See light-data plans |
| Moderate (social media, music, some navigation) | ~750 MB | ~5 GB | See moderate-data plans |
| Heavy (streaming, hotspot, constant navigation on ferries and islands) | 1.5 GB+ | 10-20 GB | See high-data plans |
eSIM vs. roaming vs. a local SIM in Greece
| Travel eSIM | Home-carrier roaming | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | From £0.62 | Often £4-£11 per day | Around £15 for a starter pack |
| Setup | Install before you fly, activate on arrival | Automatic, but check your carrier switched on Greece roaming | Buy in person after landing (e.g. at Athens airport or a Cosmote/Vodafone store) |
| Keep your number | Yes, alongside your data line | Yes | No, new local number |
| ID/passport needed | No, activation is by QR code only | No | Yes, passport required at point of sale for activation |
If you're settling in for a long stretch, say working remotely from Crete or Athens for a couple of months, a local Cosmote or Vodafone SIM can work out better than repeated short-term eSIM top-ups.
Tips for staying connected in Greece
- Save 112 in your phone; it is the free pan-European emergency number, works even without a SIM, and operators typically answer in Greek, English, and French before routing you to police, ambulance, or fire services.
- For police-specific issues you can also dial 100 directly.
- On island-hopping ferry routes, download offline maps and tickets beforehand since coverage can disappear mid-crossing.
- If you're heading to a smaller Cycladic or Dodecanese island, expect Cosmote to be the only network with reliable signal in the village.
- On mountain or cliffside roads inland, don't rely on Vodafone alone; Cosmote tends to hold a signal longer in those spots.
- Your device needs to support 900/1800 MHz for 2G, W-CDMA for 3G, and LTE for 4G to work properly on Greek networks.
- Heading to the islands next? Check out our Greece eSIM plans sized for your itinerary.
Traveling beyond Greece?
Making a wider Mediterranean or Balkan trip? Grab an eSIM for Italy before a ferry to Bari, an eSIM for Turkey for onward travel east, an eSIM for Bulgaria or eSIM for North Macedonia for a land crossing north, an eSIM for Albania along the western border, or an eSIM for Cyprus for a further island stop. Covering more of the continent? Browse our Europe eSIM options.
All Greek eSIM data plans
16 plans from £0.62. Prices include VAT, shown in GBP.
Not sure how much data you need?
Tell us your trip length and how you'll use your phone, and we'll point you to the right plan.
Get a free Trip Essentials kit for Greece only with idealesim Greek plans
A taste of what unlocks with any Greece eSIM - local phrases with audio, today's weather, airport prep, and offline-ready map links.
Phrasebook Greek
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HelloΓεια σαςYAH sahs
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Thank youΕυχαριστώef-khah-rees-TOH
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How much is this?Πόσο κοστίζει αυτό;POH-soh kos-TEE-zee af-TOH
22 more phrases unlock with any eSIM purchase.
Weather Athens
Full 3-day forecast in your dashboard.
Flying in
All airports + terminal map links in your dashboard.
Maps to save offline
- Acropolis of Athens
- Acropolis of Athens
- Parthenon
- Parthenon
+23 more spots - plus airports, transit, and one-tap deep-link buttons in your dashboard.
Travel tips for Greece
For official travel information, visit visitgreece.gr - the official tourism website of Greece.
Local info for Greece
What's Greece known for?
Must-see attractions
- Parthenon
- Delphi
- Knossos Palace
Natural features
- Santorini Caldera
- Meteora Rocks
- Mount Olympus
Top destinations in Greece
Explore the best Greek destinations and stay connected.
Chania
ExploreCorfu
ExploreCrete
ExploreDelphi
ExploreIos
ExploreKos
ExploreMeteora
ExploreMykonos
ExploreNafplio
ExploreNaxos
ExploreParos
ExplorePeloponnese
ExploreSkiathos
ExploreZakynthos
ExploreAthens
ExplorePatras
ExploreThessaloniki
ExploreHeraklion
ExploreSantorini
ExploreRhodes
ExploreFrequently asked questions about eSIMs for Greece
Which network is best for the Greek islands?
Cosmote is generally the safest bet for smaller islands, since on places like Folegandros or Amorgos it's often the only operator with coverage in the settlement. On bigger islands such as Crete, Rhodes, and Mykonos, Cosmote and Vodafone both perform well in the main towns, with 5G already live in spots like Fira, Kamari, and Perissa on Santorini.
Do I need my passport to get connected in Greece?
Only for a physical local SIM, where a passport is required at the point of sale and activation takes about 5-15 minutes in store. A travel eSIM skips this entirely: you activate it yourself via QR code in a couple of minutes, no ID check needed.
Will my phone work on Greek networks?
Most modern phones will, as long as they support 900/1800 MHz for 2G, W-CDMA for 3G, and LTE for 4G, which is what Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova use. Unlike Turkey, Chile, or Colombia, Greece doesn't require any IMEI registration for visiting travelers.
What's the emergency number in Greece?
Dial 112, the free pan-European emergency number that works on any network and even without a SIM card inserted. Operators typically handle calls in Greek, English, and French and will route you to police, ambulance, or fire services; for police-only matters you can also use 100.
Is there signal on ferries between the islands?
Not reliably. Routes like Piraeus to Heraklion or hops between Cyclades islands often lose signal for stretches mid-journey, so it's worth downloading maps, tickets, and anything else you need before you board rather than counting on a mid-sea connection.
Is 5G available in Greece yet?
Yes, and it's expanding fast: Cosmote has the widest 5G reach, with Vodafone close behind and Nova still building out its network. It's live in Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, and 60-plus other cities, though most smaller islands and rural stretches remain 4G-only.
Should I buy my eSIM before I land at Athens airport?
Yes. Install it on Wi-Fi before you fly, since eSIM installation needs an internet connection and airport Wi-Fi at Athens International Airport isn't guaranteed to be fast or immediate. Once you land, just switch on data roaming for the eSIM line and you're set.
Does the Athens airport transfer into the city have decent signal?
Yes. The X95 airport bus and Metro Line 3 run into central Athens through built-up areas the whole way, so Cosmote and Vodafone both hold a strong 4G/5G signal for calls, maps, and streaming. It's a good stretch to catch up on messages after you land, before heading off toward quieter island routes where coverage gets patchier.
Is coverage in the mountains and countryside reliable?
It's patchy. Inland mountain roads and winding coastal routes see more dropouts than cities, and Vodafone in particular can lose signal in those areas while Cosmote tends to hold on longer, especially near smaller villages and higher elevations.
Can I use my Greece eSIM data if I hop over to a neighboring country?
The connectivity details on this page (networks, coverage, local SIM rules, prices and any numbers) are provided for general guidance and can change. Please confirm current details, especially emergency numbers and registration requirements, with official local sources before you travel.