Country guide · EuropeLocal SIM Cards in Greece: Carriers, Plans & Prices (2026)
Tourist SIM cards in Greece start at $11 from Cosmote. Buy at Athens International Airport arrivals or Cosmote/Vodafone stores in tourist areas. Passport required for registration. For instant data without a store visit, a HelloRoam eSIM costs from $1.14 and activates in 2 minutes. See the comparison table below.
- Recommended
- HelloRoam eSIMfrom $1.14, instant activation
- Setup time
- Under 2 mininstall before your flight
- Physical SIM from
- $11 USDCosmote
- Network
- 4G LTE / 5GCosmote
Greece means islands, and that shapes the SIM card decision. Cosmote, the former state carrier, has the most extensive island coverage across the Aegean and Ionian seas. For anyone planning to hop between Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and smaller islands like Milos or Paros, Cosmote is the practical choice. Vodafone Greece is strong on the mainland and popular tourist islands but thinner on the smaller Cyclades. Both carriers have counters at Athens International Airport in the arrivals hall. Plans roam across the EU. The typical tourist plan from Cosmote is 12 EUR for 10 GB over 10 days, including 200 minutes of local calls. Most carrier stores in tourist areas close for a midday break from about 2 PM to 5 PM, which catches visitors off guard.
Greece has three carriers: Cosmote (largest, best island coverage), Vodafone Greece, and Wind Hellas. Athens Airport (ATH) has Cosmote and Vodafone stores in arrivals. As an EU member, any EU SIM card roams in Greece at domestic rates. Cosmote covers more Greek islands than its competitors.
eSIM for Greece: the fastest option
Travel eSIMs skip the physical SIM process entirely. Buy online, scan a QR code, and your phone connects to a local network. No passport check, no airport queue, no SIM ejector tool. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS.
Local Cosmote SIM is easy to buy in Athens. eSIM is the top choice for island-hopping itineraries where buying a local SIM is less practical and EU roaming covers connections to other European destinations.
HelloRoam Greece eSIM: our tested pick
HelloRoam scored 8.8/10 in our testing, connects to Cosmote in Greece, and achieved 31/31 activation success. Cosmote is Greece's top-rated network for island and mainland coverage.
Affiliate link. Commissions never affect our rankings or editorial findings.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoamOur pick | 1 GB | 7 days | $1.14 |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 30 days | $10 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 days | $19 |
eSIM provider comparison
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Activation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoamTop rated | $1.14 | 1 GB | 7 days | Instant | 8.8/10 |
| Airalo | $10 | 3 GB | 30 days | Instant | 8.8/10 |
| Holafly | $19 | Unlimited | 7 days | Instant | 8.6/10 |
Scores based on activation speed, network coverage, support response time, and pricing across 14 countries. HelloRoam (8.8/10, 31/31 activations) is the top-rated provider. All provider links marked as affiliate.
See full eSIM guide for Greece →
eSIM vs physical SIM card in Greece
Here is how a HelloRoam eSIM compares to buying a local SIM card in Greece across the factors that matter most to travelers.
| Feature | HelloRoam eSIM | Local SIM Card |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | 15-60 minutes |
| Available before travel | Yes, install up to 30 days early | No, buy on arrival |
| ID required | No | Yes, passport |
| Price from | $1.14 USD | $11 USD |
| Data included | 1 GB to unlimited | Varies by plan |
| Hotspot | Included | Included on most plans |
| Support | 24/7 English | Local language, business hours |
| Local phone number | No, data only | Yes, included |
| Voice calls | Data only, use WhatsApp/FaceTime | Included |
Best SIM cards for tourists in Greece
Greece has 2 providers offering tourist-friendly prepaid SIM cards. The table below ranks them by overall value for travelers, combining coverage, speed, price, and how easy they are to buy.
| Provider | Type | Network | Cheapest plan | Plans | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CosmoteTop pick | major | 4G LTE / 5G | 12 EUR / $13 | 2 | Airport, Carrier Store |
| Vodafone Greece | major | 4G LTE / 5G | 10 EUR / $11 | 2 | Airport, Carrier Store |
SIM card plans compared
Below are every available tourist plan across all providers in Greece, sorted by price. Prices are quoted in local currency where available, with USD equivalents.
Cosmote
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist 10GBBest value | 10 GB | 12 EUR | 10 days | 200 min local | 200 SMS |
| Tourist 30GB | 30 GB | 20 EUR | 30 days | 500 min local | 500 SMS |
Vodafone Greece
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid 8GBBest value | 8 GB | 10 EUR | 14 days | 120 min local | 120 SMS |
| Prepaid 20GB | 20 GB | 15 EUR | 30 days | Unlimited Greece | Unlimited |
Where to buy a SIM card in Greece
The best place to buy is Athens International Airport arrivals or Cosmote/Vodafone stores in tourist areas. Here is what each channel offers and what to expect.
Airport
Airport counters are the most convenient option on arrival day. Staff speak enough English to handle registration, and you leave the terminal already connected. Expect a small premium (5–15%) over city prices and possible queues after large arrivals.
Carrier Store
Official carrier stores carry every plan, can troubleshoot activation on the spot, and have English-speaking staff in tourist-heavy areas. Prices match the carrier website.
Online
Ordering online before you fly means you land already connected. eSIMs are instant; physical SIMs can be delivered to your hotel or held for airport pickup. Best prices overall.
Buying experience
At Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, the Cosmote and Vodafone counters are both in the arrivals hall past the baggage area. Registration requires your passport or EU ID. The process takes about 10 minutes. In Athens city, the Monastiraki and Syntagma area has multiple carrier stores. On the islands, look for carrier stores in the port towns: Fira on Santorini, Mykonos Town, and Heraklion on Crete all have Cosmote shops. On smaller islands like Naxos, Paros, and Ios, the carrier presence is limited to one or two shops open during tourist season hours. Top-up cards are available at kiosks (periptera) throughout Greece.
Coverage & network in Greece
Greece operates on 4G LTE / 5G networks. Coverage quality varies by provider and region.
Coverage Map for Greece
Visit each carrier's website for their interactive coverage map
Cosmote
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Strong
Vodafone Greece
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Moderate
Cosmote leads on overall coverage with a rating of 5/5 for reach and 5/5 for speed. In cities, all providers perform similarly. Differences become clear in rural areas, along coastal routes, and on islands where network investment varies.
Real-world connectivity
Athens has strong 4G from Cosmote and Vodafone across the city and the Metro system in most stations. Santorini and Mykonos have excellent coverage in the main towns. The caldera rim villages on Santorini all get signal. Crete: Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno are well covered. The Samaria Gorge hike has Cosmote signal at the top in Omalos and at the bottom in Agia Roumeli but nothing in the gorge itself. Naxos has coverage in Hora. Rhodes city and the west coast resorts are fully covered. Remote northern Aegean islands like Samothrace and Limnos have Cosmote coverage in main towns only. Ferry crossings between islands will lose signal in the open Aegean.
Our verdict on SIM cards in Greece
Best for: Island-hopping travelers, Athens and Santorini visitors, Multi-country Mediterranean travelers.
Local Cosmote SIMs cost about 10-15 EUR for 10 GB. eSIM with EU roaming costs a similar amount and works across all 27 EU countries. For island-hopping or multi-country Mediterranean trips, eSIM is clearly more practical than buying a local SIM at each stop.
Activation & registration
Check your phone is unlocked
Your device must be carrier-unlocked to accept a Greece SIM. Check Settings or contact your home carrier before you leave.
Choose a plan before you buy
Decide on data volume and validity period. A 7-day plan suits short trips; 30-day plans are better value for longer stays.
Bring your passport
Registration is mandatory. The vendor scans your passport ID page and enters details into a government portal. Keep your passport accessible.
Insert and configure
Insert the nano-SIM using the ejector tool. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and confirm data roaming is on for the travel line. Run a speed test to confirm you are connected.
Tips for travelers in Greece
Cosmote has the best coverage on Greek islands. If you plan to island-hop, Cosmote is the safest choice.
Greek SIM cards roam free across the EU. Use the same SIM in Italy, Croatia, or any other EU country.
Carrier stores may close for afternoon break (3-5 PM). Airport counters have longer hours.
Coverage on popular islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes) is generally excellent with all carriers.
Small, remote islands may have weaker signal. Download offline maps before visiting.
Common mistakes to avoid
Not buying a SIM before heading to the islands. Carrier stores on small islands can be hard to find.
Assuming all island ferries have strong signal. Coverage can drop during open sea crossings.
Frequently asked questions
Which carrier is best for Greek island hopping?
Cosmote has the best island coverage in Greece, reaching even smaller, less-touristed islands. Vodafone is also solid on popular islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete.
Can I buy a SIM at Athens Airport?
Yes, Athens International Airport has Cosmote and Vodafone stores in the arrivals area. The process takes about 10 minutes with your passport.
Will my Greek SIM work in Turkey?
Turkey is not in the EU, so EU roaming does not apply. You will need a separate Turkish SIM card or an eSIM for Turkey.
How much does a tourist SIM cost in Greece?
Tourist SIMs start at 10 EUR ($11 USD) for 8 GB with Vodafone. Cosmote tourist plans with 10 GB cost 12 EUR. Plans with more data are 15-20 EUR.
Is there 5G on Greek islands?
5G is available in Athens, Thessaloniki, and some larger islands. Most Greek islands rely on 4G LTE, which provides good speeds for typical tourist needs.
Which eSIM provider is best for Greece?
HelloRoam is our top-rated eSIM for Greece (8.8/10). It connects to Cosmote and activates in under 2 minutes with no passport required. Airalo and Holafly also offer Greece coverage.
Which eSIM is best for Greece?
HelloRoam connects to Greece's 4G LTE / 5G network and plans start at $1.14 for 1 GB over 7 days. It works well for travelers who want data active before landing. Airalo offers a wider range of plan sizes at competitive prices. Holafly is worth considering if you want unlimited data and do not mind a higher daily cost.
Should I buy a SIM card or eSIM for Greece?
Local Cosmote SIM is easy to buy in Athens. eSIM is the top choice for island-hopping itineraries where buying a local SIM is less practical and EU roaming covers connections to other European destinations. A local SIM from Cosmote starts at $11 and requires passport registration. Choose eSIM if your phone supports it and you value convenience. Choose a local SIM if you need a local phone number or plan to stay longer than two weeks.
Helpful guides
- eSIM vs Local SIM: Which to Choose
- eSIM Setup Guide (iPhone and Android)
- SIM Registration Requirements
- eSIM Guide for Europe
SIM card guides for nearby countries
Traveling beyond Greece? These guides cover nearby destinations.
