SIM card for Greece: Best options, prices, and places to buy in 2026

Do I need a SIM card in Greece?

If your mobile plan comes from an EU or EEA country, you probably don’t need to buy a SIM card in Greece. Under EU roaming regulations, travelers can generally use calls, texts, and mobile data from their domestic allowance in Greece without a roaming surcharge. Fair-use limits can still apply, particularly to unlimited plans or longer stays.

If your plan comes from outside the EU or EEA, check your carrier’s roaming fees before you leave. US, Canadian, Australian, and other non-EU plans may charge substantially more for international roaming than a Greek prepaid SIM card or travel eSIM. UK travelers should also check their individual plan — EU roaming is no longer guaranteed after Brexit, although some UK carriers and packages still include it.

Mobile data is particularly useful in Greece for checking ferry changes, buying tickets, and navigating unfamiliar roads or neighborhoods with Google Maps. Wi-Fi is widespread in hotels, cafés, and tavernas, but it won’t help when you’re walking, driving, or waiting at a ferry port. 

For most travelers, the choice therefore comes down to three options — a Greek prepaid SIM, a travel eSIM, or roaming through a home carrier.

Can I use my US phone in Greece?

Most recent US smartphones work in Greece, as long as they’re carrier unlocked for use with a Greek SIM card or third-party eSIM. If you plan to use an eSIM, also check that your particular device supports eSIM technology.

Compatibility also comes down to network bands. Greek networks operate on standard European frequencies, including 800/1800/2100/2600 MHz for 4G and 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz for 5G. Most iPhones, Google Pixel phones, and major Samsung models support these bands, but very old or carrier-locked US devices might run into problems. 

💡 Pro tip: Greece uses 230V electricity and type C and F plugs, so US travelers will normally need a plug adapter.

Best SIM card for Greece: The three networks compared

Greece has three main mobile networks — Telekom, Vodafone, and Nova. Telekom was known as Cosmote until recently, so travelers will still encounter the Cosmote name and references to a Cosmote SIM card for Greece in older articles, signs, and search results. The rebrand began in September 2026, with Cosmote services, stores, apps, and network branding moving to the Telekom name.

For most visitors, Telekom is the best physical SIM card for Greece, especially for island hopping or traveling outside major towns where coverage matters most. Vodafone is a strong all-around alternative, while Nova is a good prepaid data option if your trip is mainly in populated areas.

Current prepaid packages and promotions change regularly, so it’s worth checking the provider’s latest prices shortly before buying. 

The information about eSIM plan details in this comparison was last verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites, specifically their English-language sites, on September 8, 2026, and is subject to change. Prices shown are listed without discounts.

Telekom (formerly Cosmote): The best coverage in Greece

Telekom (Cosmote) is part of Deutsche Telekom Group and is the safest physical SIM choice if your itinerary takes you beyond Athens, Thessaloniki, and the major resort areas. Telekom’s prepaid brands include WHAT’S UP and Frog — you can see these names separately in shops even though they use the same underlying network.

The network’s performance was measured under the Cosmote name in Opensignal’s March 2026 Mobile Network Experience report on Greece, where it scored 8.4 out of 10 for the Coverage Experience metric, ahead of Vodafone at 7.6 and Nova at 6.6. It also received Opensignal’s overall Best Network award.

The trade-off is price. Telekom is not always the cheapest option per gigabyte, but the stronger coverage can be worth paying for if you plan to move around rather than spend the entire trip in one city or resort.

Vodafone Greece: A balanced value

A Vodafone SIM card is a good middle-ground choice for travelers who want competitive prepaid prices with broad coverage. Opensignal ranked it second for the Coverage Experience metric in Greece in March 2026, behind Telekom but ahead of Nova. 

Its CU prepaid range (Vodafone’s budget brand) includes several 30-day bundles. As of September 2026, the standard CU Combo Stream plan includes 15 GB, unlimited domestic call minutes, and 50 SMS for €14.50. Larger packages are also available.

Vodafone is a good fit for travelers staying mainly in cities or established tourist areas and don’t need Telekom’s extra coverage reach. 

Nova (formerly Wind): The cheapest option

Nova, formerly known as Wind Hellas, is generally one of the more budget-friendly options, and older Greece SIM card guides may still refer to the network as Wind. Its FREE2GO range includes standard 30-day prepaid plans as well as short-term tourist bundles with much larger data allowances for heavy data users.

What it lacks in is coverage. Opensignal placed Nova behind both Telekom and Vodafone for the Coverage Experience metric in its March 2026 report, so it may be less suitable for trips involving remote villages, small islands, or long drives away from populated areas. For travelers staying mainly in major cities, such as Athens or Thessaloniki, or on a larger island, Nova can offer good value if price and data allowance matter more than the widest possible coverage. 

Greek SIM cards with unlimited data

“Unlimited” doesn’t always mean unlimited high-speed data, so check the fair-use terms before choosing a plan. Some Greek prepaid providers run unlimited data plans for particular periods or packages, while travel eSIM providers may offer unlimited plans with a daily high-speed allowance.

Saily’s unlimited eSIM plans, for example, provide 5 GB of full-speed data during each 24-hour period. After that allowance is used, speeds are reduced for the remainder of the daily period before the high-speed allowance resets.

Unlimited data makes the most sense if you intend to hotspot a laptop, make frequent video calls, or stream heavily. For a typical one- or two-week vacation using data mainly for maps, messaging, bookings, and social media, a fixed 10-20 GB plan is usually more than enough.

The information about eSIM features in this comparison was last verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites, specifically their English-language sites, on September 8, 2026, and is subject to change.

How much does a SIM card for Greece cost?

A Greek prepaid SIM with a 30-day data bundle generally costs around €14-20 (about US$16-23), with the SIM itself usually included in the price. The total depends on the network, the amount of data included, and whether the package includes calls and SMS. You may also need to add a particular top-up amount before activating the package.

SIM cards sold at airports are convenient but may offer fewer package choices than carrier stores in town. If price matters more than getting connected immediately after baggage claim, it’s worth comparing the available options once you reach Athens or another city.

A travel eSIM can start much lower. Saily’s current Greece plans start at US$4.49 for 1 GB valid for seven days, with larger fixed-data and unlimited options also available.

Where to buy a SIM card in Greece

You can buy a SIM card in Greece from many street kiosks, known locally as periptera, as well as mobile carrier stores, airports, and some convenience stores. Kiosks are common across Greek towns and cities and are some of the most convenient places to look for prepaid SIMs and top-ups, although the networks and plans available vary by location.

Bring your passport when buying a physical prepaid SIM. Greek prepaid mobile accounts must be registered to an identified user, so your details will need to be recorded before the SIM is activated. If you would rather arrange everything before you arrive, you can buy and install a travel eSIM online instead.

At Athens International Airport and other airports

You can buy a SIM card at Athens International Airport. SIM Local has outlets in the public arrivals area at Exit 1 and in the non-Schengen baggage reclaim area as well as vending machines in other arrivals locations. The staffed outlets currently operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm, although opening hours can change.

Buying at the airport means you can get connected before taking the metro, bus, taxi, or rental car, but convenience may come with a smaller choice of plans or a higher price than you would find in town.

SIM availability at Thessaloniki, Heraklion, and smaller island airports varies, particularly for late evening or early morning arrivals, meaning you can’t be certain a staffed mobile outlet will still be open when you land.

In carrier stores, kiosks, and from street vendors

You can find Telekom, Germanos, Vodafone, and Nova stores throughout Greek cities and on many larger islands. Since Telekom’s retail stores are in the process of changing over from the former Cosmote branding, you may still see both names during the transition.

Buying directly from a carrier store has one major advantage — staff can register and activate the SIM card, set up your package, and check that your internet connection is working before you leave. A local prepaid SIM also gives you a Greek (+30) phone number, which can be useful if you need to receive local phone calls or texts during your stay.

Selected Greek street kiosks sell prepaid SIM cards as well as mobile top-ups. A new SIM still requires identification and activation, while top-ups for an existing prepaid number are much more widely available.

Some convenience stores and smaller supermarkets, including OK! Anytime Market, Smile, and AB Shop & Go, may also sell prepaid SIMs or top-ups, although the choice is usually more limited. 

In Athens, you may also encounter branded street sellers offering prepaid SIM cards, particularly in busy central areas. These can be convenient and sometimes inexpensive, but make sure the seller clearly represents a named mobile operator before handing over your passport. Stay until the SIM has been activated and test the data connection before walking away.

Online and before you travel

It’s possible to order some of the physical travel SIM cards online before leaving home, but shipping takes time and can add to the cost.

Using an eSIM eliminates that step. You can install your eSIM before you travel, keep your physical home SIM in the phone, and connect when you arrive without looking for a mobile shop after your flight.

Arriving already connected is particularly handy if you land late at night, travel straight from the airport to an island, or simply don’t want to start your Greek vacation by standing in another queue.

Island and ferry coverage in Greece

All three Greek mobile networks provide reliable connectivity across the major Greek islands and popular resorts, but coverage becomes less predictable on smaller islands, remote beaches, mountain roads, and sparsely populated areas.

On ferries, expect the strongest signal near ports and while traveling close to the coast. Once the ferry moves farther into open water, mobile coverage may become intermittent or disappear altogether.

Download your ferry tickets, accommodation details, offline maps, and entertainment, like movies or podcasts, before boarding because you may lose data coverage during the crossing.

If you are visiting several islands or traveling well beyond the main tourist routes, Telekom is generally the strongest physical SIM option based on current coverage measurements. Keep in mind that no SIM or eSIM can create a signal where the underlying local network has no coverage, so offline maps remain useful whichever provider you choose.

eSIM for Greece: The easier alternative

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into a compatible phone, so you have no plastic card to swap or lose. You just buy a plan online and follow the activation instructions to install the eSIM.

For a trip to Greece, you can set the eSIM up before leaving home and connect to the internet automatically when you arrive — without visiting a store or presenting your passport. You can also keep your main SIM in your phone.

Saily offers eSIM plans for Greece from US$4.49, with fixed packages from 1 GB to 20 GB and unlimited options lasting between five and 30 days. The Saily eSIM works in 200+ destinations and includes built-in security tools such as web protection, an ad blocker, and a virtual location changer.

Saily is also no longer strictly data only. Travelers can add a US (+1) phone number and purchase call and SMS plans through the Saily app. However, this is a US number, not a Greek (+30) one. If you specifically need a local Greek number for an extended stay or local services, a physical Greek SIM is the better choice. Comparing an eSIM vs. a physical SIM card can help if you’re unsure which option will suit your trip. 

Before buying a travel eSIM, make sure your phone supports eSIM technology. eSIM-compatible devices include an iPhone XS and newer models, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, and recent Google Pixel phones, although support can vary by region and carrier. 

Which eSIM works for both Greece and Turkey?

If your trip combines Greece and Turkey, check your plan coverage carefully. Turkey is outside the EU and EEA, so the EU’s “roam like at home” rules don’t apply. Not every regional European eSIM plan includes Turkey either. 

Saily’s eSIM for Europe covers 35 destinations and includes both Greece and Turkey, allowing you to cross between the two without replacing a physical SIM or buying a second country plan. Travelers visiting only Turkey can also choose a dedicated eSIM for Turkey.

One important detail — Saily advises users traveling to Turkey to set up the eSIM before departure because access to the Saily eSIM app may be restricted there.

For Greece combined with Albania or North Macedonia, check the regional or international plan country list before buying because neither country is covered by EU roaming rules.

How many GB of data do you need for a trip to Greece?

For 10 days in Greece, around 5-8 GB is enough for most travelers using mobile data for maps, ferry information, messages, social media, and bookings, while saving heavier uploads and streaming for Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi is widely available in Greek hotels, apartments, cafés, and restaurants, so using it for photo backups, video uploads, and streaming can make a relatively small mobile data allowance last much longer.

Island hopping can increase mobile data use because you are more likely to check ferry updates, navigate unfamiliar ports, make last-minute bookings, and download information while moving around. If you are visiting three or more islands, moving up one data tier gives you more breathing room.

With Saily, you can also top up through the app if you underestimate your usage, rather than trying to find a place to add data to a physical prepaid SIM halfway through the trip.

Quick recap: How to stay connected in Greece

Match your travel style to the right option. If you:

• Have a EU or EEA mobile plan — check your fair-use allowance before traveling.

• Need a SIM for island hopping or rural travel — choose Telekom.

• Want a balanced local option — take Vodafone CU.

• Look for budget or high-data promotions — check current Nova FREE2GO offers.

• Want to arrive connected without visiting a store — use a travel eSIM such as Saily.

• Travel to Greece and Turkey — choose a regional plan that explicitly covers both countries.

• Need a Greek (+30) number or plan to stay for several months — buy a local SIM card from one of the Greek networks. 

For non-EU visitors who mainly need mobile data, a Saily eSIM for Greece can be installed before departure and activated upon arrival. You can also download the Saily eSIM app before your trip.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!