Mobile communication and internet in Greece: A comprehensive guide to choosing an operator and tariff

Mobile Communication and Internet in Greece: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing an Operator and Tariff

The Greek telecom market has finally moved onto the 5G track. While internet access on the islands used to be a lottery, today even in small bays of the Cyclades, a stable signal can be caught. However, choosing an operator is still critical: the difference in coverage and "hidden" contract terms can spoil your travel experience.

The Top Three: Who's Who?

There are three main network operators in Greece. All others (virtual) rent their capacities.

1. COSMOTE (Greek Telecom) Undisputed leader in coverage. By 2026, their 5G network covers more than 98% of the population.Pros: Gets signals where others "die" (mountains, remote islands, open sea on ferry).Cons: The highest prices in the market.Website: cosmote.gr
2. VODAFONE GREECE Main competitor to Cosmote, with a strong focus on youth tariffs (brand CU) and convergent services (internet + TV).Pros: Great offers for students and youth, integration with Disney+ and HBO.Cons: In rural areas, the signal may be unstable.Website: vodafone.gr
3. NOVA (formerly Wind) The most aggressive player in terms of pricing. After merging with Wind, the company actively invests in fiber optics and 5G.Pros: The lowest prices for unlimited packages (Unlimited All).Cons: The worst coverage among the "big three" outside of major cities.Website: nova.gr

Comparison of Popular Tariffs (Prepaid) - Spring 2026

Most expats and tourists choose the Prepaid system, as it does not require long-term commitments.

User Voices: Real Experience

To understand which operator is right for you, it's worth listening to those who have already "tested the connection in the field".

"I live in Crete in a small village. I tried Nova — there was almost no signal in the house. I switched to Cosmote. Now I can comfortably work on the terrace via 5G, with speeds up to 300 Mbps. Yes, it's a couple of euros more expensive, but nerves are more expensive."— Alexey, IT specialist (review from Reddit, 2025)

"If you're under 24, only take Vodafone CU. They constantly have some kind of 'promotions': unlimited internet on weekends for 2 euros, or free gigabytes for going to the movies. It works flawlessly in Athens."— Maria, student (Athens)

eSIM: The Future is Already Here

In 2026, Greek operators became much more lenient with eSIM.

• Where to get it: You can arrange for a local eSIM in any Germanos office (partner of Cosmote) or Vodafone in 10–15 minutes. All you need is a passport.
• International services: If you need internet right upon arrival, use Airalo or Yesim. But remember: a local SIM (+30 number) will always be 2–3 times cheaper for the same data volume.

5 Tips Before Buying

Avoid airports: At Athens Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), they often sell special "tourist packages" for 30–40 €. In any city office, the same data volume will cost you 15 €.

Tax Number (AFM): To buy a simple SIM (Prepaid), AFM is not needed — just a passport is enough. AFM will only be required for signing a contract for 12–24 months.

The app is a must-have: All control is done through apps (My Cosmote, My Vodafone). You can activate "Giga Week" (unlimited for a week) or gift gigabytes to friends there.

SIM card lifespan: If you do not top up your balance for 2–3 months, the number will be canceled. To keep the number, it is enough to top it up with a minimum of 12 € once a quarter.

Roaming in the EU: Greek SIM cards work great in the rest of Europe, but data volumes in roaming are usually limited (for example, out of 20 GB in Greece, only 12 GB will be available in the EU).