Greek SIM Cards and Mobile Plans: Telekom, Vodafone and Nova Compared
Buying a Greek SIM is a short visit to a phone shop if you bring ID. Here is how prepaid and contract plans compare, what eSIM options exist and how home internet bundles work.
Greece has three mobile networks: Telekom (the new brand name of Cosmote), Vodafone and Nova. As of November 2026, prepaid 30-day data packs cost roughly €10–20 and contracts roughly €20–50 a month. Every SIM must be registered with a passport, national ID card or residence permit, which the shop checks when you buy it.
Visitors with a SIM from another EU country can use it in Greece at home prices under EU roaming rules, within their own plan’s fair-use limits. A Greek number becomes useful once you live here: banks, utilities, gov.gr services and many employers send codes by text to a Greek mobile.
Which mobile networks operate in Greece?
All three networks are national, with 4G nearly everywhere people live and 5G in cities and many towns. Smaller operators resell space on these networks.
| Network | Background | Prepaid brands |
|---|---|---|
| Telekom | Part of the OTE group, majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom; traded as Cosmote until its rebrand to Telekom | Prepaid plans under the Telekom name, plus the youth brand What’s Up |
| Vodafone | Vodafone Greece | CU and Vodafone prepaid (kartokinito) |
| Nova | Formed from the merger of Wind Hellas and Nova | Q and Nova prepaid packages |
Older signs, receipts and websites may still show the Cosmote name. Existing Cosmote numbers, SIMs and accounts carry on under Telekom.
Prepaid or contract: which is cheaper?
Prepaid (kartokinito) suits newcomers and anyone staying less than a year. You top up when you want, there is no credit check and no minimum term. Contracts (symvolaio) give more data per euro, usually tie you in for 12 or 24 months and need more paperwork.
| Prepaid | Contract | |
|---|---|---|
| Rough cost as of November 2026 | About €10–20 for a 30-day pack with several to around 20 GB | About €20–50 a month, more for unlimited data |
| Commitment | None; packs expire after their validity period | Usually 12 or 24 months |
| Documents | Passport, ID card or residence permit | ID plus, usually, AFM (tax number), proof of address and a bank account or card for billing |
| Best for | First months in Greece, students, visitors | Residents with an AFM, families, heavy data users |
Prices change with frequent promotions, and the advertised contract price often depends on bundling with home internet or TV. For example, in November 2026 Telekom’s site advertised a 9 GB contract at a discounted monthly price well below its list price. Compare the price after any promotional months end.
What ID do you need to register a SIM?
Greek law requires every prepaid and contract SIM to be registered to a named person. The shop scans your document when you buy the SIM, and the number is activated once the registration is complete.
- Go to an operator’s own shop or an authorized dealer. Supermarkets and kiosks sell top-up vouchers but are not the place to register a new SIM.
- Bring your passport, EU national ID card or Greek residence permit.
- For a contract, bring your AFM as well. Our guide to getting an AFM tax number in Greece explains how to get one.
- Choose a pack or plan, pay and wait for activation, which usually takes minutes.
- Keep the card with your PUK code in a safe place.
Registration rules also apply to eSIMs sold by Greek operators. Travel eSIMs bought from foreign providers online follow that provider’s own rules and give you data only, often without a Greek number.
Can you get an eSIM from a Greek operator?
Yes, all three networks offer eSIMs on at least some plans. Availability for prepaid lines has varied by operator, and some require a visit to a shop for the identity check before they send the QR code. Ask in store if your phone and the plan you want support eSIM, and if you can switch an existing physical SIM to eSIM later.
What is coverage like on the islands?
Coverage is good in towns and along main roads on the large islands, and all three networks cover the main ferry ports. Signal can drop in mountain villages, on small islands and in coves under cliffs. On ferries, expect gaps in the middle of longer crossings.
No single network is best everywhere. If you spend a lot of time on one island, ask neighbors which network works best in your village, or check the coverage maps on the operators’ websites. The Greek telecoms regulator, EETT, also publishes coverage and speed data.
How do home internet bundles work?
The same three companies sell home internet, usually bundled with a mobile plan and TV. Fiber to the home is spreading fast in Athens, but many older buildings still use VDSL over copper. Vodafone and others also sell home 4G/5G routers for flats without a fixed line.
- Check availability by address on the operator’s website before you sign. Speeds differ from building to building.
- Expect a contract, usually 12 or 24 months, with AFM, ID and proof of address.
- Installation can take from a few days to a few weeks, especially for new fiber lines.
- Bundle discounts often apply when you add a mobile contract on the same account.
Our guide to setting up utilities in an Athens flat covers internet alongside electricity and water, and the first 30 days in Athens checklist shows where the SIM fits in the order of paperwork.
Bottom line
Start with a prepaid SIM on your first day, using your passport, and keep the same number when you move to a contract: moving a number between Greek operators is free. Sign a contract only after you have an AFM and know which network works best in your building.
FAQ
Is Cosmote still a mobile network in Greece?
The network still exists, but the brand has changed. Cosmote now trades as Telekom, and existing Cosmote customers have been moved to the new brand.
Can a tourist buy a SIM card in Greece?
Yes. Bring your passport to an operator’s shop. Visitors from EU countries can often keep their home SIM, since EU roaming rules apply in Greece.
Do I need an AFM to get a Greek phone number?
Not for prepaid. A passport or ID is enough. Contracts usually require an AFM.
Can I keep my number if I switch networks?
Yes. You can move your Greek number to another operator by asking the new operator to transfer it. You need your ID, and prepaid users may need their SIM details.
