Best eSIM for Greece 2026: Complete Island, Network & Coverage Guide

Why You Need an eSIM for Greece in 2026

Greece received over 33 million tourists in 2025 — a record year, thanks in large part to island-hoppers, cruise passengers, and a surge of digital nomads. Whether you’re admiring that Santorini sunset, navigating the Athens Metro, or catching a ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos, you’ll want mobile data from the moment you touch down.

But there’s a key piece of information many guides fail to mention: if you’re visiting Greece from outside the EU, your home roaming plan may not work the way you expect — and even EU visitors face limits they don’t know about. At the same time, Greece’s ferry system throws up dead zones that catch unprepared travelers off guard.

This guide covers Greece’s mobile networks, island-to-island coverage, how to avoid the EU roaming trap, how to stay connected on ferries, and why an eSIM is the cheaper and easier option compared to buying a local SIM at Athens Airport.

Greece’s Mobile Networks: Which Carrier Should Your eSIM Use?

Greece has three mobile operators, and coverage can differ dramatically between the mainland and the islands.

Cosmote (OTE Group) — Best Overall Coverage

Cosmote is Greece’s largest carrier with around 48% market share. Owned by Deutsche Telekom, they have by far the best geographical coverage — the strongest infrastructure across the Greek islands, rural areas, and mountainous mainland regions. Cosmote is the only carrier with reliable coverage on the smaller Cycladic islands and the more remote Dodecanese islands. If your eSIM routes through Cosmote, you have the best coverage for island hopping in Greece.

Vodafone Greece — Good Urban Coverage

Vodafone holds about 30% market share and offers solid coverage in Athens, Thessaloniki, and well-trafficked islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Coverage drops significantly on smaller islands and in rural areas of the mainland. Fine for a city-focused trip, but not for serious island hopping.

Wind Hellas (Nova) — Budget Option, Limited Coverage

Wind (also branded as Nova in some markets) has roughly 22% market share. Sufficient for Athens and Thessaloniki, but the weakest option on the islands and in rural areas. Not recommended if you’re planning to leave the two major cities.

5G in Greece

Greece’s 5G rollout is still limited in most tourist areas, though Cosmote leads the deployment. Real-world speeds sit in the 100-300 Mbps range in 5G zones, with 20-60 Mbps on 4G/LTE elsewhere. For tourists, 4G/LTE is plenty for everything you need — even on the larger islands, 5G coverage is still very patchy.

The EU Roaming Trap: Why Non-EU Visitors Need an eSIM for Greece

This is the most misunderstood part of Greek travel connectivity — and no competitor guide explains it properly.

If You’re From the EU/EEA

You can use your home mobile plan in Greece thanks to the EU/EEA’s “Roam Like At Home” regulation — at the same price as using your phone at home. Except there are limits. Most European plans have a Fair Usage Policy for roaming data. Even if you have a “truly unlimited” plan back home, the roaming allowance may be capped at 10-15 GB per month. Exceed that and you’ll pay per GB. Check your operator’s roaming FUP before banking on it for an extended Greek holiday.

If You’re From Outside the EU (UK, US, Canada, Australia)

Your home roaming rates in Greece will be eye-wateringly expensive. Non-EU roaming typically costs €5-15 per MB — meaning an hour of navigation could run you €50+. Many US and UK travelers arrive in Greece thinking their “international plan” has them covered, only to get hit with a nasty bill.

An international eSIM solves this completely. You buy a fixed data package at a known price with no surprises. A week of data costs a fraction of what one day of roaming charges would.

UK Post-Brexit Warning

Since Brexit, UK mobile carriers are no longer bound by EU roaming regulations. Most UK networks have reintroduced roaming charges for Greece, and that “free EU roaming” many UK travelers remember is no longer the case. An eSIM is essential for UK visitors to Greece — don’t assume your plan still covers you.

eSIM Coverage in Greece by Destination

Greece is a land of over 200 inhabited islands and a rugged mountainous mainland. Coverage between destinations varies enormously.

Athens

Coverage: Excellent on all networks. All three carriers provide strong signal at the Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, Piraeus port, and all major tourist areas. The Athens Metro maintains coverage underground. Athens Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) has strong signal to activate your eSIM immediately upon arrival.

Santorini

Coverage: Good in main towns, variable on cliffs. Fira, Oia, Kamari Beach, and Perissa have reliable coverage from Cosmote and Vodafone. Signal along the famous caldera cliffside — where many hotels and restaurants sit — can drop out due to the rocky terrain. Cosmote is the best performer in cliff areas. The volcanic beach and the trail from Fira to Oia have decent coverage. Note that in July and August, when the island swells from 15,000 permanent residents to 50,000+ daily visitors, network congestion becomes noticeable.

Mykonos

Coverage: Good in town, patchy on remote beaches. Cosmote, Vodafone, and Wind all cover Mykonos Town (Chora), the port, and the popular Paradise and Super Paradise beach areas. Remote northern beaches and the island’s interior can have weaker signal. Summer congestion is real here too — during peak party season, thousands of visitors strain the networks.

Crete

Coverage: Strong on the north coast, variable elsewhere. Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon, and Agios Nikolaos are well covered. All resorts on the popular north coast have reliable signal. However, the Samaria Gorge has zero coverage for its entire 16 km length — Cosmote signals only at the start (Omalos) and end (Agia Roumeli). Remote south coast beaches like Elafonisi and Preveli get basic Cosmote coverage but weak or no signal from Vodafone and Wind. Crete’s mountain interior has significant dead zones on all networks.

Rhodes and the Dodecanese

Coverage: Good in main towns, thinner on small islands. Rhodes Town, Lindos, and Faliraki are well covered. Smaller Dodecanese islands — Symi, Kalymnos, Karpathos — have less coverage, especially away from the main harbours. Cosmote is the most reliable carrier across the entire Dodecanese chain.

Corfu and the Ionian Islands

Coverage: Good on Corfu, variable elsewhere. Corfu Town and east coast resorts have strong coverage. The mountainous west coast is patchier. Kefalonia and Zakynthos (Zante) have coverage in main tourist areas, but signal drops on Ithaca and the more remote parts of Lefkada. Cosmote leads for coverage across the Ionian islands.

Cycladic Islands (Paros, Naxos, Milos)

Coverage: Main towns good, elsewhere variable. Popular Cycladic islands have coverage in their port towns and tourist areas. Naxos has the best overall coverage thanks to being the largest island. Milos, Folegandros, and Sifnos are more variable outside their main settlements. Remote beaches, hiking paths, and the interior of smaller islands often have no signal. Cosmote covers the most ground across the Cyclades.

Ferry Routes

Coverage: Expect dead zones mid-crossing. You’ll have signal when leaving port and approaching your destination, but ferries lose mobile signal for 30-60% of the crossing while at sea. Longer routes — Piraeus to Santorini takes 5-8 hours — involve prolonged offline periods. Some modern high-speed ferries offer WiFi, but it’s typically slow and shared among hundreds of passengers. Download ferry e-tickets, accommodation details, and offline maps before boarding.

Island Hopping with an eSIM: The Practical Guide

Ferries between the islands are a highlight of any Greece trip — but you need to plan your connectivity in advance.

Before You Board

• Screenshot your ferry booking confirmation and e-ticket.
• Download offline Google Maps for your destination island.
• Save your hotel address and phone number offline.
• Check that your ferry company app (Blue Star, Hellenic Seaways, SeaJets) can display tickets offline.
• Message your accommodation with your expected arrival time while you still have signal.

Island Coverage Ranking for Hopping Routes

• Best coverage: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos — strong Cosmote + Vodafone in all main areas.
• Good coverage: Paros, Naxos, Zakynthos, Kos — reliable in towns, decent on beaches.
• Basic coverage: Milos, Sifnos, Hydra, Skiathos — Cosmote in towns, gaps elsewhere.
• Limited coverage: Folegandros, Amorgos, Alonissos, Kastellorizo — Cosmote only, limited to main settlements.

Seasonal Network Congestion

Greece’s tourism is intensely seasonal. Islands like Santorini and Mykonos that see the heaviest tourist traffic experience visible network slowdowns when infrastructure built for small permanent populations gets overwhelmed by massive visitor numbers in July and August. Expect speeds to drop 40-60% at peak afternoon and evening times. Early morning is best for large uploads and video calls from popular islands.

How to Choose the Best eSIM Plan for Greece

Short City Trips (1-5 Days)

A weekend in Athens or Thessaloniki? 1-3 GB is sufficient with hotel WiFi handling heavy usage. More than enough for Google Maps, messaging, restaurant searches, and social media.

Standard Island Trips (7-14 Days)

Visiting 2-3 islands with some mainland time? 5-10 GB is ideal. Islands are less likely to have reliable WiFi compared to mainland cities, so you’ll use more mobile data for navigation, restaurant booking, and sharing photos.

Island-Hopping Adventures (14-21 Days)

Multi-island tours with ferry connections? 10-15 GB covers comfortable daily use. WiFi on smaller islands is unreliable, so you’ll lean on mobile data more heavily.

Extended Stays (30+ Days)

Working remotely from Greece or turning a summer holiday into a longer stay? Depending on your work requirements, 20-40 GB is reasonable. eSimy offers great value on larger plans for extended trips.

eSIM vs Buying a SIM at Athens Airport

There are Cosmote, Vodafone, and Wind/Nova shops in the arrivals hall. But here’s why grabbing an eSimy eSIM before you fly is the better move:

• Airport SIMs cost 30-50% more than the same plans sold in city shops.
• Queuing in the crowded arrivals hall during summer can take 20-40 minutes.
• Passport registration is required — Greek law mandates ID verification for every physical SIM purchase.
• Language barrier — Discussing plan options in a second language takes time, even when staff speak English.
• Physical SIM takes your slot — Your home SIM gets ejected, meaning you lose your own number for calls and SMS.

With an eSIM, you install during your flight, activate in a minute once you land, and keep your home SIM active to receive calls and messages. Cheaper, faster, simpler.

How to Install and Activate Your Greece eSIM

Step 1: Buy Before You Fly

Browse eSimy’s Greece eSIM plans and choose a data package. Purchase before you leave home so everything is ready before you arrive.

Step 2: Install the eSIM Profile

Scan the QR code to install the eSIM profile on your phone. This does NOT start your data plan — it simply downloads and saves the profile to your device.

On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code

On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code

Step 3: Activate at the Airport

When you land at Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, or any airport in Greece, enable the eSIM data line. You’ll be connected by the time you clear passport control — ready to book a taxi or check your ferry schedule.

Step 4: Set Up Dual SIM

Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS. Set the eSIM as your data line. WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber (very popular in Greece), and all other messaging apps will continue working on your home number using the eSIM for data.

Essential Apps for Your Trip to Greece

• Google Maps — Download offline maps for every island you’re visiting. Greek street names can be confusing, and Google Maps handles them well. Data required for real-time navigation.
• FerryHopper — The best app for booking inter-island ferries. Compare routes, check schedules, and buy tickets. Requires data to search and book.
• BEAT (FreeNow) — The ride-hailing app for Athens. Works like Uber — book and track rides via the app. Essential for airport transfers and city travel. Requires data.
• Viber — Very popular in Greece. Many accommodation owners and businesses prefer communicating via Viber over WhatsApp.
• Google Translate — Camera translation helps with menus, signs, and labels in Greek. Requires data.
• TripAdvisor — Especially useful on islands where restaurant quality varies widely and reviews help you avoid tourist traps.

Greece Travel Tips That Save You Money

• Book ferries early in peak season. July and August ferries to popular islands sell out fast. Book in advance using FerryHopper or directly through ferry company websites (requires data).
• Check your roaming charges before traveling. Post-Brexit, UK plans often charge for roaming in Greece. An eSIM is nearly always cheaper than your carrier’s daily roaming fee.
• Download offline maps for every island. Regardless of island size, you may hit dead zones between towns. Offline maps are your backup for both driving and hiking.
• Bring cash to small islands. Most businesses in Athens and major islands accept cards, but many small island tavernas and shops are cash-only. ATMs exist on most inhabited islands, but they can run out of cash during peak season.
• Use BEAT instead of taxis at Athens Airport. The app gives fixed prices and eliminates the tourist surcharge that airport taxis sometimes apply.
• Don’t rely on ferry WiFi. Some ferries advertise WiFi, but it’s usually slow and shared among hundreds of passengers. Use your eSIM data when you have signal, and go offline when you don’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my EU roaming in Greece instead of an eSIM?

If you have an EU/EEA mobile plan, you can roam in Greece under “Roam Like At Home” rules — but with Fair Usage limits, typically 10-15 GB on unlimited plans. Non-EU visitors (UK, US, Canada, Australia) face extremely high roaming costs. UK travelers should note that post-Brexit, most UK carriers charge for roaming in Greece. An eSIM is significantly cheaper and more predictable for all non-EU visitors.

What network has the best coverage for island hopping?

Cosmote (OTE Group) has significantly better island coverage than Vodafone or Wind/Nova. It covers more islands and more completely. If you’re visiting multiple islands, make sure your eSIM routes through Cosmote. The difference is especially noticeable on smaller Cycladic and Dodecanese islands.

Will my eSIM work on ferries between islands?

You’ll have signal at departure and arrival ports, but expect to lose signal for 30-60% of the crossing in open water. Longer routes (5-8 hours) mean longer offline periods. Download ferry e-tickets, maps, and accommodation details before boarding. Some modern high-speed ferries have onboard WiFi, but it’s unreliable.

Does Santorini have good mobile coverage?

Fira, Oia, and main beach towns have reliable coverage from Cosmote and Vodafone. Caldera cliff areas can have spotty signal due to terrain. During peak season (July-August), the network experiences notable slowdowns from the sheer volume of visitors.

Is there mobile coverage in the Samaria Gorge?

No. The entire 16 km of the Samaria Gorge on Crete has no mobile coverage. You’ll have signal at the start in Omalos and at the end in Agia Roumeli. Download offline maps and gather all necessary information before entering the gorge.

How much data do I need for a week in Greece?

An average tourist using maps, messaging, ferry booking apps, restaurant searches, and social media will use about 5-7 GB per week. Island stays tend to consume more data than mainland cities due to unreliable WiFi. Heavy social media users and streamers should budget 10+ GB per week.

Do I need to register my eSIM in Greece?

No. International eSIMs do not require registration in Greece. If you buy a physical SIM card in Greece, you’ll need to present your passport — but eSIMs from international providers like eSimy are exempt from this requirement.

Is 5G available in Greece?

5G is currently limited to Athens, Thessaloniki, and select areas of Crete. Most Greek islands have only 4G/LTE coverage. Cosmote is the leading 5G provider. However, 4G speeds (20-60 Mbps) are more than enough for all tourist activities including video calls and streaming.

Can I use Uber in Greece?

Uber operates in very few locations in Greece. In Athens, use BEAT (FreeNow) — the leading ride-hailing app. It works like Uber: book and pay through the app using your eSIM data. BEAT is the best way to get a fair-priced taxi ride in Athens.

Will WhatsApp and Viber work on my eSIM?

Yes. Set your eSIM as your data line and keep your home SIM for calls and SMS. WhatsApp, Viber (extremely popular in Greece), Messenger, and all other messaging apps will continue working on your original number while using the eSIM for data.