Greece · Connectivity · 2026

Staying online in Greece

EU roaming applies for EU/EEA visitors. Mainland coverage is strong; islands are mixed. Big tourist islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu) have full 4G/5G; small Cyclades + Dodecanese have 4G in main villages and 3G/2G in coves. Don't expect Naxos beach hammocks to load Instagram.

The eSIM route (recommended for most visitors)

Best provider: Airalo (Cosmote backbone) or Holafly.
Typical pricing: Airalo: $7 for 1GB / 7 days, $16 for 5GB / 30 days. Holafly: $24 unlimited / 5 days.

Cosmote has the best island coverage by a wide margin. If you're going to remote Cyclades, Cosmote-routed eSIMs beat Wind/Vodafone.

The local SIM route

Operators worth using: Cosmote (best coverage), Vodafone Greece, Wind.
Where to buy: Cosmote shops in every island main town. Passport required. Tourist plans: €15-20 for 30 GB / 30 days.
Registration: Greek law requires passport-linked SIM registration. Walk into a shop, takes 15-20 min.

Public WiFi

Hotels and resorts: good. Small tavernas: ask, often only at the bar. Ferries (Blue Star, Hellenic Seaways): free but loaded; works for messaging, not streaming.

Network speeds you'll actually see

5G in Athens, Thessaloniki, parts of Crete. 4G everywhere else with full coverage in tourist areas. Cyclades coves can drop to 3G/2G; downloading offline maps before sailing is the move.

Local apps to install before you arrive

Beat — primary taxi-hailing app in Athens; works in Thessaloniki + Crete
Uber — exists in Athens but Beat has better coverage
Ferryhopper — best inter-island ferry booking app
Open Sea — Hellenic Seaways' app; ticket scanning
Wolt — food delivery in cities

Last reviewed 10 May 2026. Roaming policies and eSIM pricing shift; check provider sites for current rates.