Mobile internet

Will my phone work in Greece?

Explore the different options and learn how to use your cell phone in Greece, and learn how a travel eSIM is your best option for traveling abroad.

Yes, your phone will work in Greece, but you have to think about what’s the best option to stay connected while exploring Athens or Mykonos.

This guide will take you through the options for using your cell phone in Greece, including what they offer, their prices, and key details to consider before your trip.

Plus, we talk about how a travel eSIM can help you reduce costs without sacrificing the reliable internet you’ll need.

In this article

4.5 /5

Highly rated Based on 70.000 customer reviews on Trustpilot

+1M Trusted worldwide Over 1 million travelers across the globe have trusted Holafly

Unlimited data Limitless data plans in more than 170 destinations

With Holafly, you save +30% compared to roaming fees

Buy eSIM

Plans that may interest you

Can I use my phone in Greece?

Yes, you can use your phone in Greece, but there are two things to check:

Unlocked phone: US phones are usually carrier-locked, meaning you have to unlock them before traveling, or you’ll have to rely on roaming. UK phones don’t have this issue because, starting in 2021, all phones are carrier-unlocked.
Frequency bands: US and UK phones should work fine, as Greece uses GSM frequency bands, but it’s always good to double-check this.

Once you’ve checked these things, you need to choose a reliable international plan, as roaming isn’t the most cost-effective option.

How to use your cell phone in Greece

Depending on whether you’ve got a locked or unlocked cell phone, you have up to four options to stay connected in Greece.

Let’s see what each one offers.

eSIM for Greece

If you have a carrier-unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone, using an eSIM is your best option.

With the Holafly eSIM for Greece, you can get a reliable connection with unlimited data, up to 500 MB of hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, 5G high-speed data, and an easy activation process.

Pricing starts at $3.90 daily, and the longer you stay, the cheaper the eSIM. A 10-day trip costs $36.90, meaning you pay $3.69 daily, cheaper than roaming.

Roaming in Greece

Depending on where you’re traveling from, carriers can offer free roaming in Greece with some of their plans.

For UK carriers, all O2 plans, Three Value and Complete plans, some EE plans, and Vodafone UK users who joined before August 11, international roaming in Greece is free.

Plans without free roaming offer travel passes, which range from £2 to £2.57 daily to £31.50 for a whole month of international use.

For US carriers, there are high roaming fees. An international day pass can cost up to $12 with unlimited calling, texts, and data, and up to $50 for a 30-day pass with limited data.

Pay-as-you-go plans are also available, but these cost up to $2.05/MB, meaning you can spend over $100 on Instagram alone, without including any extra charge for calls and texts.

Physical SIM card for Greece

If you have a SIM-only phone, you can buy a local SIM card from local carriers, such as Vodafone, Nova, and Cosmote, which offer tourist-tailored plans for international travel.

With a Gre e ce SIM card, you can find plans ranging from limited to unlimited data, including a limited amount of texts and calls, with pricing ranging from €13 to €27 (~$14.98 to $31.11 USD).

Pocket WiFi for Greece

Renting a pocket WiFi is a good option for remote workers or large groups of travelers, but the rental price is almost the same as using international roaming.

A one-week plan can cost over $100 with limited mobile data plans, without including things like delivery, or including add-ons such as a portable charger.

But there’s an alternative to avoid renting a pocket WiFi, which is Holafly Plans. It includes unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, high-speed data, and coverage in over 170 destinations with a single eSIM.

The Unlimited Plan costs $64.90 monthly, making it the best option for traveling internationally to avoid paying too much for a pocket WiFi.

Will your phone work in Greece? The verdict

Yes, your phone will work in Greece, but you need to choose the best option to avoid paying high roaming fees without sacrificing your internet quality.

If you have a carrier-locked phone, roaming and pocket WiFi devices are the two options for using your mobile phone in Greece, but these can be quite expensive.

Using a Greek SIM card is a good option if you don’t have an eSIM phone, as these offer excellent cellular coverage and different tourist plans; however, the purchase process can be a bit tedious.

That’s why using an eSIM to get international data is a better option. You can choose from daily plans with the eSIM for Greece or choose Holafly Plans for longer trips.

These also include other services for a top experience when traveling abroad, such as hotspot data, 5G data speeds, great phone coverage, and 24/7 customer support for half the price of international roaming.

If you’re traveling to other countries in Europe, here’s how you can use your cell phone there:

FAQs

Will I be charged to use my phone in Greece?

If you’re using roaming, you’ll be charged with roaming passes or pay-as-you-go based on your texts, calls, and data usage. If you’re not using roaming, you’ll be charged for the service you use.

Is there free roaming in Greece?

Yes, UK carriers offer free roaming in Greece with selected international plans, which are their most expensive options.

Should I get a SIM card in Greece?

If you have a SIM-only phone, getting a local SIM card is your best option to save money while still getting a reliable internet connection.

Can I buy a SIM card in Greece airport?

Yes, Vodafone, Nova, and Cosmote have some stores at local airports where you can buy a local SIM card.

Plans that may interest you

Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

Read full bio