eSIM for Greece
Updated 2026-08-22
Networks and coverage
Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova share the market. Cosmote has the widest island coverage, which becomes noticeable once you get beyond Santorini and Mykonos.
On ferries between islands the signal drops for stretches, sometimes for hours. Mountain villages on Crete and in Epirus have patchy coverage, and on smaller Cycladic islands a single network may be all there is.
How much data do you need?
Greece is in the EU, so a Swedish plan with EU roaming works as at home. For most people that is the answer.
If you do need an eSIM, 5 GB covers a fortnight of maps, messaging and bookings. Island hopping while uploading photos each evening makes 10 GB the more realistic figure.
Practicalities on arrival
Activate the line and its data roaming as soon as you land in Athens or at the island airport, and turn data off on the Swedish subscription.
Download ferry timetables and maps before leaving port. Between islands the connection is the first thing to go and the thing you most want when a departure changes.
Common questions
- Does it work on the smaller islands?
- In the inhabited parts, yes. In uninhabited bays and during the boat crossing the signal can disappear entirely.
- When does validity start counting?
- When the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination, not when you buy or install it. You can prepare well in advance without losing days.
- Can I make calls with the eSIM?
- No, it is data only. Call over WhatsApp, Messenger or FaceTime, or keep your Swedish number active for ordinary calls.