Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell tourist prepaids for EUR 15-25 with passport registration. Small islands do not always have an official store: buy in Athens if you go that route.
You buy online before the trip, receive the QR by e-mail in minutes and install it on Wi-Fi the night before. On landing, it connects to the local networks on its own. No store, no queue, no passport registration at a counter. At VoaSim, truly unlimited from USD 1.79/day, with an invoice on every purchase and a full refund if it never connects.
| Travel eSIM | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| When you connect | On landing | After finding a store and doing the paperwork |
| Paperwork | None | Passport registration in most cases |
| Your usual number | Stays active (dual SIM) | The chip comes out: you lose your bank SMS |
| Data | Unlimited (VoaSim) | Fixed GB package |
| Multiple countries | The same profile keeps working | A new SIM in every country |
| Price | Fixed, from USD 1.79/day | Variable; cheap per unit, plus paperwork and time |
The big islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete) have good signal in the towns; in hidden coves and on ferries between islands the signal comes and goes. Cosmote is usually the strongest network on the islands.
eSIM for tourist trips of up to 30-60 days, multi-country itineraries and anyone who wants to land connected with zero paperwork. Local SIM if you are staying months in Greece or your phone has no eSIM. More destination details at eSIM for Greece.
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