Greece: Buy the Best SIM Cards | 2024 Guide

Greece – the birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games & the beginning of Philosophy.

The country has an impressive history, which is still visible throughout the country when exploring it.

Besides its history and culture, Greece is also a popular travel destination.

For some, especially the youth, it is an excellent destination for alcohol-fueled holidays.

For others, exploring its stunning nature is the main draw to the country.

Whatever you feel like doing in Greece, you certainly will not be bored – and want to share your experiences online.

But beware – international roaming can be expensive. Sometimes, it's like daylight robbery.

Luckily, using a local SIM card can make you avoid international roaming rates and instead enjoy local rates.

But, how much do SIM cards cost in Greece?

You can get a Greek SIM card for 5 EUR (5.35 USD) from COSMOTE, Vodafone & WIND in their stores. Sub-brand SIM cards (Frog Mobile, Q, Vodafone CU & What's Up) are also sold in their stores for the same price. SIM cards are also sold at airports, including Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH).

Note: Frog Mobile, a COSMOTE MVNO, SIM cards are not sold in every COSMOTE store, so you may have to shop around to find them if you truly want one

Just looking at the SIM card prices, no mobile operator has a clear advantage because they all sell them for the same nice price.

Of course, some are better than the others, but there is (luckily) no mobile operator that is so bad that you should avoid them at all costs in Greece.

But there are still some advantages of going with a particular mobile operator than another.

And I will tell you about that today.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Greece. Let’s go.

Original publication: 11th of September 2021. Last updated: 27th of November 2023.

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Table of Contents

What is the Best SIM Card in Greece?

If you want to buy the best SIM card in Greece, I recommend going with COSMOTE or What's Up. COSMOTE has the best overall network, with the best coverage and fastest speeds – even for 5G NR. What's Up is a COSMOTE sub-brand with slightly lower prices but full access to the COSMOTE network.

So, who are all these mobile operators and what options are available for you?

Greece has three mobile operators, three sub-brands and one Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) offering prepaid services easily accessible to tourists:

• COSMOTE Greece
• Vodafone Greece
• Nova Greece
• Frog Mobile (COSMOTE Greece MVNO)
• Q Greece (Nova Greece sub-brand)
• Vodafone CU (Vodafone Greece sub-brand)
• What's Up (COSMOTE sub-brand)

In this guide, I will stick to the mobile operators and the most popular MVNOs, all in bold above, to limit the length of this guide (but also not to overwhelm you with all the options available).

But if you are interested in getting a SIM card from one of the unbolded MVNOs, you would have to do the research yourself for the time being. I stopped actively testing and reviewing MVNOs to spend time reviewing travel eSIMs instead, like the ones for Greece.

Anyone 18 or older living in or visiting Greece can buy an Greek SIM card with no real restrictions, but you do have to comply with the Greece SIM card registration regulations.

Which, in this case, is only showing your passport at the point of sale.

Where Can You Buy an Greek SIM Card (+Costs)?

You can get a Greek SIM card in COSMOTE/Germanos, Vodafone & Nova stores and from authorized dealers. The sub-brands (Q, Vodafone CU & What's Up) are also sold in their stores. Some Greek airports sell (tourist) SIM cards (at inflated prices).

You can expect to pay the following for Greek SIM cards:

• COSMOTE Greece: 5 EUR
• Vodafone Greece: 5 EUR
• Nova Greece: 5 EUR
• Q Greece: 5 EUR
• Vodafone CU: 5 EUR
• What's Up Greece: 5 EUR

Note that SIM cards can be more expensive than those listed above when purchased at an airport.

Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date EUR (Euro) to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) exchange rates.

For your convenience, below are some exchange rates between EUR and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 EUR = 1.05 USD
• 10 EUR = 10.70 USD
• 100 EUR = 107 USD

But for any other currency, the Wise Currency Converter tool.

(Travel) eSIMs for Greece

In recent years, (travel) eSIMs have become extremely popular.

Especially after Apple made iPhones (14- & 15 series) sold in the United States eSIM-only, forcing its users to use eSIMs – even when abroad.

As a result, the adoption of eSIM technology by mobile operators worldwide rose impressively quickly.

Currently, COSMOTE & What's Up offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.

But if you purchase an eSIM from any of these mobile operators, you must comply with Greece's SIM card registration regulations.

Suppose you do not wish to do so for privacy reasons (for example) or want to be connected immediately without paying for an overpriced SIM card (or eSIM) sold at an Greek airport. In that case, you may consider getting a travel eSIM for Greece.

In my Greece eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide (even in Greece).

Surprisingly, travel eSIMs can be cheaper than an Greek SIM card or eSIM in specific scenarios.

Moreover, Europe-wide and global eSIM options are also available at competitive prices (without having to deal with expensive international roaming rates).

In this Greece SIM card buying guide (the one you are reading), I will stick to the local SIM cards and eSIM, but you can read my Greece eSIM buying guide for more information about travel eSIMs covering the country.

But here is a quick overview already + applicable discount codes if you are interested in purchasing a travel eSIM for Greece:

• Airalo: Meraki Mobile (Greece only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS)
• Alosim: Greece & Europe (32 countries)
• Holafly: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls
• Nomad: Greece, Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant)

Here are some discount codes to sweeten the deal:

• Airalo: DEC15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, DEC10 for 10% off (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want)
• Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want)
• Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD off (on your first-ever Nomad order only)

Once again, check out my Greece eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

The eSIM guide is as comprehensive as this SIM card buying guide, but it solely focuses on travel eSIMs (while the guide you are reading focuses on local SIM cards and eSIMs for prepaid users (where applicable).

Greek Prepaid SIM Cards Explored

Below, I will guide you through COSMOTE (+ What's Up Greece), Vodafone Greece (+ Vodafone CU) & Nova Greece (+Q Greece) and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices & availability
• Recharge/top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)

With that said, let's see what Greece offers us.

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COSMOTE Greece & What's Up Greece

COSMOTE Greece is the largest mobile operator in Greece.

It also has the best overall network performance.

COSMOTE Greece also has a sub-brand called What's Up Greece (just What's Up).

Initially, it was a youth-focused brand.

Nowadays, anyone, including the elderly, can get What's Up SIM cards 🤪.

The difference between COSMOTE and What's Up is that What's Up has slightly cheaper plans.

It also offers perks and goodies that are interesting to the (Greek) youth (you may not be able to take advantage of these perks as a short-term visitor).

There is no difference between the two brands besides the COSMOTE- and What's Up-specific plans.

What's Up customers have full access to the COSMOTE network, including 5G NR access.

COSMOTE (and What's Up) use(s) the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: Yes

This is what you will learn about COSMOTE & What's Up:

* Coverage
* How to Get a COSMOTE & What's Up SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

COSMOTE has the best 4G/LTE and 5G NR coverage in Greece.

This was also confirmed by Opensignal.

Below is COSMOTE's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see COSMOTE's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

You can get a COSMOTE or What's Up SIM card for 5 EUR in COSMOTE or Germanos (ΓΕΡΜΑΝΟΣ) stores. COSMOTE and What's Up street sellers will sell SIM cards too, although a plan purchase is required. COSMOTE SIM cards are sold at airports (through ConnectPhone), like Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), but What's Up SIM cards are not.

It is also possible to buy COSMOTE and What's Up SIM cards from other dealers, including kiosks, convenience stores & small grocery stores throughout Greece.

However, SIM card activation can take a few days when done through these third parties, so you are better off getting your SIM card in a COSMOTE or Germanos store.

It is also possible to get a COSMOTE or What's Up eSIM for 9.90 EUR (compared to 5 EUR for a regular SIM card.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Greece, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from COSMOTE or What's Up.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my Greece eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Meraki Mobile (Greece only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code DEC15 (15% off – first-time users only) or DEC10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Greece, Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my Greece eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

For now, I will continue with COSMOTE or What's Up.

Note that COSMOTE and What's Up offer VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.

Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

COSMOTE has three COSMOTE-specific data-featured prepaid plans:

• Πακέτα UNLIMITED GB/Unlimited GB Packages (combo)
• Πακέτα EXTRA/Extra Packages (combo)
• Πακέτα προς Εθνικά Δίκτυα/Packages to National Networks (combo)

What's Up has one What's Up-specific data-featured PREPAID plan:

• Πακέτα Ομιλίας/Call Packages (combo)

COSMOTE and What's Up share only one data-featured plan:

• Πακέτα Internet/Giga Now-Internet Packages (data)

All COSMOTE and What's Up plans can be activated on the My COSMOTE or What's Up apps.

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Unlimited GB Packages – COSMOTE

The Unlimited GB Packages are data plans (with 5G NR access) for COSMOTE customers.

Unlimited GB Packages can be activated on the my COSMOTE app:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Roaming Data	Validity
2 EUR	UNLIMITED GIGA DAY	Unlimited	2 GB	24 hours
2.5 EUR	UNLIMITED GIGA ΣΚ	Unlimited	5 GB	1 weekened
6.5 EUR	UNLIMITED GIGA WEEK	Unlimited	6 GB	7 days

Extra Packages – COSMOTE

The Extra Packages are combo plans with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for COSMOTE customers.

Extra Packages can be activated on the my COSMOTE app:

Price	Plan	Data	On-Net Minutes	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
4 EUR	Extra Week Max	300 MB	300 minutes	300 minutes	100 SMS	7 days

Packages to National Networks – COSMOTE

The Packages to National Networks are combo plans with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for COSMOTE customers.

Packages to National Networks can be activated on the My COSMOTE app:

Price	Plan	Data	On-Net Minutes	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
7.20 EUR	COMBO BASIC	400 MB	400 minutes	400 minutes	40 SMS	30 days
10.90 EUR	COSMOKAPTA COMBO TO ALL	500 MB	1000 minutes	1000 minutes	200 SMS	30 days
13.50 EUR	COSMOKAPTA COMBO UNLIMITED	2.5 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	400 SMS	30 days

Call Packages – What's Up

The Call Packages are combo plans with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for What's Up customers.

Call Packages can be activated on the What's Up app:

Price	Plan	Data	On-Net Minutes	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
3 EUR	Mini Calls	N/A	200 minutes	100 minutes	N/A	7 days
5 EUR	Mini Combo	1 GB	200 minutes	100 minutes	N/A	7 days
5.04 EUR	500’ προς WHAT’S UP & 100’ προς όλους	N/A	500 minutes	100 minutes	N/A	15 days
7.20 EUR	Basic Calls	400 MB	N/A	400 minutes	40 SMS	30 days
10.90 EUR	Calls to All	512 MB	N/A	800 minutes	300 SMS	30 days
13.50 EUR	Unlimited Calls	2.5 GB	N/A	Unlimited	600 SMS	30 days

Giga Now/Internet Packages – COSMOTE & What's Up

The Giga Now or Internet Packages are data plans (with 5G NR access) for COSMOTE and What's Up (COSMOTE calls it Giga Now and Internet Packages for What's Up).

Giga Now/Internet Packages can be activated on the My COSMOTE app or What's Up app.

What's Up customers can also text the Activation Code to 1330 to activate Internet Packages:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Roaming Data	Validity
1.50 EUR	GIGA DAY	6 GB	1.5 GB	24 hours
2 EUR	GIGA ΣΚ	6 GB	2 GB	1 weekend
4 EUR	Giga Weekend	6 GB	4 GB	7 days
8.50 EUR	Giga Month	4 GB	4 GB	30 days

¹ exclusively for What's Up customers. It cannot be used while roaming

EU Roaming – COSMOTE & What's Up

You can use your COSMOTE and What's Up allowances in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

Be aware that, in some cases, the EU/EEA roaming allowance is lower than the domestic allowances.

My Review – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

I had the chance to try out What's Up in March 2022.

Although I would probably have gone for COSMOTE itself, it has a SIM card shortage.

I had to visit about five stores before finding one with SIM cards in stock.

And as it was a Saturday, most stores were closing within an hour… so I could not be picky 🤪.

Either way, What's Up has slightly cheaper options than COSMOTE itself while having full access to the COSMOTE network.

Except for 5G NR, it seemed… I did not have any 5G NR reception during my weekend in Greece, even though it is advertised that What's Up customers can use it.

Even then, I had a pleasant experience What's Up.

You can read my What's Up review here.

APN/Internet Settings – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

• Name: COSMOTE OR What's Up
• APN: internet

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

Vodafone Greece, just Vodafone, is the second-largest mobile operator in Greece.

It is, together with Nova Greece (formerly Wind), the oldest mobile operator in the country.

Vodafone also has a sub-brand called Vodafone CU.

It is a youth-focused brand.

Nowadays, anyone, including the elderly, can get Vodafone CU SIM cards 🤪.

The difference between Vodafone and Vodafone CU is that Vodafone CU has slightly cheaper plans.

It also offers perks and goodies that are interesting to the (Greek) youth (you may not be able to take advantage of these perks as a short-term visitor).

There is no difference between the two brands besides the brand-specific plans.

Vodafone CU customers have full access to the Vodafone network, including 5G NR access.

Vodafone uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: Yes

This is what you will learn about Vodafone (CU):

* Coverage
* How to Get a Vodafone (CU) SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

Vodafone has extensive coverage throughout Greece.

4G/LTE is available almost anywhere.

Below is Vodafone's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

You can get a Vodafone (CU) SIM card for 5 EUR in Vodafone stores. Vodafone (CU) street sellers will sell SIM cards too, although a plan purchase is required. Vodafone SIM cards are sold at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), but Vodafone CU SIM cards are not.

It is also possible to buy Vodafone (CU) SIM cards from other dealers, including kiosks, convenience stores & small grocery stores throughout Greece.

However, SIM card activation can take a few days when done through these third parties, so you are better off getting your SIM card in a Vodafone store.

It is also possible to get a Vodafone eSIM for 9.90 EUR for 9.90 EUR (compared to 5 EUR for a regular SIM card).

You may want to get a travel eSIM for Greece, which can be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Vodafone (in some cases).

Especially when getting a Europe-wide eSIM if you do not stay in just Greece or a global eSIM valid for up to a year if you want one eSIM to work practically worldwide.

My Greece eSIM buying guide analyzes various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

Here is a quick introduction to them:

• Airalo: Meraki Mobile (Greece only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + call and text feature) – use code DEC15 (15% off – first-time users only) or DEC10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – these eSIMs have unlimited data + calling feature – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Greece, Europe (up to 35 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

For more information, such as the prices and data allowances, check out my Greece eSIM buying guide.

But let's continue with Vodafone for now.

Note that Vodafone (CU) offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.

Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

Vodafone has two data-featured prepaid plans:

• Combo Plans
• Internet Packages

Vodafone CU has three data-featured prepaid plans:

• Combo & Ομιλία/Combo & Speech
• Panic Button (short-term data)
• Internet Plan

All Vodafone (CU) plans can be activated on the Vodafone (CU) app(s).

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Combo Plans – Vodafone Greece

The Combo Plans are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for Vodafone customers.

Combo Plans can be purchased on the My Vodafone (GR) app:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
5.40 EUR	Combo Weekly 5.4€	700 MB	Unlimited	N/A	7 days
10.90 EUR	Combo Unlimited 1,5GB	1.5 GB	Unlimited	100 SMS	30 days
13.50 EUR	Combo 7GB 13.5€	7 GB	400 minutes	300 SMS	30 days
13.50 EUR	Combo Unlimited 4GB	2.9 GB	Unlimited	300 SMS	30 days

Internet Packages – Vodafone Greece

The Internet Packages are data plans (with 5G NR access) for Vodafone customers.

Internet Packages can be purchased on the My Vodafone (GR) app:

Price	Plan	Data	Validity
0.90 EUR	Data Unlimited Day	Unlimited	1 day
2.70 EUR	Data Unlimited Weekends	Unlimited	28 days from activation, available for use on weekends only (Saturday 00:01 to Sunday 23:59)
6 EUR	Data Unlimited Week	6 GB	7 days
10.90 EUR	Surf & Email 10.9€	9 GB	30 days
10.90 EUR	Surf & Email με αυτόματη ανανέωση10.9€	10 GB	30 days

Combo & Speech Plans – Vodafone CU

The Combo & Speech plans are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for Vodafone CU customers.

Speaking can be bought on the My CU app:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
1.50 EUR	CU Mono Talk Day	N/A	Unlimited	N/A	1 day
3.7 EUR	SMS 300	N/A	N/A	300 SMS	30 days
5.4 EUR	CU MeApOla 5.4	700 MB	Unlimited	N/A	15 days
7.2 EUR	CU MeApOla 7.2	1.5 GB	600 minutes	100 SMS	20 days
7.20 EUR	CU MeApOla 7.2 EXTRA	400 MB	400 minutes	40 SMS	30 days
10.9 EUR	MeApOla 10.9	1.5 GB	Unlimited	100 SMS	30 days
13.5 EUR	MeApOla 13.5	4 GB	Unlimited	300 SMS	30 days
13.5 EUR	MeApOla 13.5 EXTRA	7 GB	400 minutes	300 SMS	30 days
18 EUR	MeApOla 18	6.5 GB	Unlimited	300 SMS	30 days
27 EUR	CU MeApOla 27	200 GB	Unlimited	300 SMS	30 days

Panic Button Plan – Vodafone CU

The Panic button gets you 5 GB of data (with 5G NR access) valid for an hour at no cost for Vodafone CU customers.

However, it can be activated only twice a month and is for local use only.

Text SOS to 1252 to press the Panic Button.

Price	Data	Validity	Activation Code
Free	5 GB	1 hour	SOS

Internet Plans – Vodafone CU

The Internet Plans are data bundles (with 5G NR access).

Internet Plans can be bought on the My CU app:

Price	Plan	Data	Validity
0.9 EUR	CU Mono Scroll Day	Unlimited	1 day
2.7 EUR	CU Mono Scroll 4 Weekends	Unlimited	4 consecutive weekends
6 EUR	CU Mono Scroll Week	Unlimited	7 days
6.5 EUR	CU Mono Scroll Nights	Unlimited	30 nights (20:00 – 8:00)
10.9 EUR	CU Mono Scroll Month	9 GB	30 days
10.90 EUR	CU Kalokairistes	Unlimited	30 days

EU Roaming – Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

You can use your allowances in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

As Vodafone (CU) does not have dedicated EU/EEA roaming allowances, you can use your full allowance without restrictions in other EU/EEA member states.

My Review – COSMOTE & What's Up Greece

I had the chance to try out Vodafone CU in March 2022.

Although I would probably have gone for Vodafone itself, the salesperson I got my SIM card from only had Vodafone CU SIM cards.

In 2015, I had a bad experience with Vodafone because the salesperson enabled some features that took credit from each recharge, forcing me to make additional top-ups.

Remember when very early in this guide where I said salespeople on the streets sell Vodafone (CU) SIM cards and that they are legit?

They are – and they actually sell plans with waaaaay better data allowances than advertised on Vodafone (CU)'s site and on offline channels.

But you have to be aware of these deals… and they are not available all year round.

Hence, I only mention the official advertised plans in this guide.

But you can learn about the underground plans in my Vodafone CU review.

🛑 Before you continue… 🛑

You should NOT buy a Vodafone (CU) SIM card on a weekend if (1) you are only staying for the weekend or (2) love fast speeds (like myself).

Vodafone HQ has to manually enable 4G/LTE, which is done on a business day.

Guess who bought a Vodafone SIM card on the weekend, with stores closed on Sundays? 🥲

You can read about my experiences here.

Oh, by the way, if you love fights, the Vodafone store I visited had employees and two customers fighting each other. Things can get passionate with Vodafone, lmao.

APN/Internet Settings – Vodafone Greece & Vodafone CU

• Name: Vodafone Gr
• APN: internet.vodafone.gr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

Nova Greece, just Nova, is the smallest mobile operator in Greece.

It is, together with Vodafone Greece, the oldest mobile operator in the country.

There was another mobile operator called Q Telecom until WIND purchased it in the past.

Since then, it has become a budget prepaid line of Nova.

Nowadays, Q Telecom is simply known as Q.

The difference between Nova and Q is that Q has slightly cheaper plans.

There is no difference between the two brands besides the brand-specific plans.

Q customers have full access to the Nova network, including 5G NR access.

Nova uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: No

This is what you will learn about Nova & Q:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Nova & Q SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

Nova has extensive coverage throughout Greece.

4G/LTE is available almost anywhere.

Below is Nova's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Nova Greece & Q Greece

You can get a Nova, called F2G, or Q SIM card for 5 EUR in Nova stores. Nova and Q street sellers will sell SIM cards too, although a plan purchase is required. Nova and Q SIM cards are sold at airports (through ConnectPhone), like Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH).

It is also possible to buy Nova and Q SIM cards from other dealers, including kiosks, convenience stores & small grocery stores throughout Greece.

However, SIM card activation can take a few days when done through these third parties, so you are better off getting your SIM card in a Nova or Q store.

Nova and Q have no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

You should consider getting a travel eSIM for Greece because they can sometimes be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Nova and Q.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM or a global eSIM.

I discuss various eSIM options of eSIM providers for Greece in my Greece eSIM buying guide, which are:

• Airalo: Meraki Mobile (Greece only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + minutes and SMS) – use code DEC15 (15% off – first-time users only) or DEC10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Greece & Europe (32 countries) – unlimited data eSIMs which allow for (limited) calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Greece, Europe (up to 35 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

As I said, check out my Greece eSIM buying guide for more information, as I have to continue with Nova and Q for now.

Note that Nova and Q offer VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

Nova has three data-featured prepaid plans:

• Blender (flexible combo)
• Combo
• Data

Q has three data-featured prepaid plans:

• Qstar Bundles (combo)
• Combo
• Data Plans

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Blender Plan – Nova Greece (formerly Wind)

The Blender Plan allows you to select which benefit you want: 1.2 GB of data (with 5G NR access), 450 local/EU minutes, or 120 local/EU SMS for 30 days, costing 10.40 EUR for Nova customers.

Blender can be activated on the myF2G app.

Combo Plans – Nova Greece (formerly Wind)

The Combo plans are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for Nova customers.

Combo plans can be activated on the app:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
8 EUR	Small	400 MB	400 minutes	40 SMS	30 days
12 EUR	Large	1 GB	1000 minutes	100 SMS	30 days
15 EUR	X-Large	2 GB	Unlimited	500 SMS	30 days

Unused data allowances will roll over to the next month as long as you reactivate the same plan on time.

Data Plans – Nova Greece (formerly Wind)

The Data plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (with 5G NR access).

Data plans can be activated on the myF2G app:

Price	Plan	Data	Validity
0.90 EUR	Small	Unlimited	1 day
4.50 EUR	Medium	1 GB	30 days
9 EUR	Large	5 GB	30 days

¹ for calls/SMS within and to other EU/EEA member states and back to Greece (NOT from Greece to other EU/EEA member states)

App Exclusive Plan – Q Greece

The App Exclusive plan is a combo bundle with 500 MB of data (with 5G NR access), 150 minutes & 150 SMS for 30 days, costing 6.90 EUR for Q customers.

It can be activated on the myQ app.

Price	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
6.90 EUR	500 MB	150 minutes	150 minutes	30 days

Qstar Bundles – Q Greece

The Qstar Bundles are combo plans with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for Q customers.

Qstar Bundles can be purchased on the myQ app:

Price	Plan	Data	Local/International Minutes 1	Local SMS	Validity
8.9 EUR	Q Star Auto	1.1 GB	300 minutes	N/A	30 days
11.6 EUR	Q Star Big Auto	3.5 GB	500 minutes	200 SMS	30 days
16.1 EUR	Q Star Huge Auto	5.5 GB	1000 minutes	500 SMS	30 days

¹ for local use and from Greece to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom & the United States

Unused allowances (data and minutes) will roll over to the next month as long as you reactivate the same plan on time.

Combo – Q Greece

The Combo are, as the name implies combo plans with data (with 5G NR access) and minutes for Q customers.

Price	Data	Local Minutes	Validity
11.6 EUR	7 GB	300 minutes	30 days

Data Plans – Q Greece

The Data Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (with 5G NR access) for Q customers.

Data plans can be purchased on the myQ app:

Price	Plan	Data	Validity
3 EUR	Q Unlimited Data SK	Unlimited	1 weekend (Saturday 00:01 – Sunday 23:59)
6 EUR	Q Unlimited Data Nights	Unlimited	30 days (22:01 – 07:59)
8.9 EUR	Q Data Star	4 GB	30 days (22:01 – 07:59)
10.6 EUR	Q Big Data Star	5 GB	30 days

EU Roaming – Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

You can use your allowances in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

As Nova and Q do not have dedicated EU/EEA roaming allowances, you can use your full allowance without restrictions in other EU/EEA member states.

My Review – Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

This review is still being written. This section will be filled in once the review has been published.

APN/Internet Settings – Nova Greece (formerly Wind) & Q Greece

• Name: WIND Internet
• APN: qint.b-online.gr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Greece

Getting a SIM card from COSMOTE or What's Up would do you well when considering a Greek SIM card.

Going to other places around the world? You should also check out my SIM card buying guides for other destinations worldwide.