eSIM for Greece: compare, buy, and travel connected

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Visiting Greece is one of the best experiences of a lifetime and if you’ve already decided 100% to go, we recommend you visit the island of Crete, one of the largest Greek islands and full of culture, located in the Mediterranean. However, during your planning do not forget to check how you will connect to the internet connection abroad because if you want to make the most of your stay and not have problems with your budget you must have this among the first items on your to-do list.

Getting a cellular service abroad can sometimes be expensive. To avoid this from affecting your trip to Greece, at Roaming we recommend international SIM cards for travelers.

On the other hand, the eSIM, as its name suggests, is a new SIM card format that works virtually, its installation is done through a QR code that the provider will supply. Its ease of use and installation is highly recommended by travelers, but you must consider certain minimum requirements before buying one; and for that, in this article, we will teach you everything from how it works, to the providers that are on the market and a comparison between them so, you can plan out your trip to Greece as best as possible.

esim greece

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What you should know about the eSIM card Greece

Traveling to Santorini Island to see its incredible sunset while the landscape of white houses with blue domes is drawn, should be on your list of things to do in Greece and for this to be the best experience you should not lose contact with your friends while using your eSIM. Therefore, we provide a list of minimum requirements that you should consider before buying one.

We recommend this because some cellular devices are incompatible with this new technology yet, but don’t worry, check the following list and make your trip to Greece a dream come true.

  • The first thing you should check is whether your cellphone is compatible with eSIM, so check that your cellphone is supported by the eSIM carriers. We currently know that generally the iPhone XR or more recent versions are preferred by the companies providing the virtual SIM.
  • The second thing to keep in mind, and no less important, is that it is essential to have an email address to register and receive your eSIM via a QR code.
  • The eSIM to Greece can be activated from day one. However, for activation, you must have an internet connection so that your eSIM profile can be downloaded from the operator’s servers, after scanning the QR code or installation code. You can do this in a WiFi zone.
  • Some providers will require you to install their App to download the eSIM.

eSIM card providers for travel to Greece

Many say that when you travel to Athens you end up loving this city. If you give yourself the opportunity, you will surely end up getting to know Athens during three or four days, but in order not to lose the good spirit and familiarize yourself with the Greek capital with a good internet connection, we provide a list of eSIM providers for Greece. 

Before going into detail, remember that if your cell phone is incompatible with an eSIM, you can opt for a traditional physical data SIM card, no further stress, here are the eSIM providers for Greece.

  • Holafly
  • SIM2Fly
  • WiFiMap
  • TraveleSIM

Rates and data plans from eSIM providers for travel to Greece

The idea is that you choose the best option depending on your needs, budget, and travel plan. The variation in prices may be due to coverage, previous roaming contract agreements of each of these providers, and the available means of payment that these companies have.

Holafly plans and prices for Greece 

  • 3 GB for 7 days at $27 USD
  • 5 GB for 15 days at $34 USD
  • 8 GB for 20 days at $44 USD
  • 10 GB for 30 days at $49 USD

SIM2Fly plans and prices for Greece 

  • 6 GB for 15 days at $37.00 USD

WiFiMap plans and pricing for Greece 

  • 3 GB for 30 days at $90.70 USD
  • 1 GB for 30 days at $35.80 USD
  • 3 GB for 30 days at $22.67USD

TraveleSIM plans and prices for Greece

  • 3 GB for 30 days at $35.69 USD
  • 3 GB for 14 days at $28.22 USD

Comparison of eSIM providers for Greece

SupplierDataDaysPrice (USD)SupportSales channels
Holafly3GB727 USDSpanish, English, French, and GermanWeb
Holafly 5GB1534 USDSpanish, English, French, and GermanWeb
Holafly 8GB2044 USDSpanish, English, French, and GermanWeb
Holafly 10GB3049 USDSpanish, English, French, and GermanWeb
SIM2Fly6GB1537.00 USDEnglishWeb
WiFiMap 3GB3090.70 USDEnglish, RussianWeb, Play Store, App Store
WiFiMap 1GB3035.80 USDEnglish, RussianWeb, Play Store, App Store
WiFiMap 3GB3022.67USDEnglish, RussianWeb, Play Store, App Store
TraveleSIM3GB3035.69 USDEnglish, Spanish, PortugueseWeb
TraveleSIM3GB1428.22 USDEnglish, Spanish, PortugueseWeb
Table 1. Comparison of eSIM providers for connecting to the Internet in Greece.

Features of eSIMs for travel to Greece

You will surely have everything ready to travel to Greece and to make your trip the best one yet, we have listed some important features provided by eSIMs. Remember that these are usually different from the traditional physical SIM.

  • Most eSIM cards do not offer analog calls, only data. If you need to call someone you can opt for apps such as Skype or WhatsApp.
  • It will convert your iPhone into a dual SIM iPhone, this way, you can keep your local SIM so, you don’t have to change it when you travel to Greece. Keep in mind that you must set up your iPhone correctly to avoid surprise bills.
  • Some eSIMs configure the APN automatically and may also give you the option to share data. However, it is best to confirm this with your provider.
  • eSIMs can only be installed once, so if you are experiencing problems with your eSIM card, do not delete it from your phone, instead contact your provider.
  • One of the biggest advantages is that you can add several data plans on your iPhone, this clearly depends on the available memory, although it is only possible to use one at a time.

eSIM coverage for traveling to Greece

When purchasing a cellular service for use abroad, either an eSIM or pocket WiFi, we must keep in mind the cellphone coverage of the national operators, as with this information, you can decide if the service they are offering aligns with your travel plan or route. 

This is important because many times a cheap eSIM may not provide enough coverage in the place you will be. Therefore, keep in mind that in Greece the operators with the best coverage in the country are Cosmote, Vodafone, and WIND; please see below the coverage map for each of these providers: 

4G coverage map of Cosmote operator in Greece

Cosmote coverage map in Greece
Cosmote coverage map in Greece. Source: cosmote.gr

4G coverage map of Vodafone operator in Greece

Vodafone coverage map in Greece
Vodafone coverage map in Greece. Source: vodafone.gr

4G coverage map of WIND operator in Greece

Map of WIND coverage in Greece
Map of WIND coverage in Greece. Source: GSMA

Local cellular carriers offering eSIM in Greece

Finally, if you are living in Greece and your service provider is Cosmote, Vodafone, or Wind and you want to enjoy the service of an eSIM, let us show you the Greek operator that offers eSIM exchange service and product support in the country.

If you are a Greek resident when going through this procedure, keep in mind some requirements and recommendations that each operator will ask for. Remember that this is only for residents of Greece. The operator that offers this service is:  

  • Cosmote

Frequently asked questions about eSIM in Greece

We hope your trip to Greece will be a dream come true, to conclude we have prepared some common questions that users usually have when purchasing an eSIM to travel to Greece, if you have more, please let us know in the comments! 

How does an International eSIM for data differ from the local eSIM in Greece?

Cosmote’s local eSIMs are mainly intended for people residing in Greece. The international eSIM for Greece from Holafly or WifiMap, is used to connect to the internet during your trips to Greece.

Do I need a passport to buy the eSIM Greece card?

Even though it is not necessary to present a passport, some providers do require your address. This applies only to the tourist eSIM. On the other hand, for the eSIM offered by Cosmote, which will ask for your information.

Can I share data or activate tethering with the eSIM in Greece?

Yes, eSIM for Greece will allow you to share your data with other devices. However, we recommend that you check with the provider’s customer service.

How to activate eSIM for Greece?

After installing the virtual SIM profile you must choose it as the default cellular medium, turn on data and roaming and your virtual SIM will work!

Do international prepaid eSIM cards expire?

Yes, just like physical cards, virtual SIM cards also have an expiration date.

When do the days of my data plan start to count down?

The days start counting down from the moment you activate your eSIM by scanning the QR code on your phone.

Which cellphones are compatible with eSIM Greece?

The number of eSIM compatible cell phones in Greece are increasing every day. Remember that if you reside in a European or Latin country and plan to travel to Greece, it is imperative that you carry a cellphone compatible with both eSIM and its frequency bands because if you don’t, you will be left without service, and you will be forced to rent or buy a new cell phone.

These are the cellphones on which you will be able to install and activate an eSIM in Greece. Make sure first that the eSIM provider supports it: iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro, Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 4a XL.

What is an eSIM or digital SIM?

The eSIM is the evolution of traditional SIM cards. The eSIM works thanks to a chip embedded inside the cellphone, which allows storing and configuring the profile. To learn more, please read: what is eSIM and how it works.

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