Cosmote Greece SIM Card and eSIM: Coverage, Cost, and How to Buy

Jessica Taylor

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Latest update: August 2026

If you are heading to Greece and wondering whether to get a Cosmote SIM card or eSIM, the short answer is yes, Cosmote is a solid choice, it is the country’s largest network and currently rated the best overall for speed and coverage. Here is what you need to know before you land: how Cosmote actually performs, what a tourist SIM costs, where to buy one, and a simpler alternative if you would rather skip the store visit altogether.

Who Is Cosmote in Greece?

Cosmote is Greece’s largest mobile network, launched in 1998 and now operating under the wider Deutsche Telekom group. You may also see it labeled COSMOTE Telekom on official pages, since Cosmote is in the process of aligning its branding with Telekom, its parent company’s global identity.

A few things worth knowing before you choose Cosmote:

• It has the widest store and agency network in Greece, so you are rarely far from a place to buy or troubleshoot a SIM.
• Customer support is available online and in-store, though service is primarily in Greek, so English speakers may occasionally hit a language gap.
• Prices tend to run a little higher than Vodafone or Nova, which is the tradeoff for having the strongest network.

How Good Is Cosmote’s Coverage and Speed in Greece?

Cosmote currently has the best overall network experience in Greece, according to Opensignal’s independent Mobile Network Experience Report for Greece (March 2026). You will get the fastest everyday speeds and the most consistent connection of the three major carriers, especially if you plan to use 5G.

Here is how the three main networks compare, based on that same report:

• Cosmote leads on download speed (71.9 Mbps) and upload speed (12.6 Mbps), on video streaming quality, on coverage experience, and on 5G, with the highest time spent connected to 5G (29.1 percent) and the fastest 5G download (185.6 Mbps) and upload (22.4 Mbps) speeds.
• Vodafone edges ahead on two specific measures: reliability (902 points out of 1000, versus Nova’s 889) and time connected to any network at all (98.3 percent, versus Cosmote’s 96.8 percent).
• Nova and Vodafone tie for the best gaming experience and for 5G video streaming.

In practical terms, this means Cosmote is the safer pick if your trip depends on fast, stable data (video calls, navigation, streaming), while Vodafone is worth a look if you mainly care about staying connected everywhere you go, even at the cost of a bit of speed.

Does Cosmote Greece Have eSIM?

Yes, Cosmote offers an eSIM alongside its physical SIM cards. You can activate it on any compatible device without needing to swap a physical card, which is useful if you are arriving with limited time or do not want to hunt down a store.

An eSIM has a few practical advantages over a physical card for travelers:

• You do not need to find a store or wait for a physical swap.
• You can switch plans or reactivate service without visiting anyone in person.
• Most phones from the last few years support eSIM, though it is worth checking your specific model first.

How Much Does a Cosmote Tourist SIM Cost?

Cosmote’s official Travellers’ SIM starts at 19.90 EUR for 7 days of unlimited data, based on current pricing from Cosmote’s own website. Longer durations cost more, and a physical SIM card is priced the same as the equivalent eSIM plan.

Here is the current lineup for Cosmote’s Travellers’ SIM, current as of August 2026:

Cosmote’s site also lists additional plans beyond this table, so it is worth checking directly if none of these durations fit your trip. Prices and plans can change, so treat this table as a snapshot rather than a permanent price list.

Where Can You Buy a Cosmote SIM Card or eSIM in Greece?

You can buy a Cosmote SIM or eSIM online before you travel, or in person once you land, whichever suits your schedule better. Three options cover most situations:

1. At Greece airports on arrival. Cosmote SIM cards are sold at major airports, including Athens International Airport and Thessaloniki Airport, so you can pick one up right after landing.
2. In a Cosmote store. You will find stores in tourist hubs like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, where staff can help with setup beyond just the sale.
3. At retail partners. Cosmote SIM cards are also stocked in supermarkets, convenience stores, and electronics shops across the country.

If you are buying a physical SIM, bring a passport or other ID, since Cosmote requires it for registration. For an eSIM, the process is simpler: choose a plan online, pay, receive a QR code by email, and scan it to install. Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular connection to download and activate the profile, so it is best done before leaving home or using free airport Wi-Fi upon arrival.

What Are the Alternatives to Cosmote in Greece?

Vodafone and Nova are Cosmote’s two main competitors in Greece, and both are reasonable alternatives depending on what you value most.

• Vodafone is the second largest network, with strong coverage in most areas and generally lower prices than Cosmote.
• Nova, formerly known as Wind Hellas before its rebrand, is expanding quickly and tends to offer the most competitive pricing of the three, with coverage concentrated mainly around major cities.

If you would rather not choose between local carriers at all, Gigago’s Greece eSIM is built on Wind, Cosmote, Vodafone, and Orange, so you get broad network access without having to pick a single carrier or visit a store. Plans run from 2.0 USD to 99.5 USD depending on data and duration, and setup takes a few minutes: buy online, scan the QR code you receive by email, and your plan activates automatically when you land.

FAQs about Cosmote in Greece