Cosmote, Nova, and Vodafone are the top 3 Greece mobile operators, providing fairly fast internet (an average of 97 Mbps download speed). The carriers have affordable plans with unlimited GB, calls, texts, and roaming. There are both traditional SIM cards and eSIMs for travelers like Ohayu.com. It lets you connect to the local networks without a physical card. Prices for communication services are relatively low, approximately $2 per GB for prepaid packages.
But which one to choose? Let’s talk about it in more detail.
Greek mobile market overview
Greece isn’t just a country of ancient ruins, turquoise seas, and olive groves. It’s a nation with a fairly modern telecom infrastructure. If you’re planning a trip, a long stay, or even remote work, reliable mobile communication will be your indispensable assistant.
According to the latest Speedtest Global Index data, Greece ranks 28th in the world in terms of mobile and broadband internet speed.
This implies fairly high speeds, namely 145.06 Mbps for downloads and 15.74 Mbps for uploads. At the same time, the latency is 20 ms.
Communication level
Mobile communications are at a fairly high level, especially when it comes to 4G coverage. Most settlements, roads between cities, and tourist areas have a stable signal. In large cities – Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraeus – 4G works without interruption, and 5G is already available in central areas.
Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova (formerly WIND) are gradually expanding their 5G coverage areas, focusing primarily on densely populated regions.
The situation is slightly different on the islands. Communications function well on Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Santorini, but in more remote or less touristy areas, there may be areas with weak signals. In the mountainous areas of the Peloponnese or on small islands, connectivity is sometimes unstable, especially outside populated areas.
Note that carriers are actively developing infrastructure, so even in smaller villages, internet speeds of over 30 Mbps are often available.
Major Greece mobile operators
Three major players dominate the Greek telecom market.
- Cosmote is the flagship with the widest coverage and fastest internet, especially outside cities.
- Vodafone is a strong player with international support, good rates, and reliable 4G.
- Nova is a more budget-friendly option with adequate service and a developed network in cities.
eSIM technology
eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone that is used instead of the classic physical SIM card. When you choose a package from Ohayu, you can connect to supported local provider networks (like Vodafone, Nova, or Cosmote) and get mobile internet in Greece or other countries.
There are multiple advantages of eSIM.
- Fast installation via QR code.
- No need to change your number.
- No need to buy a physical SIM card;
- Getting connected to mobile networks abroad in a chosen country, or on a multi-country trip (you can get connected in 120+ countries if you choose the Global plan).
Top 3 Greece mobile operators
The Greek telecommunications market is divided between Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, and Nova. Each has a wide audience and reasonable packages at affordable prices, but what sets them apart, and which one is best for your trip?
Cosmote
Cosmote is one of the largest Greece mobile operators. It is a true leader that has become synonymous with reliable communication. It belongs to the telecommunications big player OTE Group (part of Deutsche Telekom). And this immediately makes it clear: the infrastructure, services, and innovations here are at the level of European standards.
The provider has the widest coverage in Greece. The population has access to stable 4G, and 5G zones cover large cities and some islands, and resorts. If you plan to go to the mountains, live in a small village, or explore the remote beaches of Crete, Cosmote will almost always be available where other operators are not. In the city, the signal is always strong, the internet is stable, and calls are clear.
Cosmote has a fairly flexible top-up system – via the app, website, ATMs, or in branded stores. There are weekly packages, nighttime internet deals, and promotions with bonus gigabytes.
It has packages starting at €14 for 15 GB. Unlimited data costs €50. The operator’s download speed is 119.5 Mb/s according to SpeedGeo. The latency is 65 seconds.
Vodafone
Vodafone is well known all over the world, and in Greece, the company retains its status as one of the strongest operators. If you are used to Vodafone in your country, you will immediately find the familiar logic of services, applications, and conditions.
Vodafone has excellent coverage in cities and popular tourist areas. Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Heraklion, Rhodes, Corfu – the connection is stable everywhere. 4G is pretty standard, while 5G is actively expanding in big cities. However, compared to Cosmote, the connection may be weaker in some remote areas, although this is almost imperceptible for urban users.
Vodafone has a bunch of prepaid plans. The cheapest one, Red 3 GB, costs €17 for 6 GB of data. The most expensive one will set you back €29.40. This is an unlimited data and EU calling package.
There are also family packages, which double the data and give discounts of up to 7%. These cost between €17 and €31.20. The speed is 88.7 Mb/s with a latency of 42 seconds.
Nova
WIND Hellas joined forces with Nova in 2023. Now there is a single Nova brand, but the essence remains unchanged. This carrier has the best price with decent connection quality.
Nova has a well-developed network in cities and suburbs. 4G is stable in most popular locations, although 5G is currently only available in Athens and Thessaloniki. In remote islands and mountainous regions, the connection is sometimes weaker, but in populated ones it is sufficient for communicating with friends and family.
The provider is working to improve coverage. It invests in infrastructure and expands its coverage areas. The brand gives basic prepaid SIM cards with gigabytes that are easy to activate. For example, for €17, you can get up to 4 GB, and sometimes even bonuses for topping up your account. An unlimited package costs €35.
The operator’s speed is 66.3 Mb/s with a delay of 44 seconds. These are the lowest figures among Greece mobile operators, but high enough to travel comfortably around the country.
Recommended providers comparison table
| Choice | Request |
| Cosmote | I’m heading to the countryside, the islands, or the mountains. Coverage is essential. |
| Vodafone | I’ll be in Thessaloniki or Athens. I want easy activation and good-quality internet. |
| Nova | I need something cheap. I want to save money because I’ll be in Greece for a long time. |
| Ohayu | I want to get an eSIM online and get mobile internet as soon as possible. I don’t want to search for a physical SIM card in a foreign country. |
| Vodafone or Cosmote | I’m a student, it’s critical to strike a balance between cost and convenience. |
Comparison of Greece mobile operators
Now let’s examine the top mobile operators in Greece. Let’s start by looking at Opensignal’s March 2026 analysis.
It shows a clear distribution of forces among Greece mobile operators. Cosmote took first place in 10 out of 14 categories, confirming its reputation as the most powerful operator in the country. Cosmote is the undisputed winner in video quality, mobile gaming, and data download and upload speeds. This means stable, fast, and comfortable service every day. The operator also boasts the fastest download and upload speeds on the 5G network.
In the 5G Video Experience and 5G Coverage Experience categories, it shares the victory with Vodafone. It indicates the latter’s approach to the leader in 5G coverage.
Vodafone received 76.2 points on a 100-point scale, which is impressive for users who value fast video viewing.
Vodafone received an award for the stable availability of its 5G network. The provider ensures a good level of access to 5G in everyday use.
Nova won in the Reliability Experience category. This indicates signal stability even without high speed or wide coverage.
Let’s sum up
Three operators have made it clear where they stand in the fight for mobile supremacy in Greece. Vodafone is steadily solidifying its position in the 5G market, Cosmote has made a name as a leader in technology, and Nova exhibits dependability and stability. With the advantages of each player, subscribers can select the connection that best meets their requirements, be they speed, coverage, or consistent quality.
Ohayu is a solid travel option if you require flexible connectivity without a physical SIM card because of its fast eSIM installation and affordable rates for tourists.
