How do you get a mobile phone plan in Greece in 2026?

Q: How do you get a mobile phone plan in Greece in 2026?

Buy a prepaid or contract SIM in person or online from Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, or Nova with your passport or EU ID and an unlocked handset. Operators run prepaid identity checks in-store or through selfie and document uploads. A local number unlocks bank OTPs, landlord calls, AADE callbacks, and WhatsApp groups. Long contracts often expect an AFM; home fibre can wait until the lease settles.

A Greek mobile number is day-one infrastructure. Banks, landlords, AADE desks, and delivery drivers expect a local line. Prepaid gets you connected; home fibre can wait until the lease is stable.

How do you activate a line in the first days?

Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, and Nova dominate retail in Athens, Thessaloniki, and larger island towns: Living in Athens and Living in Thessaloniki. Bring the passport or EU ID you use for immigration. Visit an official store or Germanos-style partner rather than waiting for a postbox you do not have yet.

Prepaid SIMs require owner identification. Vodafone documents store passport checks and online photo-plus-selfie flows; Cosmote and Nova run equivalent KYC. Set the APN as instructed, keep the PUK, and write down the number. You will reuse that line for bank one-time codes and rental viewings: How to rent a home.

Infrastructure6.8/10

Internet speed7.2/10

English speaking6.5/10

When do AFM and contracts matter?

Many long postpaid contracts expect an AFM and stronger KYC than a tourist prepaid bundle. If you need a stable number for TAXISnet and salary alerts, finish tax ID and residence steps early: Paperwork after moving. Island coverage varies by hill village; Cosmote often leads rural reach, but check the live map for your exact street before you cancel roaming: Utilities, internet and transport.

Common misconceptions

Assuming roaming replaces a Greek number forever fails. OTPs and landlords still want a +30 line.

Assuming any kiosk SIM is fully registered also fails. Complete the operator’s ID process so the number stays yours.

Summary

Get a Cosmote, Vodafone, or Nova prepaid line with passport KYC in the first days, then upgrade to a contract once AFM and address proof exist. Keep the number for banking and bureaucracy, and add fibre after the lease locks.

Sources

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How do you get a mobile phone plan in Greece in 2026?

How do you activate a line in the first days?

When do AFM and contracts matter?

Common misconceptions

Summary

Sources

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