Power & Connectivity (SIM)

Greece runs on 230 volts at 50 hertz, using the round two-pin plugs of Type C and Type F common across continental Europe. Travellers from the UK, US and many other regions need a plug adapter, and visitors from 110 to 120 volt countries should check that devices are dual-voltage. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230 volts, so usually only an adapter is needed.

The main mobile networks are Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova, all with good 4G and expanding 5G in cities and popular islands. Tourist prepaid SIMs with generous data are sold at airport shops, carrier stores and kiosks; bring your passport as registration is required. EU and UK travellers can often roam on their home plan. Coverage can thin out on remote islands and mountain areas.

If your phone supports eSIM, it is the easiest way to get online in Greece. Global providers such as Airalo and Holafly, plus the local carriers, sell Greece or Europe data plans you can buy online and activate before you land, with no need to swap a physical SIM. This is ideal for island-hopping since you avoid shopping around. Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and unlocked first.

Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes, restaurants and many public squares, and the airport and ferries often offer it too. Speeds are good in cities and tourist hubs but can be slow or patchy on small islands. Public networks are handy but unsecured, so avoid banking on them and consider a VPN. For reliable data on the move, a local SIM or eSIM is a better bet.

As an EU member, Greece has an open internet with no general censorship, and popular apps, social media, news sites and messaging services all work normally. There is no great firewall to worry about. You may occasionally see content geo-blocked by licensing rather than the state. If you want to reach home streaming services or add privacy on public Wi-Fi, a VPN is legal and simple to use.

A few apps make Greece easier. Use FREE NOW or Bolt to book taxis, Google Maps for navigation and offline maps, and ferry apps or Ferryhopper to compare and book island crossings. Google Translate helps with menus and signs, and WhatsApp is the go-to for messaging. For Athens transport, the official ticketing and metro apps show routes and let you top up travel cards.

Greece uses the country code +30, and Greek numbers are typically ten digits with no separate area code to dial. To call abroad from Greece, dial 00 or + followed by the country code. For most travellers, apps like WhatsApp, Viber and FaceTime over Wi-Fi or data are the cheapest way to call home. The EU-wide emergency number 112 works from any phone, even without a SIM.