Internet in Greece for 7 Days: EU Roaming or eSIM?

TL;DR

• Greece is covered by the “Roam Like at Home” principle — your Polish mobile plan works at domestic rates, but only up to the FUP limit (usually 25–34 GB/month). After exceeding it, a surcharge of up to €1.30/GB may apply (2025).
• Realistic data usage for 7 days: light user 2–3 GB, moderate user 5–7 GB, heavy user 10+ GB.
• On Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos, Cosmote offers the best coverage; there is no mobile signal at all in the Samaria Gorge (Crete).
• eSIM and 4G/LTE routers are not subject to the same FUP limit — a key advantage for heavy users or groups.
• Recommendation: 10 GB is the “sweet spot” for one week; for streaming or remote work, consider 20 GB or a router.

How many GB do you need for 7 days in Greece? Real-world usage

Before deciding between roaming and an eSIM, it is worth estimating how much data you will actually use. Most tourists visiting the Greek islands fall into one of three usage profiles.

A light user (2–3 GB/week) mainly uses navigation, messaging apps, and occasional web browsing. Google Maps uses only around 5–10 MB per hour, while web browsing consumes approximately 50–100 MB/h. With this usage profile, 3 GB should comfortably last for the entire week.

A moderate user (5–7 GB/week) also uses social media (100–300 MB/h) and streams music (50–150 MB/h). This is the most common holiday usage profile — 5–7 GB should cover daily photo sharing, messaging, and navigation without requiring much data saving.

A heavy user (10+ GB/week) watches videos, makes video calls, or works remotely. YouTube and Netflix in SD quality use around 1 GB/h, while HD can consume up to 4 GB/h. Video calls via Zoom or Teams can use around 0.5–1.5 GB/h. With this kind of usage, 10 GB is the absolute minimum.

User profile	Daily usage	Weekly usage	Recommended plan
Light (maps, messaging)	100–300 MB	2–3 GB	5 GB
Moderate (social media, music)	0.5–1.5 GB	5–7 GB	10 GB
Heavy (video, remote work)	3–7 GB	10–20 GB	20 GB or router

A practical rule of thumb: 10 GB is the “sweet spot” for 7 days, 5 GB is enough for very light users, while 20 GB provides much more freedom for streaming or remote work. If you expect particularly heavy usage, consider an option without an FUP limit.

EU roaming in Greece — how it works and where FUP limits apply

Greece is a member of the European Union, so the “Roam Like at Home” principle applies. Your Polish mobile plan works at domestic rates, without additional charges for calls, SMS messages, and mobile data. This is worth stating clearly: EU roaming is not inherently expensive.

The issue is the fair use policy (FUP) limit. Operators calculate it according to the formula 2 × (monthly subscription price ÷ wholesale rate). For typical Polish mobile plans, this can mean a limit of around 25–34 GB per month. After exceeding it, an operator may charge a surcharge of up to €1.30/GB (the rate applicable in 2025, scheduled to fall to €1.00/GB from 2027).

For light or moderate users consuming 3–7 GB per week, EU roaming will usually be sufficient, as weekly usage remains well within the monthly FUP allowance. Problems can arise with heavy streaming, remote work, or when several people share one mobile plan via hotspot. In these cases, exceeding the allowance can result in additional charges.

What to watch out for: Check your FUP allowance in your operator’s app before traveling. Most Polish operators display it in their roaming settings. It is also worth confirming whether your plan includes EU roaming data or requires an additional package to be activated.

eSIM for Greece — when is it better than roaming?

An eSIM is a digital SIM profile built into a compatible phone. You can activate it online before departure or after landing, while your Polish number remains active thanks to dual SIM functionality. This solution eliminates one of the main concerns associated with roaming: the FUP limit. You pay for the amount of data you purchase without having to worry about FUP surcharges.

Indicative prices for eSIM packages for Greece start at around €1.99, while 3/5/10 GB packages typically cost approximately PLN 30–65 (prices are dynamic and depend on the region and current promotions). This can be comparable to the cost of a local SIM card, but without having to visit a store or complete in-person registration.

Criterion	EU roaming	eSIM (e.g. XOXO WiFi)
Cost	Included in your plan up to the FUP allowance	From ~€1.99 per package
FUP limit	Yes (25–34 GB/month, then €1.30/GB)	No — you pay for the GB purchased
Cost predictability	Lower after exceeding the allowance	High — you know the cost upfront
Convenience	Automatic, no setup required	Online activation, dual SIM
Compatibility	Any phone with a Polish SIM	Requires an eSIM-compatible phone

An eSIM can be particularly attractive for heavy usage, remote work, hotspot use, or when you are concerned about exceeding your FUP allowance. However, it requires an eSIM-compatible phone — such as iPhone XS/XR and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+ and newer, or Google Pixel 3a and newer — without a SIM lock. eSIM availability can also vary by regional device version.

4G/LTE router — an option for families and groups without an FUP limit

A portable 4G/LTE router creates a private WiFi network for up to five devices at the same time. It does not require an eSIM-compatible phone — any smartphone, tablet, or laptop with WiFi can connect to it. The router automatically connects to an available local network, which can be particularly useful on islands where coverage varies.

The cost of renting a router for Greece starts at approximately PLN 27–32 per day, depending on the package and rental period. One important detail should be clarified: an “unlimited” router may still have a daily high-speed data threshold, such as 1, 3, or 5 GB. After exceeding it, the speed may drop to 512 kbps — the connection remains active but becomes slower.

What to check: Before renting, verify the router’s daily high-speed data allowance. For a family or group, choose a package with a higher daily threshold to reduce the risk of slower speeds in the evening.

A router can be a good choice for families and groups traveling together, people with older phones that do not support eSIM, and anyone who needs a dedicated hotspot for a laptop while working remotely. One device can serve the entire group, allowing the cost to be shared among several users.

Coverage on Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos — what you need to know

The quality of mobile internet on the Greek islands depends primarily on the operator your device connects to. Data from Ookla and Opensignal reports indicate that Cosmote performs strongly in coverage, while Vodafone and Nova also operate extensive networks across Greece.

In practice, on Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos, you can generally expect 4G/LTE coverage and 5G in many larger towns and populated areas. However, there are locations and situations where connectivity may be limited or unavailable:

• Samaria Gorge (Crete) — mobile coverage can be unavailable along substantial sections of the hiking route.
• Ferries — signal may weaken or disappear while traveling between islands.
• Small bays and remote beaches — coverage can be limited, particularly away from populated areas.

Checklist before your trip:

• Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) for hiking and ferry trips.
• Check whether your phone supports eSIM.
• Verify your FUP allowance in your operator’s app.
• If traveling as a group, consider a router instead of several separate eSIM packages.

Which option should you choose? A decision guide for 7 days

The best choice depends on your usage profile and how many people are traveling with you:

1. Light user with a generous domestic plan (2–3 GB/week and sufficient EU roaming allowance) → EU roaming should be enough. You may not need to buy anything else.
2. Moderate user (5–7 GB/week, social media, music) → eSIM with 5–10 GB if you prefer a separate, predictable data allowance.
3. Heavy user (streaming, remote work, hotspot) → 20 GB eSIM or router, depending on your devices and usage.
4. Family, group, or travelers with phones that do not support eSIM → 4G/LTE router. One device can provide WiFi for everyone without requiring eSIM compatibility.

From a cost perspective, an eSIM can be attractive when your existing EU roaming allowance is insufficient and may also offer the convenience of buying and installing your data plan before departure. For many tourists spending a week on Crete, Rhodes, or Zakynthos, a 10 GB eSIM package can provide a comfortable allowance, while heavy users and groups may prefer a larger plan or a 4G/LTE router.

FAQ

Does EU roaming work in Greece?
Yes. Greece is an EU member, so the “Roam Like at Home” rules apply. Your Polish mobile plan can generally be used under domestic pricing conditions, subject to your operator’s applicable fair use allowance.

How many GB do I need for a week in Greece?
A light user may need around 2–3 GB, a moderate user 5–7 GB, and a heavy user 10 GB or more. For many tourists, 10 GB provides a comfortable allowance for seven days.

Does eSIM work on Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos?
Yes, provided your eSIM plan covers Greece and your device is compatible. Actual coverage depends on the local partner network, your location, and network conditions.

Does a portable router have a data limit?
That depends on the specific package. Some 4G/LTE router plans may be advertised as unlimited while applying a daily high-speed data threshold, such as 1, 3, or 5 GB. After reaching the threshold, speeds may be reduced while the connection remains active.

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