Greece's mobile market is undergoing a full-scale shake-up in 2026. Cosmote rebranded as Cosmote Telekom and launched its converged MagentaONE bundles, Vodafone completed the Cyta Hellas merger and strengthened its Red Plans, while Nova — following the Wind-Nova consolidation — is driving prices down as the aggressive third operator. With 5G coverage reaching 86% of the population, growing eSIM adoption, and EU roaming extended to 2032, which plan actually delivers the best value? We break down every operator and help you choose wisely.
📊 The Greek Mobile Market in 2026
Greece's telecoms landscape consists of three main operators (MNOs) that command nearly the entire market, plus a handful of MVNOs. Cosmote Telekom (Deutsche Telekom/OTE) remains the largest, followed by Vodafone Greece and Nova (United Group). Competition is fierce, particularly in SIM-only plans and converged fixed-mobile-TV bundles.
5G coverage in Greece has reached impressive levels — 86% of the population (2022 data), above the EU average of 81%. A remarkable 99% of available 5G spectrum has been assigned (EU avg. 68%), and mobile download speeds average 129.10 Mbps according to Speedtest's October 2025 index. This means 5G access is no longer a premium add-on — it's increasingly bundled into standard plans at no extra cost.
Pricing is competitive across the board: prepaid plans start at €10-20/month for 5-20 GB of data, SIM-only contracts range from €15-35/month for 10-50 GB, and converged bundles (mobile + fiber + TV) run €40-80/month. Virtually all plans include unlimited domestic calls and EU roaming (RLAH regulation) at no additional cost.
📱 Cosmote Telekom: MagentaONE & Beyond
Cosmote — officially Cosmote Telekom since its April 2025 rebrand — remains the dominant operator in Greece. As a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom/OTE, it leverages massive network infrastructure and the most extensive 5G coverage in the country. At the 90th percentile, its 5G speeds exceed 240+ Mbps — faster than many fixed broadband connections across Europe.
On the prepaid side, Cosmote Telekom offers the well-established What's Up and My Cosmote product lines. What's Up targets younger and casual users with plans at €10-15/month for 5-10 GB data and unlimited calls. The My Cosmote range offers more flexibility, with customisable data allowances to match individual usage patterns.
For postpaid subscribers, Cosmote Telekom stands out with its new MagentaONE converged bundles — combining mobile, fixed-line fibre, and IPTV in a single subscription. Prices start around €45-50/month for basic converged packages and reach €75-80/month for plans that include gigabit fibre, 50 GB of 5G mobile data, and a full TV package. 5G access is included free of charge on premium tiers.
🏆 Cosmote Telekom — Top Picks
- For young users (prepaid): What's Up 10 GB — ~€12/month, unlimited calls, social media data zero-rated
- For professionals (SIM-only): My Cosmote 30 GB — ~€25/month, 5G access, 12 GB EU roaming
- For families (converged): MagentaONE L — ~€65/month, 200 Mbps fibre + 30 GB 5G mobile + Cosmote TV Basic
- Premium: MagentaONE XL — ~€80/month, 1 Gbps fibre + 50 GB 5G + full TV package
Cosmote Telekom's key advantage is its unrivalled coverage — both in urban centres and across the islands and mountainous regions. If you travel frequently beyond Athens and Thessaloniki, Cosmote consistently provides the strongest signal. The downside? Prices run roughly 10-15% higher than the competition, reflecting its market-leader position.
📡 Vodafone: Red Plans & CU
Vodafone Greece has been operating in the country since 1992 and ranks as the second-largest operator. It launched its 5G network in January 2021, investing €130 million in spectrum alone. Following the complete absorption of Cyta Hellas (2019), Vodafone significantly strengthened its fixed-line presence and now offers fully converged packages covering fixed broadband, mobile, and TV.
The Red Plans (postpaid) form Vodafone's flagship lineup. They start at €18-20/month for 15 GB with unlimited calls and scale up to €35/month for 50 GB with 5G access. The Red+ Unlimited plan — aimed at power users — offers truly unlimited data at 5G speeds for around €40-45/month, making it more competitively priced than comparable Cosmote packages.
The CU plans (prepaid) are designed exclusively for customers aged 18-24 and represent some of the best value-for-money offerings in the Greek market. Priced at €10-15/month, they include 8-15 GB of data, unlimited social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), and calls. Vodafone deploys CU strategically to acquire younger customers who later transition to Red Plans.
🏆 Vodafone — Top Picks
- Youth (prepaid): CU 12 GB — ~€12/month, unlimited social media, ages 18-24
- Mid-range (postpaid): Red 25 GB — ~€22/month, 5G-ready (€3 add-on), 10 GB EU roaming
- Power user: Red+ Unlimited — ~€42/month, unlimited 5G data, eSIM support
- Converged: Vodafone ONE — ~€55/month, 100 Mbps fibre + 20 GB mobile + Vodafone TV
Vodafone excels particularly in converged packages: the combination of fixed fibre, mobile, and Vodafone TV in a single subscription delivers outstanding value, especially in cities with fibre coverage. The My Vodafone app is among the best in the market, offering real-time data usage tracking, live chat support, and instant eSIM activation.
🌐 Nova: The Challenger
Nova (formerly Wind, now under the United Group umbrella) is the third operator in the Greek market — and arguably the most interesting option for value-conscious consumers. Following the Wind-Nova merger, it operates as a unified brand offering integrated mobile, fixed-line, and TV packages.
Nova's philosophy is straightforward: aggressive pricing. Its SIM-only plans start at €15/month for 15 GB — a price point €3-5 lower than comparable offerings from Cosmote and Vodafone. At the 30 GB tier, pricing sits around €22-25/month, and 5G access is bundled free on all plans above €20.
On the prepaid front, Nova has captured market share with plans at €10/month for 8 GB — ideal for users who want basic connectivity without any commitment. Converged Nova ONE bundles start at €40-45/month (fibre + mobile), making them the most affordable converged option on the market.
Nova's disadvantage remains its smaller coverage footprint compared to Cosmote and Vodafone, particularly on islands and in mountainous areas. In urban centres, however, network quality is fully competitive. If you live primarily in a city, Nova's plans deserve serious consideration.
📋 SIM-Only Plan Comparison
Below is the central comparison of SIM-only plans (postpaid, no handset included) — the most cost-effective way to use a mobile if you already own a device. Prices reflect monthly charges with no lock-in or standard 12-month contracts, depending on the operator.
📋 SIM-Only Plans — February 2026 Comparison
| Operator | Plan | Data | 5G | Price/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmote Telekom | My Cosmote S | 10 GB | Add-on €5 | €18 |
| Cosmote Telekom | My Cosmote M | 20 GB | Add-on €3 | €22 |
| Cosmote Telekom | My Cosmote L | 30 GB | ✅ Free | €28 |
| Vodafone | Red 15 | 15 GB | Add-on €3 | €18 |
| Vodafone | Red 30 | 30 GB | ✅ Free | €25 |
| Vodafone | Red+ Unlimited | Unlimited | ✅ Free | €42 |
| Nova | Nova SIM 15 | 15 GB | Add-on €4 | €15 |
| Nova | Nova SIM 30 | 30 GB | ✅ Free | €23 |
| Nova | Nova SIM 50 | 50 GB | ✅ Free | €30 |
| Frog Mobile | Frog 10 | 10 GB | ❌ | €12 |
A few key observations: Nova consistently offers the lowest prices for SIM-only plans, especially at the 15 and 30 GB tiers. Vodafone stands out with its unlimited plan — unique in the market at this price point. Cosmote Telekom runs slightly higher but delivers consistently superior coverage. Frog Mobile (an MVNO on the Cosmote network) provides an interesting budget alternative for light users.
All plans include unlimited domestic calls and EU roaming under the RLAH regulation (extended through 2032). Roaming data allowances are typically smaller (8-15 GB depending on the plan) but sufficient for regular use while travelling.
💡 How to Choose the Right Plan
Choosing a plan isn't just about price — it's about matching the offering to your actual needs. Before committing, consider the following:
How much data do you actually use? Check your real consumption through your operator's app. Average usage in Greece is 8-12 GB/month, but if you stream video (YouTube, Netflix) away from WiFi, 20-30 GB is more realistic. If you work remotely via hotspot, you should be looking at 50 GB or more.
Prepaid or contract? Prepaid plans offer flexibility with no commitment — ideal if you switch plans frequently or dislike lock-ins. SIM-only contracts deliver better value per GB but typically require a 12-24 month commitment. If you're confident about your operator, SIM-only gives you 20-30% more data for the same money.
Do you need 5G? If you're in an urban area with 5G coverage and own a 5G-capable device, the upgrade is worthwhile — particularly when it's included free in your plan (typically 30 GB+ tiers). If your area lacks 5G, don't pay for the add-on — 4G+ already delivers very respectable speeds.
Converged or standalone? If you're already paying for fixed broadband and mobile separately, check the converged bundles. MagentaONE, Vodafone ONE, and Nova ONE frequently save €10-20/month compared to separate subscriptions. A word of caution: converged packages usually require a 24-month commitment, and early termination fees can be steep.
🔮 Trends Shaping 2026
The mobile market is evolving rapidly. Here are the key trends shaping plans in 2026 and what to expect going forward:
eSIM: The New Normal
eSIM support is growing rapidly across all Greek operators. Line activation is now fully digital, completed in minutes without a physical SIM card. It's ideal for dual-SIM setups (e.g. personal + work) and travel. Both Vodafone and Cosmote Telekom support in-app eSIM activation.
5G Standalone (SA)
Operators are progressively deploying 5G SA (standalone) networks, delivering lower latency (<10ms), network slicing, and truly dedicated 5G connections without 4G fallback. Cosmote Telekom is leading the way with pilot operations in Athens and Thessaloniki.
Unlimited Data Trend
Following European trends, unlimited data plans are becoming more accessible. Vodafone leads with Red+ Unlimited at ~€42/month. Cosmote Telekom is expected to launch a comparable plan during 2026, which should push prices even lower across the board.
Another trend worth watching is the growth of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators). Frog Mobile (operating on the Cosmote network) already offers 10 GB plans at €12/month — significantly cheaper than the main operators. As the market matures, more MVNOs are expected to emerge, intensifying competition and driving prices down further.
Finally, the extension of EU roaming (RLAH) through to 2032 means using your mobile across EU countries remains free of surcharges — a huge benefit for travellers and digital nomads moving around Europe.
Regardless of which operator you choose, 2026 is an excellent time to review your mobile plan. Prices are falling, data allowances are growing, and 5G technology is making mobile internet a genuine alternative to fixed broadband. Assess your needs, compare your options, and don't hesitate to switch — number portability completes in 1-2 working days.