Staying Connected
Calling Internationally
We recommend using WhatsApp or FaceTime for free communication with others. These applications are available on all smartphones and offer texting, video calls, and traditional phone call options.
Local Plan Options
There will be Wi-Fi at American College of Greece and most malls, hotels or restaurants, but the majority of our students want to have Internet access 24/7 everywhere they go, just as they do back home. For us, it is important that you can communicate easily without effort in case you need to. That is why we recommend either to purchase a tourist plan in Athens, or arrange an international plan with your US phone carrier.
International Plan Options
Bring your phone and network from home if you have a decent international data and airtime plan – just be aware that you won’t be able to communicate locally quite as easily and will likely need to rely on WhatsApp to communicate with others in-country.
Check with your US phone carrier for options – but note that they will likely charge more than a local Greek plan.
Mix and Match
You could purchase an inexpensive local Greek phone for local communication and use your existing phone for data when you need it, either depending on Wi-Fi availability or by switching on/off your international data/roaming as needed.
How to Get a Greek Phone or SIM Card
Greece has three different phone and data providers:
All those providers have plans for students and short-term stays. Cosmote in particular has a top up service when you purchase a Cosmote SIM card that you can refill as needed. In most cases - but not always- your phone will need to be unlocked to accept a Greek SIM card which is best done back home, asking your provider to unlock the phone for use in Europe.
Once your study abroad program is over, you will just need to switch your Greek SIM card for your American SIM card and everything will go back to normal with no extra fees.
How to Make Calls from Your Phone
From a Greek Phone to Another Greek Phone
There are local codes for different regions in Greece, however these are integrated in the phone number you will be given for a person or service, so you shouldn’t worry about the codes. You just need to dial the phone number on your phone and continue as you would have to call anyone back home.
From a U.S. or Any Other Non-Greek Cell Phone to a Greek Phone Number
- Dial the international access code for Greece: 0030
- After the international access code, dial the phone number you are trying to reach.