Your tax payment is due tomorrow. You open your bank’s app, but the one-time code does not arrive. The Greek SIM you last topped up in the summer has been barred after months of inactivity. Now you need access to a number that no longer works.
A Greek mobile number is often tied to banking and government services used by owners abroad. Keeping it active, or confirming that a service accepts your foreign number, can prevent a problem when a payment is due.
Here is how long Greek prepaid numbers remain active without a top-up, how to keep one working abroad and where a foreign number may be enough.
Why a Greek number still matters
A mobile number is used to verify your identity and recover access to many services:
- Banks send one-time codes to the number registered with your account. See our guide to opening a Greek bank account from abroad.
- gov.gr and the National Contact Register use mobile numbers for verification.
- Some myAADE services have specific phone-number requirements. For example, the AFM application’s phone field accepts 10 digits without an international prefix. See how to get an AFM from abroad.
How long Greek prepaid numbers last
Greece’s main networks offer several prepaid brands. The key date for receiving bank codes is when incoming SMS stops, which can be much earlier than the date the number is finally disconnected. All periods below run from the last top-up, unless stated otherwise.
| Network and prepaid brands | Balance or credit validity | When service is restricted | When the connection ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telekom (Cosmote), Telekom Κάρτα, WHAT’S UP and FROG | Check the balance expiry shown for your specific tariff and top-up | Telekom’s price information describes service barring after 90 days without a top-up | Its prepaid terms allow a top-up within 13 months of the last one. After that, do not assume the number can be recovered cosmote.gr |
| Vodafone prepaid and Vodafone CU | For CU, the published terms distinguish top-ups below €25 from those of €25 or more | Vodafone says incoming and outgoing service is barred after 90 days without a top-up | Vodafone says the prepaid connection remains valid for 13 months without a top-up vodafone.gr |
| Nova, FREE2GO and Q | Nova’s prepaid terms say remaining monetary balance expires after two months | Outgoing calls, SMS and data are barred after two months. Incoming calls and messages are barred after four months | The connection is disconnected after 12 months; restoring it then requires a new application. The number may be lost |
Sources: Vodafone CU’s terms and Nova Q’s validity information.
Check Telekom’s current terms directly. Cosmote’s consumer branding changed to Telekom in 2026, according to CNN Greece. The timing in the table was not confirmed from Telekom’s own terms, and another report refers to a different deadline.
Ways to keep a number active
- Vodafone CU Stay On: Vodafone’s page lists a one-off price of €45 to keep the number active for 13 months. It includes 100 MB of data, 100 minutes and 100 SMS, with the stated allowance valid in Greece and the EU. You can buy it through the My CU app or by texting ON to 1252. Check the price and roaming terms before buying, as published prices have differed.
- Regular top-ups: Top up before your operator restricts service. Set calendar reminders for the dates that apply to your SIM.
- A mobile contract: A contract does not have the same prepaid top-up deadlines. Compare its annual cost with keeping a prepaid number active.
Receiving codes abroad: EU roaming and beyond
Within the EU and EEA, receiving SMS while roaming generally carries no extra charge under EU roaming rules. Operators may apply fair-use conditions if you spend extended periods abroad.
Outside the EU and EEA, check your provider’s roaming terms and coverage before relying on the Greek SIM for codes. This is particularly important if you live in the UK, US or Israel. Also confirm whether any allowance included in a package, such as CU Stay On, applies where you live.
NBG explains that one-time codes sent to a Greek number can reach you abroad through your mobile provider’s roaming service.
eSIM: keep the Greek number on your phone
If your phone supports dual SIM, you can keep your usual number and a Greek number on the same device. One may be a physical SIM and the other an eSIM.
Vodafone CU provides eSIM activation instructions. Nova confirms eSIM availability for its FREE2GO prepaid customers, but its page does not establish whether the same option is available for Q. Check your phone model and your operator’s current process.
“Nobody thinks about their Greek SIM until the code does not arrive. By then, the account may be linked to a number they cannot reach. Pick one Greek number, keep it active deliberately and treat its renewal like any other recurring bill.”
Yanis, Founder of Home Watch Athens
Using a foreign number instead
You may not need a Greek number for every service:
- National Contact Register (ΕΜΕπ): The gov.gr instructions describe entering a foreign number with 00, followed by the country code and number. You then confirm it with an SMS code. The current GSIS FAQ says the register supports foreign mobiles and describes verification options for people abroad.
- NBG: Its transaction-approval guidance describes using a foreign number for one-time codes once it has been linked to the service. Ask your own bank whether it accepts your number and how to register it.
- The myAADE AFM application: Its phone field accepts only 10 digits without an international prefix, so some foreign numbers will not fit. See our AFM guide and TAXISnet login guide for the available routes.
Buying a Greek SIM
A Greek mobile connection cannot be activated until the subscriber’s identity details have been provided, under Law 3783/2009, article 3. If you are buying a SIM in Greece, take your identity document and check the operator’s registration requirements.
Moving from prepaid to a contract
A contract can remove the need to keep topping up a prepaid number to avoid disconnection. According to CleverOffers, moving a number from prepaid to a contract can take up to one working day and is usually free. Confirm the process and any charges with the operator.
You will generally need your ID and Greek tax number (AFM), with details that match the operator’s records. Compare the ongoing monthly cost with a prepaid option before deciding.
For the other dates worth keeping track of, see our yearly admin calendar for owners of a Greek home abroad. If you want local help with property matters, see our administrative representation service in Athens.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026. Operator terms, prices and roaming arrangements can change. Confirm current terms with your mobile provider and bank.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Greek prepaid SIM last without a top-up?
It depends on the operator. Service may be restricted after a few months, while the number may be disconnected after roughly 12 to 13 months. Check the exact deadlines for your SIM.
What is the easiest way to keep it active from abroad?
You could use a long-validity option such as Vodafone CU Stay On or schedule regular online top-ups. Check current prices and terms with your operator.
Can I receive Greek SMS codes abroad?
Yes, if your SIM remains active and can connect through roaming. Receiving SMS within the EU and EEA generally carries no extra roaming charge. Check coverage and terms outside that area.
Can I use my foreign number instead?
For the National Contact Register and some banks, yes. Other applications have phone fields that may not accept your number. Check the requirements of each service before relying on it.