How to Get a Greek SIM Card Without an AFM Number (The 2025 Tourist Guide)

Welcome to Greece! You’re ready for the sun-drenched islands of Santorini, the ancient history of the Acropolis, and the vibrant food scene in Crete. You land at Athens International Airport (ATH), excited to order a Beat (Greece's Uber) or check your Airbnb reservation, only to find your phone has no signal.

No problem, you think. I'll just grab a local SIM card.

You walk into the "Germanos" or "Cosmote" store right there in the arrivals hall, pull out your passport and credit card, and then... you're stopped by three letters: AFM.

The staff member politely asks, "Do you have your AFM number?"

You're a tourist on a 10-day vacation. What on earth is an AFM number?

What is an AFM Number (And Why Do They Need It?)

AFM (stands for Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou - ΑΦΜ) is the official Greek Tax Identification Number. It's like a Social Security Number in the U.S. or a National Insurance Number in the U.K.

Due to strict Greek government regulations (similar to Italy's "Codice Fiscale"), all local mobile providers (like Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova) are required by law to register a SIM card to a person's official AFM tax ID.

This system is designed for residents, not for tourists visiting for two weeks. As a traveler, you don't have an AFM, and getting one involves a trip to a local tax office—a bureaucratic nightmare you definitely don't want on your vacation.

The Airport "Tourist Trap": Getting Rejected for a SIM Card

This is where the dream vacation hits its first snag. You are a customer with money in hand, ready to buy, but you are turned away.

This is the common, frustrating experience for thousands of travelers:

• You wait in line at the airport mobile shop, tired from your flight.

• You ask for a prepaid SIM card for tourists.

• You are asked for an AFM and, sometimes, a Greek address.

• You are politely rejected and told it's impossible without the proper paperwork.

Now you're stuck: no data, no maps, no way to contact your hotel, and forced to hunt for unreliable (and often insecure) public Wi-Fi. This is the "papeleo" (paperwork) you wanted to escape on vacation, not dive into.

The Solution: How an eSIM Skips 100% of the Bureaucracy

Here’s the secret the airport stores won't tell you: You don't need a local subscription, you just need data.

A tourist eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital prepaid data package. Because it's not a formal, long-term Greek phone contract, it is not subject to the same strict AFM registration laws.

With an eSIM, you get to skip the bureaucracy entirely.

• NO AFM Number Needed: Your purchase is for a temporary data plan, not a registered local number.

• NO Paperwork: No need to show your passport, fill out forms, or visit a tax office.

• NO Airport Lines: You can buy and install it from home before you even fly.

• INSTANT Activation: The moment your plane lands in Greece, you turn on your eSIM, and you are online. Immediately.

You can walk past the frustrated crowds at the Germanos store, scan your QR code, and be ordering your ride to the Parthenon while others are still arguing about paperwork.

How to Get Your Greece eSIM (3 Easy Steps)

Getting connected for your Greek trip is this simple:

1. Check Compatibility: Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible (all iPhone 11s, Google Pixels, and Samsung Galaxy S-series phones from the last few years are).

2. Choose Your Plan: Select the eSIM Greece data package that fits your trip (e.g., 10GB for 14 days).

3. Install & Activate: You'll get an instant QR code. Scan it, and your eSIM is installed. Turn it on when you land in Athens, and you're connected.

The Clear Choice: eSIM vs. Local SIM

The difference for a tourist is night and day.

Trying to get a local SIM means you must have an AFM number. It requires you to find a store, wait in line, present paperwork, and hope for approval. Even then, activation isn't always instant.

With an eSIM, there is no AFM required and zero paperwork. You buy it online in two minutes from the comfort of your home before you even leave. The best part? You're connected the second your plane's wheels touch the ground in Greece. You can completely skip the line and the rejection at the airport store.

Don't Let Paperwork Ruin Your Trip

Your vacation in Greece should be about exploring ancient ruins and enjoying the Mediterranean, not visiting a tax office. Don't let the "AFM" barrier cut you off.

Get a Greece eSIM data plan and get connected the smart way.