Starlink in Greece solved our internet problem on Karpathos. Before, we used a landline connection and mobile SIM cards as a hotspot. Both were slow and dropped out often. Below we share what Starlink costs, how fast it is in practice, how it handles the wind and what to think about if you only use your house part of the year.

This article reflects Starlink's prices and plans in October 2026. They change often, so always check the current prices on starlink.com.

Why internet is a problem on Greek islands

On the islands a stable connection is often hard to find, especially outside the towns. Mobile signal is usually good in a town like Pigadia, but weak in many villages and remote areas. With a landline or a SIM card our download speed was around 7 Mbps, and upload barely reached 1 Mbps on a good day.

That matters if you work from home. It also matters for anyone who rents out a house, runs a business or simply wants to make a video call with family without the picture freezing.

How Starlink works

Starlink is satellite internet from SpaceX. You place a dish outside your house, connect it to the router that comes with it, and the dish connects to satellites in a low orbit. In our case the internet worked within a few minutes after we connected the dish.

What Starlink costs in Greece

You buy the hardware once and then pay a monthly subscription. In 2026 the standard kit with dish and router costs around €349, plus shipping. The smaller Starlink Mini costs around €229. The standard Residential plan costs around €65 per month in Greece. Starlink regularly runs offers on hardware and cheaper plans, so compare before you order.

A landline or an unlimited mobile plan costs about the same per month. The difference is the one-time cost of the hardware.

Speed in practice

On our 200 Mbps plan we usually get between 100 and 200 Mbps download and between 20 and 60 Mbps upload. Speed tests from other users in Greece show lower figures, often 50 to 150 Mbps download, depending on the time of day and how many people use Starlink in the area. Either way it is many times faster than what we had before. Video calls are sharp now, and we can share our screen without delays.

Wind and weather

We live in Afiartis, one of the windiest places on Karpathos. In summer the wind is so strong that we hesitated to put a dish on our roof. Starlink dishes are built for rain, heat and strong wind, and ours has stayed firmly in place since we installed it. Rain and storms have not cut our connection. The only time we lost internet was during a power cut.

Installing the dish

Place the dish where it has a clear view of the sky, without trees or buildings in the way. On most houses the roof is the best spot. Many Greek houses have a flat roof, so you can place the dish on its stand and secure it there. For a sloping roof, a wall or a higher spot on a pole, Starlink sells separate mounts.

Starlink for a holiday home

Until 2025 you could pause your Starlink subscription for free. That is no longer possible. Starlink replaced it with Standby Mode, which costs €5 per month and gives you a very slow connection of around 0.5 Mbps. That is enough for an alarm or a smart thermostat, not for normal use. If you only use your house in summer, you switch to Standby Mode when you leave and back to a full plan when you return.

Would we recommend it?

Yes. For us Starlink turned slow, unreliable internet into a connection we can work with every day. If you buy a house on Karpathos outside Pigadia, or anywhere on a Greek island with weak mobile signal, we would include Starlink in your budget from the start. You find houses for sale on our properties page, and in Buying a house on Karpathos we explain what daily life on the island is like.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Starlink cost in Greece?

In October 2026 the home plans cost €35, €45 or €65 per month, depending on the speed. The hardware comes with the subscription, so there is no upfront cost. Prices change often, so check starlink.com before you order.

Does Starlink work in strong wind?

Yes. Our dish has been on the roof in Afiartis, one of the windiest places on Karpathos, without problems. Make sure it is properly secured.

Can I pause Starlink when I'm not on the island?

Not for free anymore. You can switch to Standby Mode for €5 per month, which keeps a very slow connection for things like an alarm.

Is Starlink faster than mobile internet on Karpathos?

In most places, yes. Outside the towns mobile internet is often slow, while Starlink gives the same speed everywhere on the island.