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If you’re organizing a trip to the EU or another European country, consider getting a reliable SIM card for Europe. By having internet while you travel, you’ll be able to look up information easily and quickly, obtain attraction schedules, and access Google Maps. You can even check your email or book a last-minute hotel.
In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to choose the best SIM card for Europe. I’ll tell you now that I always use the Holafly eSIM, which offers digital European SIM cards with unlimited data, as well as coverage in over 32 European destinations. Since it’s a digital SIM, you can install it in just a few minutes, so if that sounds good to you, click our link below for an Holafly discount.
Of course, there are other international SIM cards for Europe besides Holafly, so keep reading to learn about some other options. I’ll provide an overview of each card, including its pros and cons, so you can choose the most convenient option for your trip.
Roaming in Europe and free data in all EU countries with a single Europe SIM card
Before diving into the best European SIM cards, you need to understand how roaming works in Europe. Roaming is when you use a SIM card from a country in a different country for accessing data, making calls, or receiving text messages. Roaming services are possible through agreements between phone companies of different countries. Most of the time, roaming is very expensive even if you travel to the cheapest places to visit in Europe and you can get a huge bill when you return home if you use it. That is why, most of the time, we recommend avoiding roaming.
Roaming in Europe and free data in all EU countries with a single Europe SIM card
That said, a few years ago, the European Union passed an interesting law that made roaming free between the countries of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. In other words, if you get a SIM card for Europe, you’ll be able to use your data throughout the continent, regardless of where you bought it. When you access the Internet, you’ll be charged the same rates as the ones in the SIM card’s country of origin.
Now, if you intend to use roaming during your trip with a non-European SIM card, keep in mind that the price is generally very expensive. To avoid hefty rates and a pricey phone bill, I recommend using a European SIM card. I’m sharing four great options in this article, so you can still use data and access the Internet without running up a large bill.
However, if you’re going to travel to a European country that’s not part of the agreement, remember to double-check that your phone’s roaming option is disabled. Otherwise, your device will start roaming automatically once you land at your destination. For example, you will need a SIM Card for Andorra, if you want to visit this country and avoid roaming fees.
European SIM cards price comparison
To help you get a quick overview of the different European SIM card options in this article, here is a chart comparing each one’s price. You can also see the differences in duration and amount of data.
DAYS | 5 DAYS | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS | 30 DAYS | 60 DAYS | 90 DAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Holafly eSIM | $19/unlimited | $27/unlimited | $47/unlimited | $57/unlimited | $69/unlimited | $87/unlimited | $99/unlimited |
SimOptions | $30/8GB | $18/5GB | |||||
Orange | $30/8GB | ||||||
Vodafone | $10/50GB | ||||||
BEST SIM CARDS FOR EUROPE |
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Remember to consider the length of your trip before buying a SIM card for Europe since a two-week visit won’t require as much data as a months-long getaway.
Moreover, you’ll see that I’ve included the Holafly eSIM card for Europe as well as the most popular local European SIM cards, which I’ll discuss in detail below.
What is the best SIM card for Europe?
After analyzing each SIM card for Europe and comparing the details, it looks like the best option for a two-week trip is the Holafly eSIM. It offers unlimited data at the same price as SimOptions and Orange, with the added benefit that you can install and activate it before leaving for your trip. This way, you’ll be able to access the Internet in Europe as soon as you arrive at your destination.
On the other hand, if you plan on traveling for a month and you don’t think you’ll need much data, there are cheaper local SIM cards for Europe. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to get your SIM until you reach your destination, and in the case of Vodafone, you’ll have to go to one of the authorized retailers to buy it.
Keep reading to learn more about each of these tourist SIM cards for Europe and what to expect from each one.
1. Holafly eSIM, the best SIM card for Europe
First, the Holafly eSIM is one of the best options, and my personal favorite whenever I travel. This eSIM card for Europe is super convenient since all you have to do is order it on the website to get it delivered straight to your phone. As soon as you make the purchase, you’ll receive an email with a QR code, so just scan it and you’ll activate your digital SIM card for Europe.
1. Holafly eSIM, the best SIM card for Europe
What’s so great about Holafly is that you can get the international eSIM anywhere in the world, whether you’re already in Europe, the US, or any other country. You can even order it before you take off, so you can be prepared to access the Internet as soon as you land at your destination. Just make sure that you check here to ensure that your device is compatible with this type of eSIM for European travel.
Another nice thing about this option is that it’s quite useful for phones that don’t have a dual SIM slot. Rather than having to take out your original SIM and replace it with a SIM card for Europe (and risk losing your original card), you can simply go digital. Plus, if you run into any problems or concerns, you can contact Holafly’s support team 24/7.
Yet another advantage of Holafly is that it has a large variety of plans, so you don’t have to pay a huge amount for longer-term data. Even if you’re only going to be traveling for a week, you can find plans with unlimited data, so it’s ideal for remote workers, staying in touch with loved ones, or searching useful info on the Web. If you decide to go with this option, don’t forget that you can get a 5% discount on Holafly just for being our reader.
DAYS | PRICE | GB |
|---|---|---|
5 days | $19 | Unlimited |
7 days | $27 | Unlimited |
15 days | $47 | Unlimited |
20 days | $57 | Unlimited |
30 days | $69 | Unlimited |
60 days | $87 | Unlimited |
90 days | $99 | Unlimited |
2. SimOptions card, another reliable SIM card for Europe
In case the Holafly eSIM isn’t compatible with your phone, or you prefer a physical SIM card for Europe, consider getting one with SimOptions.
You can easily request your card through this link to receive it at home. They deliver to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most countries in Europe. However, check before the delivery time here, so you make sure it arrives on time. To install the card, all you have to do is remove your original SIM and insert the new one. This is even easier if your phone has a dual SIM slot since you can keep both cards inserted.
You’ll immediately be able to use data on your device, but if you have any questions or issues, you can contact customer service by phone, chat, or email.
While it’s true that SimOptions has cheaper prices than Holafly, SimOptions’ plans don’t offer as much data. So, if you want to work from abroad or you know you’ll be consuming a lot of data, you may end up running out and having to purchase another plan. I always prefer having a European SIM card with unlimited data, which is why I choose Holafly.
Of course, SimOptions has the benefit of allowing users to share data (something you can’t do with the unlimited Holafly plans), so you can buy an international SIM card and use it on several devices.
DAYS | PRICE | GB |
|---|---|---|
14 days | $30 | 8 GB |
14 days | $50 | 20 GB |
30 days | $18 | 5 GB |
30 days | $25 | 10 GB |
30 days | $45 | 30 GB |
3. Orange card, a popular SIM card for Europe
If you’re looking for another one of the best SIM cards for Europe, consider Orange. This is a well-known telecommunications company in many European countries, so it works very well and offers coverage in over 30 destinations.
To get this SIM card for Europe, you must go to one of the physical stores, which are in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. If you aren’t going to any of those countries, you can request the card through SimOptions and have it delivered to your hotel. Just be aware that the delivery can take up to three business days.
Moreover, the Orange SIM card for Europe configures itself automatically, so once you insert it, you’ll be able to start accessing the Web immediately. Just make sure that the roaming service is activated on your phone first.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be traveling for longer than the duration of your plan, you’ll have to register your SIM card on the Orange website. If you don’t, it will be automatically canceled once it expires.
To sum up, while this is a cheap prepaid SIM card for Europe, it only offers two-week plans. Also, if you aren’t traveling to the countries I mentioned above, you’ll have to order your SIM by mail. For this reason, I prefer paying a bit more for the Holafly eSIM since I receive it immediately.
DAYS | PRICE | GB |
|---|---|---|
15 days | $30 | 8 GB |
15 days | $50 | 20 GB |
ORANGE CARD |
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4. Vodafone, another European SIM card you can use
Finally, Vodafone is another large telecommunications company in Europe, with physical stores in Albania, the Czech Republic, Germany, the UK, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. If the first stop on your travel itinerary is in any of those countries, you can go to one of the retail stores and get your European SIM card in person.
Otherwise, I don’t recommend getting this SIM card for Europe since Vodafone doesn’t offer home delivery outside of the countries I mentioned above.
As long as you’ll be in one of those destinations, the Vodafone SIM card for Europe is a viable option. The prices are quite cheap, there are various plans with lots of data, and you can share data with several devices. In addition, the installation process is simple since you can insert the card into your mobile device to instantly access the Internet. If you want to keep this travel SIM for Europe beyond the duration of your plan, just renew it.
DAYS | PRICE | GB |
|---|---|---|
30 days | $10 | 50 GB |
30 days | $15 | 100 GB |
30 days | $20 | 140 GB |
30 days | $30 | 160 GB |
30 days | $40 | 190 GB |
VODAFONE |
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Where to buy a SIM card for Europe
You can buy a SIM card for Europe before you travel or once you land, although it’ll depend on which option you choose. If you prefer getting everything set up before your trip, you’ll want a travel eSIM for Europe. However, if you’re more flexible, you can buy the SIM once you arrive at your destination.
Buy a SIM card for Europe before your trip
If you want to get a SIM card for your Europe trip before you leave your home country, then the Holafly eSIM is the best option. In this case, you’ll receive it digitally via email, so all you have to do is scan the QR code to activate it on your device. You can even contact customer support to clear up any issues or confusion before your trip.
Buy a SIM card for Europe before your trip
If your phone isn’t compatible with Holafly, or you prefer a physical SIM card for Europe, you can also order a SimOptions SIM Card and will be delivered at home, before your trip. Just make sure you order it with plenty of time.
Buy a European SIM card upon arrival
Another alternative is to buy a European SIM card once you arrive at your destination. You can do so at the airport or at one of the physical Orange or Vodafone stores. Of course, with this option, you won’t be able to access the Internet until you insert the SIM into your device.
Buy a European SIM card upon arrival
Also, keep in mind that sometimes it’s a pain to find the store and wait in line to buy your SIM card. This can waste valuable vacation time, which is why I always try to avoid this option. Instead, I prefer purchasing an eSIM card before my trip so that once I land, I can focus on exploring new places and enjoying myself.
To buy your SIM card in Europe, you’ll need to show your passport and complete the registration process for the card. Then, you can insert the SIM into your device to start using data on your phone. I always recommend checking that everything is working correctly before you leave the store, so you can avoid any inconveniences later on. To review the data, you can look at the phone’s USSD codes, and the employees at the store should be able to help you if you’re not sure how to do this.
How to activate a European SIM card
Again, the Holafly eSIM for Europe is activated automatically once you scan the QR code that arrives in your email. For physical SIMs, you must insert it into your device first.
How to activate a European SIM card
Setup is usually automatic, so you shouldn’t have any problems. However, I always suggest waiting until your phone has an Internet signal so you can be sure that it’s working correctly. This way, you can sort out any issues in the store.
If you ordered your SIM card for Europe from home, you could contact the customer service team to resolve any problems.
Requirements to use a SIM card in Europe
To buy a European SIM card, all you need is a valid passport. Simply choose the data plan you want, either online or in-store, and you can make your purchase.
In the case of Holafly, you can check your phone’s compatibility with the European travel eSIM through this link. Holafly is compatible with over 200 phone models, so your device should work without any problems. If you’re interested in learning more about how the Holafly eSIM works, check out our guide and click our link for a 5% discount on your purchase.
Regardless of the type of European SIM card you choose, you must make sure that your phone is unlocked and compatible with your destination country’s network frequency. This is the most important thing to remember if you want to use a travelers data plan in Europe.
Now you know everything you need to decide which SIM card for Europe is best for you. As you can see, you have several options to choose from, so I’m sure you’ll find one that suits your needs, budget, and preferences.
If you have any questions, or you want to share your experience with these physical or virtual SIM cards for Europe, leave me a comment below. I will be delighted to hear from you.
Until then, have a great trip, and enjoy Europe!
