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Having access to data on your device while you’re travelling in a foreign country not only helps you stay in touch with friends and family back home, but it also helps you navigate your surroundings, access new experiences, and say yes to interesting opportunities.
In this article, we share the best eSIMs for Europe to help you get the most out of your next trip.
What’s an eSIM, you asked. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that uses the preinstalled software on your compatible device to easily give you access to data networks around the world.
Unlike the physical SIM card you received from your cell phone provider and had to manually put in your device, an eSIM is entirely digital and doesn’t require you to physically add or remove anything from your phone.
As long as your device is compatible, an eSIM can be installed in a few quick steps using a QR code, letting you enjoy data from multiple service providers in the countries you visit on your trip. Depending on which eSIM you choose, you can enjoy data-only options or data, texting, and calling options in nearly every country.
Having an eSIM while you travel has many benefits.
First and foremost, an eSIM lets you stay connected. This means that you can message friends and family through data-based messaging apps like WhatsApp, contact your hotel or Airbnb host, use ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft, and more.
Having these options at your fingertips can make your trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
Additionally, having an eSIM can help you access important travel details like flight times, tour information, and reservation numbers.
By having access to data on your phone/handheld device, you can also use online maps to navigate a new city, look up restaurants, and find unique places to explore.
And of course, if your pre-trip language lessons aren’t quite cutting it, you can use a translation app like Babbel to understand what’s written on a menu or sign, or to help make a new friend!
Before you set out, when choosing the best eSIM for Europe, there’s three key questions to ask yourself:
Are you travelling to multiple countries or just one?
eSIMs are typically offered for either single countries and for regions (e.g., Europe, Asia). Regional eSIMs provide the flexibility of working in multiple countries without having to buy multiple eSIMs and switching between them. Comparatively country-specific eSIMs tend to cost a bit less, but they’ll only work within the one specific country.
How long is your trip?
eSIMs will work for a set number of days once they’ve been activated. Depending on your destination(s) and the eSIM brand you choose, you can expect to find validity durations ranging from 5 days to 365 days, with the prices increasing based on how many days you want.
How much data do you typically use?
If you don’t use very much data each day, you may be able to get away with just choosing a bare minimum data package with your eSIM. The price when purchasing an eSIM will be higher the more data you want, so you’ll want to figure out how much you think you’ll use before purchasing.
That said, you can often buy top-up packages if you miscalculated your data usage and run out in the middle of your trip.
If you’re travelling to Europe on a budget, especially through multiple countries, opting for a regional eSIM will help you save money.
The first option in terms of the best eSIMs for Europe is Saily’s range of eSIMs.
With Saily, you can choose between an eSIM for a single country in Europe, or you can purchase their regional eSIM option which gives you reliable connectivity in 35 countries.
Saily’s eSIM for the region of Europe comes with the following package options:
In addition to providing an easy-to-install and to use eSIM, Saily also lets you earn Saily credits with each purchase, and you can Refer-a-Friend to get an additional $5 USD credit towards your next eSIM purchase.
Saily is also part of Nord Security, which owns NordVPN, one of the top VPN services in the world, so you can trust that your eSIM data is provided with a strong focus on security. Saily also has excellent customer service, and their support team is available to help you troubleshoot any issue that arises.
Plus, if you’re continuing your travels beyond Europe, Saily also offers a Global eSIM that works in 113 countries.
Since Saily charges US dollars for its eSIMs, you may want to consider using a credit card like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees so that you can save the 2.5% fee charged by most other Canadian credit cards.
The next option if you’re looking for the best eSIM for Europe is Airalo.
Airalo not only offers a variety of data-only eSIM packages for Europe, but they also have global packages that include data, calls, and texting for people who want to be able to enjoy local calls and texts while travelling.
This can be a particularly valuable option since there are only a handful of eSIM companies that offer the ability to have a local phone number which lets you make and receive calls/texts.
For your European travels, Airalo lets you choose between country-specific eSIMs, its European regional eSIM (which works in 42 countries), or its global eSIM options.
The European regional eSIM plan comes with the following data-only package options:
If you’re travelling to countries outside of Europe, or you really want to be able to call and text, Airalo’s Global eSIM works in 137 countries. The global data/call/text packages start at 1 GB and go up to 20 GB and provide between 10 minutes of calls and 10 SMS texts and 200 minutes and 200 SMS texts. The prices for these plans range from $21.00 CAD at the low end to $124.00 CAD on the high end and last for upwards of 365 days.
Comparatively, the data-only packages offer between 1–20 GB and cost between $12.50–96.00 CAD.
An added bonus when you purchase an eSIM from Airalo is that you will accumulate Airmoney, which can then be used to offset the cost of your next eSIM purchase. Read our full guide on Airalo for more details.
Our third recommendation for the best eSIM for European travels is the plans from Holafly, which give travellers unlimited data in over 30 destinations.
Like Saily and Airalo, Holafly offers both country-specific and region-specific options for Europe.
However, instead of having just one regional eSIM for Europe, Holafly lets you choose between four:
A unique part of Holafly’s eSIM plans is that you can select the exact number of days you want your eSIM to be active, and the price is determined accordingly. For example, if you select a 2-day European regional plan, you’ll pay $14 (or $7/day). Comparatively, if you choose a 90-day plan (which is the maximum plan length), you’ll pay $193 (or $2/day).
If you want to purchase a Holafly eSIM for your next travel, don’t forget to use the code MILESOPEDIA for 5% off at checkout.
Regardless of how long you want your plan, you’ll always enjoy unlimited data. Read our full guide on Holafly for more details.
Having an eSIM while you travel is an easy and affordable way to stay connected no matter where you are in the world, and there are now several options to find the best eSIM for Europe with companies like Saily, Airalo and Holafly.
Whether you’re navigating a new city, translating a menu a local restaurant, or communicating with folks back home, an eSIM lets you enjoy reliable connectivity while saving on roaming charges.
eSIMs are digital SIM cards that use your compatible device’s preinstalled software to provide you with data access while you travel.
To use an eSIM, you’ll need to do the following:
Most recent iPhone models allow you to store up to eight eSIMs, but only two (one physical SIM and one eSIM, or two eSIMs) can be active at the same time.
To activate an eSIM on your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan, then scan the QR code provided by your eSIM provider or enter the details manually. Follow the on-screen instructions, and your new mobile data plan will be activated within minutes.
Yes, eSIMs are safe when they are purchased from reliable vendors like Saily, Airalo, and Holafly.
eSIMs were introduced back in 2016, so at this time the majority of new devices are eSIM compatible.
Each eSIM vendor will have a list of compatible devices on their website for you to check, but generally speaking, newer products from the following brands are usually compatible:
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