The Best eSIM Providers for European Travel
Staying connected while traveling in Europe is easier than ever with eSIMs. That's because instead of dealing with expensive roaming fees or hunting for local SIM cards, you can activate an eSIM instantly and enjoy reliable mobile data since your arrival in your new place. We are big believers in this technology and we have been testing and using many eSIM providers during our travels.
Similar to the rest of the world, when it comes to Europe, all eSIM providers offer two types of plans: country-specific (those that work only in one country and are ideal for short trips) and regional plans (those that overs multiple countries and are perfect for multi-destination travel).
This roundup of the best eSIM for Europe will include both options for each provider, so you can choose the best fit for your trip. Let's see which are your best options.
Best eSIMs for Europe: Our Shortlist
- Best Overall eSIM for Europe Travel: Airalo
- Best Europe eSIM for Remote Work: Holafly
- Best Europe eSIM for Online Security: Saily
- Best Europe eSIM for One-Off Installation: Ubigi
- Best Europe eSIM for Extra Perks: Jetpac
- Best for Making Calls in Europe: aloSIM
- Best Europe eSIM for Loyalty Discounts: Yesim
1. Airalo - Best Overall eSIM for Europe
- Coverage: 42 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $5.00
- Free International Phone Number: Not included
- Device Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
If you’re looking for a reliable and budget-friendly eSIM for Europe, Airalo is hard to beat. It’s one of the most popular eSIM providers worldwide, and for good reasons: it's flexible and offers affordable data plans in 42 European countries (the widest coverage available). With them, you can choose between country-specific eSIMs or the Eurolink regional eSIM, which lets you stay connected seamlessly across multiple European countries without switching plans.
Packages are generally competitively priced and last from a few days to months and another nice bonus if you decide to go with Airalo is their Airmoney loyalty program. Every time you top up, you get 5% back in credit, making it a solid choice for frequent travelers.
That said, Airalo’s eSIMs are data-only, so if you need a local phone number for calls and texts, you’ll have to rely on WhatsApp or other VoIP apps. Plus, they don’t offer unlimited data. But for most travelers, they are likely the best choice for Europe.
How to Buy & Activate
- Download the Airalo app and create an account.
- Choose a country-specific or Eurolink regional plan.
- Purchase the eSIM using the discount code 'FN10' at checkout for 10% OFF
- Follow the app's installation guide and enable eSIM in your phone’s settings.
- Connect to a local network upon arrival in Europe.
2. Holafly - Best for Remote Work
- Coverage: 40 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $6.90
- Free International Phone Number: Not included
- Device Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
If staying connected without worrying about data limits is your priority, Holafly is the most solid pick for you. Unlike many eSIM providers, Holafly offers unlimited data plans, making it a top choice for remote workers, digital nomads, and anyone who needs a larger amount of data for work, video calls, and streaming.
You can choose from country-specific eSIMs or a Europe-wide eSIM that covers 40+ countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Setup is automatic, so there’s no need to scan QR codes or tweak settings, and 24/7 customer support is always great when needed.
The biggest drawback is the higher price compared to other providers, so if you don’t need unlimited data, a cheaper option like Airalo might make more sense. But like Airalo, Holafly’s eSIMs are data-only, so you’ll need WhatsApp, Skype, or other VoIP apps to make calls and send texts. If you need calls, they are both not your best option.
Pros and Cons
How to Buy & Activate:
- Visit the Holafly website and choose a country-specific or regional Europe plan
- Complete the purchase using our code 'FREAKINGNOMADS' at checkout for 5% OFF
- Install the eSIM by following the on-screen instructions or scanning the QR code.
- Activate the eSIM and set it as your primary data plan.
- Connect automatically to a local network upon arrival in Europe.
3. Saily - Best for Online Security
- Coverage: 35 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $4.49
- Free International Phone Number: Not included
- Device Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
Saily is a newer player in the eSIM market, but it’s already standing out by offering affordable data plans with a strong focus on security. Developed by the team behind NordVPN, Saily includes built-in privacy features, such as a virtual location tool, ad blocker, and web protection.
Saily’s pay-as-you-go pricing is another advantage. It keeps costs flexible and helps travelers avoid overpaying for unnecessary data. You can choose between country-specific or regional eSIMs, with plans ranging from one day to several months.
However, Saily’s coverage isn’t as wide as bigger names like Airalo or Holafly, and it doesn’t offer unlimited data. It’s also data-only, so if you need a local phone number for calls and texts, you’ll have to rely on WhatsApp. However, for privacy-conscious travelers looking for an affordable and secure eSIM, Saily is a strong contender.
Pros and Cons
How to Buy & Activate:
- Download the Saily app and create an account.
- Choose a country-specific or regional Europe plan.
- Complete the purchase using the code 'FREAKINGNOMADS5' for 5% OFF
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install and activate your eSIM
- Upon arrival, your device automatically connects to a local network
4. Ubigi - Best for One-Off Installation
- Coverage: 35 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $2
- Free International Phone Number: Not included
- Device Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
Ubigi is a budget-friendly eSIM provider backed by NTT Docomo, one of Japan’s largest telecom companies. It’s a great choice for travelers who want affordable, flexible data plans without the hassle of constantly switching eSIMs. Plans range from 500MB to 10GB, covering both country-specific and regional options for Europe.
What makes Ubigi stand out is its one-time installation. That means that once you set it up, you can reuse the eSIM across multiple European countries without scanning a new QR code each time. This makes it one of the easiest eSIMs to use, especially for frequent travelers.
The trade-off is smaller coverage compared to competitors like Airalo or Holafly, and it doesn’t offer unlimited data. Since it’s data-only, you’ll need WhatsApp or other VoIP apps for calls and texts.
Pros and Cons
How to Buy & Activate:
- Vist the Ubigi website and create an account
- Install the eSIM once through the app
- Choose and purchase a country-specific or regional Europe plan using the code FN10 for 10% OFF
- Activate the eSIM in your device settings
- Connect to a local network automatically upon arrival
5. Jetpac - Best for Extra Perks
- Coverage: 28 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $1
- Free International Phone Number: Not included
- Devices Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
Jetpac is an affordable eSIM provider backed by Circles.Life, a major telecom company, and partners with top carriers like Vodafone and KDDI to offer reliable coverage across 28 European countries. While its coverage isn’t as broad as some competitors, it makes up for it with great perks designed for frequent travelers.
One of our favorite features is their free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed by more than two hours—a rare bonus among eSIM providers. Another big plus is the ability to top up your plan as needed, so you don’t have to swap eSIMs every time you travel.
Jetpac doesn’t offer unlimited data, and its coverage is smaller compared to Airalo or Holafly. But if you are looking for a budget-friendly eSIM with unique benefits, we strongly vouch for Jetpac.
Pros and Cons
How to Buy & Activate:
- Download the Jetpac app and create an account
- Choose a country-specific or regional Europe plan and purchase the eSIM using the code FRN10 for a 10% discount
- Follow the on-screen instructions for automatic installation or scan the QR code
- Activate the eSIM in your device settings
- Connect to a local network automatically upon arrival
6. aloSIM - Best for Making Calls
- Coverage: 35 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $5
- Free International Phone Number: Included (via Hushed)
- Devices Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
We mentioned how most eSIM providers in our list offer data-only plans, but aloSIM actually stands out as they include a phone number along with its European eSIM packages. Through their sister company Hushed, travelers get a free U.S. or Canadian phone number, making it easy to stay reachable for calls and texts. The first 30 minutes of calls or 50 texts are free, and the number remains active as long as your data plan is valid.
In addition to the phone number perk, aloSIM offers pretty affordable, flexible data plans covering 30+ European countries. Travelers can top up as needed without reinstalling an eSIM, making it a convenient option for extended stays or frequent trips.
One of the downsides of aloSIM it's that it doesn’t include unlimited data like Holafly does, and its coverage isn’t as wide as Airalo, but it's worth considering for those who need both data and the ability to make calls without relying solely on VoIP apps.
Pros and Cons
How to Buy & Activate:
- Download the aloSIM app and create an account
- Select a country-specific or regional Europe plan and complete the purchase within the app using promo code FREAKINGNOMADS for $3 OFF
- Follow the provided instructions to install the eSIM
- Activate the eSIM in your device settings
- Connect to a local network upon arrival in Europe
7. Yesim - Best for Loyalty Discounts
- Coverage: 33 European countries
- Europe Regional plan: Offered
- Starting Price: $7.15
- Local Phone Number: Not included
- Devices Supported: iOS, Android
- Hotspot/Tethering: Yes
Yesim is another flexible eSIM provider that offers affordable data plans across 35 European countries. One of its biggest advantages is its loyalty-based discounts: the more you use its eSIM, the more benefits you unlock. This makes it a cost-effective choice if you need an eSIM for multiple trips or extended stays in Europe.
Yesim’s main drawbacks are that it doesn’t include a local phone number and its coverage is not as wide as that of other eSIM providers on our list. simplest and easy-to-manage eSIM and you can count on their solid coverage.
Pros and Cons
How to Buy & Activate:
- Download the Yesim app and create an account
- Choose a country-specific or regional Europe plan and buy your eSIM using the code Freaking3 at the checkout to get $3.30 OFF
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the eSIM
- Activate the eSIM in your device settings
- Connect to a local network upon arrival in Europe
How to Choose the Best eSIM for Your Trip to Europe
With so many eSIM providers out there, finding the right one for your European trip can feel overwhelming, we know that.
In our experience, the best option for us usually depends on how we travel, how much data we usually need, and whether we require extra features like a phone number or unlimited data. Below are some key factors to consider specifically.
Coverage
Not all eSIMs cover every country in Europe. Some, like Airalo and Holafly, offer widespread coverage across 40+ countries, while others have smaller networks. Always check that your eSIM covers the European country on your itinerary before buying an eSIM.
Data Allowance
Your internet usage will determine the best plan. Heavy users (video calls, remote work, streaming) should use Holafly, which offers unlimited data but if you just need some casual browsing, any other cheaper options would work best.
Price
eSIM prices vary significantly. Budget-friendly providers like Ubigi and Jetpac offer cheaper plans but may have limited coverage or higher per-GB rates in some European countries. Providers like Holafly, on the other hand, provide unlimited data but that obviously comes at a premium price.
Phone Number
Most eSIMs mentioned in our list are data-only, meaning you’ll need WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime for calls. However, there are providers like aloSIM that include a free international phone number instead, allowing you to make and receive calls the traditional way if you wish to.
Extra Perks
Beyond basic data, some eSIMs offer unique travel-friendly perks. Jetpac, for example, offers free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed, while Saily has built-in security features like a VPN and ad blocker for safer browsing.
FAQs About Using eSIMs in Europe
What is an eSIM and how does it work?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that lets you connect to mobile networks without inserting a physical SIM. Instead of swapping SIM cards, you simply download an eSIM profile, activate it on your phone, and start using data right away. It works just like a regular SIM, just without the hassle of carrying extra cards.
Can I use one eSIM for multiple European countries?
Yes! Many eSIM providers in our list offer regional eSIMs that work across multiple European countries. With a Europe-wide eSIM, you can travel freely without switching plans or buying separate SIMs in each country. Just check the provider’s coverage to make sure it includes all your destinations.
Do eSIMs work on all phones?
Not all phones support eSIMs. Most newer smartphones, including the iPhone XR and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and some Huawei models, are eSIM-compatible. If you’re unsure, check your phone’s settings:
- On iPhone → Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If you see an option to add an eSIM, your phone supports it.
- On Android → Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager (varies by brand).
Can I use my eSIM and physical SIM together?
Yes! Most dual-SIM phones allow you to use an eSIM for data while keeping your physical SIM for calls and texts. Just make sure your phone supports dual SIM with eSIM before trying to use both at the same time.
Are eSIMs cheaper than roaming?
In most cases, yes. Roaming charges from your home carrier can be extremely expensive, often charging $10+ per day for basic usage. eSIMs generally provide a cheaper, more flexible alternative, with affordable data plans that you can choose based on your needs.
Ready to Pick an eSIM for Your Trip To Europe?
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