Best eSIM for Europe travel: card and data plans in 2024

In the rapidly changing digital world, mobile data is of great importance. You need it to follow a map, use digital tickets, or explore restaurant menus while you’re traveling in Europe. This is where eSIMs come in handy.

Basically, they are virtual alternatives to physical SIM cards, but you don’t need to embed them in your phone. Aside from this, the Europe eSIM providers allow you to reduce the costly roaming fees and easily switch between plans that fulfill your needs.

Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming number of eSIM providers, which makes the selection difficult. That’s why I tested 18 eSIM providers with EU country and regional plans to see which are best to stay connected traveling across Europe. Let me guide you through my research, key criteria, and (most importantly) my top eSIM list for Europe.

Best eSIM card for Europe: shortlist

1. Saily

   Best eSIM for Europe in 2024
   9.6
2. Airalo

   Budget-friendly Europe eSIM
   9.3
3. Jetpac

   Europe eSIM with a big country coverage
   9.2
4. aloSIM

   Easy-to-use Europe eSIM
   8.8
5. Nomad

   Best eSIM for Europe with seamless connectivity
   8.4

How do I choose the best eSIM for Europe

Choosing the best eSIM for Europe can be challenging with all the providers available on the market. However, I decided to make this easier and developed a complete list of all the aspects you should consider:

• Data allowance: One of the most important things to do is select an eSIM with a suitable data allowance for your needs. You can go for budget-friendly low-data options if you’re a light user or select a plan with enough data for more robust activities, such as video streaming.
• Trip duration: You must consider the duration of your travel so that you can prevent running out of data. Luckily, longer stays benefit from extended plans with more data to avoid constant renewals and spending extra money.
• Price: Affordability is key, so you shouldn’t assume the most expensive option is the best. In fact, most of the eSIM providers you’ll see on my list are very affordable, but they still cover everything you may need.
• Data transfer speeds: Another very essential factor for making the right choice is the data transfer speed. Therefore, you should see which networks the eSIM supports and pick the one with the fastest connections. More precisely, 5G is a lot faster than 4G and LTE.
• Country coverage: Maybe the most crucial aspect when searching for a Europe eSIM is to make sure that the provider covers all the countries you plan to visit. You may go for local plans, but your experience will be much better if you pick a plan with a regional Europe plan.
• Phone number: Most eSIMs lack a local phone number for calls and texts, but some offer this feature for an extra cost. So, if it’s not way over your budget, it is nice to consider adding this functionality.
• Compatibility: Europe has many countries with different mobile providers, which is why it’s important to have an eSIM that works with various devices.

Travel across Europe with Saily eSIM

Top 5 best eSIM cards for Europe travel: detailed list

I built my best eSIM cards for the European travel list focusing on cards’ coverage, data allowance, price, and ease of use. Having started with 18 leading eSIM providers, I soon narrowed my list to just 5 that all excels when it comes to EU plans and affordability. However, each also has something unique to offer:

1. Saily– best eSIM for Europe travel in 2024
2. Airalo – eSIM for multi-stop travel across Europe
3. Jetpac – eSIM for Europe with a huge variety of plans
4. aloSIM – user-friendly eSIM for Europe
5. Nomad – Europe eSIM with wide connectivity

Are you ready to learn more about each eSIM provider? Let’s begin!

1. Saily – best eSIM for Europe travel in 2024

Saily is the best overall eSIM for Europe due to its combination of wide EU coverage and profoundly affordable plans. This advanced eSIM combines broad coverage across Europe and top-notch affordability. In total, Saily offers numerous data plans in more than 150 countries in the world, including 37 EU country plans.

Saily includes both 7-day and 30-day eSIM plans that are accompanied by up to 20GB of data. This makes it perfect if you want to have more flexibility while traveling in your favorite European countries. But let’s make a short breakdown. The 7-day plan has only 1GB of data, while the 30-day deals offer from 3GB to 20GB of data.

When it comes to using Saily eSIM, I didn’t face any issues testing it in Spain. The app is straightforward and super intuitive. So I had Saily up and running in less than a few minutes. All you have to do is download the app and select the plan you want to use, and that’s it.

Last but not least, Saily is one of the cheapest eSIM providers on the market. Generally, its plans start at $8.21/month for 1GB of data for 7 days, but this also depends on the country (some may be more expensive). That said, you’ll be able to save a significant amount of money with Saily. Be sure to look for Saily coupon codes to maximize your savings!

For a deeper investigation of Saily, read our Saily review.

2. Airalo – best eSIM for a multi-stop vacation in Europe

Airailo might not look like the most wallet-friendly eSIM, but offers great value for money and far exceeds its competitors when it comes to coverage and plan flexibility. Its regional EU plans make it ideal for multi-stop vacations, while getting a global plan provides a phone number on top of just data. This provider is available in 200+ countries, including 39 European ones. Data connection with Airalo is instant upon arrival in Europe, and data usage is easy to monitor and top up in the app.

What I really liked about Airalo eSIM provider is that it comes with local, regional, and global plans. This means that you can either select an eSIM for your specific destination or choose a European plan and use it in multiple countries.

More precisely, its regional plan comes with up to 100GB of data for 180 days, but you can also go for the weekly deal with 1GB of data. In terms of the local plans, Airalo European eSIMs offer 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10GB of data, with a period of 7, 15, or 30 days. Unfortunately, all of its plans are data-only, meaning you won’t receive a phone number. To get a phone number, you should look into Airalo’s global plans.

Airalo’s activation is a piece of cake – download the app and choose a subscription. You can get most of its eSIM plans for $19.55/month unless you go for the regional deal that starts at $5/week. To make your purchase even more affordable, don't forget to look for Airalo discount codes that can help you save on your eSIM plans.

For a deeper investigation of Airalo, read our Airalo review.

3. Jetpac – Europe eSIM with a huge variety of plans

Jetpac offers 28 European countries, but it makes up for this with discounted lounge access and a fast-track immigration process at partner airports. This convenient feature enhances your traveling experience without charging extra.

Currently, you can use a Jetpac eSIM card in 28 countries on European soil. Each of its plans has 7 or 30 days and ranges from 1 GB to 40 GB of data. Unlike other providers, Jetpac doesn’t offer a regional plan for Europe. Still, it stands out from its competitors due to unique travel perks, such as free airport lounge access when flights are delayed for 1 hour or more.

If you decide that this is the most suitable eSIM for Europe that you can get, you just need to download its respective app, choose your preferred plan, and install it on your phone. Once you do this, you can pack your bags, and start exploring the fascinating Europe countries.

Jetpac is one of the most affordable eSIM providers on my list. New customers can get 1 GB for $1, while the cheapest Europe data plan starts at $5 for 3 GB.

4. aloSIM – user-friendly eSIM for Europe

aloSIM is a reliable EU travel eSIM with plans covering 34 countries in Europe. You can either go for an eSIM for a particular country you’ll be visiting or purchase the regional Europe plan and extend your trip to multiple countries. The top-up option lets you buy extra data (without buying a new plan) right in the app, while an intuitive app will make it a smooth experience throughout.

Regardless of which local plan you choose on aloSIM, you can pick from 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or 20GB of data in the duration of 7, 15, or 30 days. When it comes to its regional plans, you can select a general Europe eSIM or narrow down a bit and go for either Western or Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, aloSIM eSIM card comes with data-only plans, meaning you won’t get a phone number. Plus, all plans have fixed validity and expire on a set date, even if you have unused data balance left.

Activation-wise, aloSIM will take only a few minutes of your time. The process is as simple as it can be, meaning you only download aloSIM and purchase your plan. Also, the app comes with seamless navigation, so you shouldn’t have any issues.

Local European eSIM plans start at $19.55/month, which is a great value for money. Not to mention, aloSIM offers a lot of flexibility in its plans, helping you pick the one that suits you best.

For a deeper investigation of aloSIM, read our aloSIM review.

5. Nomad – Europe eSIM with multi-device support

Nomad is another efficient eSIM that works without a hitch across 38 European countries and covers over 110 countries around the world. Unlike other eSIMs I tested, it has multi-device support, letting you share your data plans across multiple devices. It’s ideal to stay effective on the go by connecting your smartphone, laptop, and tablet all at once.

All of Nomad’s plans are data-only (no phone number) and come with a duration of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days, with 1GB of data per day. If this is too short for you, you can always check out the regional Europe eSIM that allows you to use it either for 7 or 30 days. This plan has data of up to 20GB.

Although the regional Europe plan will provide seamless connectivity in EU, it doesn’t cover some European countries that aren’t in the European Union in its regional EU plan (Albania, Andorra, Gibraltar, Montenegro, and Serbia). It’s a slight inconvenience but no deal-breaker though, as you can singly purchase country plans for those.

Nomad eSIM goes an extra mile when it comes to additional features for its frequent users. For example, they are the only provider (among those I tested) to have an online calculator, helping to estimate how much data you’ll need depending on your travel destination. Their Nomad Passport feature lets you purchase a bundle of eSIMs with a hefty discount. Finally, Nomad Deals is their loyalty probram offering exclusive discounts to frequent users.

Is this the eSIM you’ve been looking for? I can assure you that Nomad offers incredible value for your money, and you’ll only need to pay $21.73/month for 1GB of data that will cover you for a day.

For a deeper investigation of Nomad, read our Nomad review.

Does my phone support Europe eSIM card?

While most of the newer phone models are compatible with eSIMs, not all of them support this technology innovation. More precisely, determining whether your phone supports an eSIM can be done either via settings or by contacting your mobile operator. Let’s explain this briefly:

If you have an iPhone, you can easily check the compatibility via settings. All you have to do is go to your phone’s Settings, go to General, click on About, and navigate to Available SIM. If this option is available together with a 15-digit IMEI number, your iPhone works with eSIM cards.

Generally, eSIMs are available on newer iPhone models, such as iPhone XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. If you can’t figure this out, you can reach out to your mobile operator and talk to an expert.

In terms of Android phones, the process varies depending on the manufacturer and the model. However, you should open Settings, click on Network & Internet or a similar option, and look for a SIM card or Mobile network. If you find an option to add a new SIM or mobile plan, your Android phone will likely support eSIM.

The same goes for Android users as well: if you can’t manage this, it’s best to contact your mobile operator or open the manufacturer’s official website.

Get best Europe eSIM

Do you need mobile data in European countries?

Yes, you will most likely need mobile data in European countries. As everything is digitalized nowadays, you may need to navigate yourself when traveling, check restaurant menus, check your traveling tickets, and more.

In fact, as travelers in European countries, like the UK and the Netherlands, mostly come from the US, Canada, and Australia, it will be pretty expensive for them to use roaming. That’s why data-only eSIMs can be the right solution.

Not only will you be able to browse online, but you can also use mobile data to make calls via VoIP apps, including WhatsApp or Telegram.

Can I use my mobile provider’s international data while traveling in Europe?

You can use your mobile provider’s international data while traveling in Europe, but you need to be aware of the few drawbacks this has.

First of all, it’s pretty expensive, so expect to pay $10-$20 per day. Also, the speeds of the Internet will slow down drastically, so even opening the simplest websites will take ages, many apps won’t work, and you can absolutely forget about social media usage.

Another drawback of the international data plans is that they come with very low data caps, and once you spend most of them (which will happen quickly), you will be left with slow speeds and almost no more data to use.

Lastly, keep an eye out for the automatic enrollment into these plans. Sometimes, mobile operators automatically activate the international data plan whenever you turn on mobile data on the device you’re using.

Benefits of using eSIM card in Europe

There are numerous benefits of using eSIM cards in Europe, so let’s move on to them right away:

• No need to search for a SIM card: As eSIMs are entirely digital, all you have to do is download it on your phone and pick your preferred plan. This saves a significant amount of time that you’ll usually spend when searching for a SIM card.
• Immediate delivery and no shipping fees: The whole process is online, so you won’t need to wait days to get your eSIM or pay any shipping fees. Instead, you’ll receive a QR code that you need to scan, and that’s it.
• Use two data plans at once: Another incredible benefit is that you can switch between your traditional SIM card and the eSIM at any time. What’s more, you can download more than one eSIM plan.
• Fraud alerts: eSIMs usually send alerts for fraud or simply implement two-factor authentication for better security.
• Don’t remove your current SIM card: As I said, you can have both your traditional SIM card and the eSIM at the same time. Therefore, this saves you the hassle of constantly changing SIM cards.
• Easier to add credit to your account: Topping up your eSIM plan is way easier than the traditional way. You don’t have to visit a mobile store near you. All you have to do is go to the official website or the eSIM settings and purchase more mobile data.

Get Saily eSIM for EU travel

Conclusion of best Europe eSIM card

eSIMs are becoming more and more popular, and how wouldn’t they? They save you time searching for a SIM card, everything is online, and you reduce the costly roaming fees. But you should carefully select your eSIM for Europe.

The best eSIM for Europe is Saily. Based on my in-depth research and tests, you will be able to use it in 37 European countries and benefit from the affordable plans. Ultimately, it offers a wide range of available data allowances.

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You may also like to read:
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FAQ

Does eSIM work in Europe?

Yes, eSIMs work in Europe. There are numerous providers that offer both local and regional eSIM plans for Europe, so you can find the one that best fits your needs.

Can I get an eSIM in Europe?

Yes, you can get an eSIM in Europe. All you have to do is find a provider that comes with such eSIMs and pick your preferred plan.

Which is the best eSIM for Europe?

The best eSIM for Europe is Saily. This fantastic provider allows you to enjoy its services in 37 countries, benefit from fast Internet speeds, and find the most suitable data allowance and eSIM plan length for your trip.

How can I get unlimited data in Europe?

To get unlimited data in Europe, you should search for a provider with such plans or a pay-as-you-go option. This functionality lets you top-up your data allowance at any time and prevent running out of data.

How much does eSIM cost in Europe?

The cost of the eSIM depends on the country and the provider. However, the most common price is around $4/week, although you can find eSIM plans for only $2/week.

What is the cheapest eSIM plan for Europe?

The cheapest eSIM plan for Europe is Instabridge. Its plans cost either $2/week or $2.50/week, which is almost half the price of what you’ll pay for another provider.

Can I use 5G with a Europe eSIM?

Yes, you can use 5G with a Europe eSIM. However, the eSIM provider must support 5G connections so that you can use it. Also, there needs to be 5G coverage in the country you’re visiting.