The 10 Best eSIMs for Europe: Data Plans for Traveling

Key Takeaways: These Are the Best eSIM Services for Europe

1. Airalo — The best overall Europe eSIM, with a free trial plus data, call and SMS plans. 
2. Saily — The best data-only eSIM with top-notch customer support. 
3. Nomad — An excellent Europe eSIM, with flexible pricing. 
4. Holafly — The best unlimited data eSIM for Europe. 
5. Jetpac — A budget-friendly data-only eSIM for Europe. 
6. Roamless — A reliable eSIM for data in Europe, offering in-app calls. 
7. aloSIM — A user-friendly Europe eSIM with a phone number. 
8. Yesim — A Europe eSIM with a range of plan types that may be ideal for studying abroad. 
9. GigSky — A Europe eSIM with the best variety of plans. 
10.  Orange Travel eSIM — A European eSIM with data, call and SMS packages. 

Facts & Expert Analysis About eSIM for Europe Travel:

• Plan types: While some eSIM carriers are data-only, some, like Airalo, offer plans that also allow calls and texts. Check if your chosen provider caters to your needs before making a purchase. 
• Pricing: Pricing varies from provider to provider, but most standard regional eSIM plans for Europe start at around $5 for 1GB. Seven days is a common starting validity period, but there’s a lot of variation. 
• Extra features: If you’re a sucker for deals, keep an eye out for providers that offer extras like security and privacy features (like Saily) or free VPN trials (like Jetpac). 

Best eSIM for Europe

www.airalo.com

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There are plenty of eSIM providers for international travelers on the market, but the abundance of options can make choosing a plan frustrating. All eSIM plans are similar at the core, but each provider has a unique set of features and pros and cons to consider. In this guide, we’ll reveal the overall best eSIM for Europe and alternatives to check out. 

If you’re a little late to the party, an eSIM is a digital SIM card — an alternative to the traditional physical SIM card. Travel eSIMs provide mobile data and, in some cases, call-and-text plans, and you manage them online rather than having to insert a physical card into your phone.

If this sounds good to you, we hope our roundup helps you choose the best Europe eSIM for you. 

Cloudwards’ Choice: What’s the Best eSIM for Europe? Airalo

Cloudwards’ Choice: Airalo’

Kit Copson is a Cloudwards expert in geoblocking, eSIMs and VPNs.

Airalo is my recommendation for the best Europe eSIM thanks to its affordable pricing, user-friendliness and free trial eSIM in some European countries. It also has plans with calls and texts included with data. Airalo’s customer support is a little slow, but Airalo’s free trial, broad coverage and ease of use balance this out. 

www.airalo.com

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The 10 Best eSIMs for Europe

Each eSIM provider has something unique to offer, whether that be flexible plans, unlimited data, call-and-text plans or standout security features. Here’s a summary of the top 10 eSIMs for Europe and what they bring to the table. 

We are basing pricing, coverage and data allowance on the regional European plan. In addition, app and website pricing can sometimes differ, so we recommend checking both to see all your options. Support for 5G can vary by plan, location and network availability. 

Some eSIMs have unlimited plans, but they typically set a limit on the amount of high-speed data you can use per day. Once you’ve used up your allowance, you can still use data, but at a lower speed.

1. Airalo — Best Overall Europe eSIM 

www.airalo.com

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Pros:

• Data, call & text plans
• Some countries have unlimited plans 
• Free welcome eSIM (Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, U.K. only) 

Cons:

• No day plans
• Slow customer support

Airalo is an international data plan provider headquartered in Delaware, U.S. Though most Airalo plans (including the Eurolink plans) are data-only, a few of its plans have calling and texting capability, providing users with a phone number. If you want a call-and-text plan, the Global Discover+ plan is your best bet. It covers 137 countries, including several in Europe. 

If you see a “data/calls/texts” tab when you tap into a country or region in the Airalo store, you’ll know the plan offers that feature. Some plans come with unlimited data, throttled to 1 Mbps after the high-speed data limit of 3GB per day has been reached. 

Airalo Hands-On Testing

Our experience with Airalo was good overall, though getting a response from customer support took a little longer than we would’ve liked. On a positive note, the installation instructions are clear and detailed, and the app itself is simple to navigate. 

Airalo Pricing & Value

Airalo’s pricing is pretty standard for the industry. Its Europe pricing is similar to Saily’s, but Airalo covers more countries. 

One standout feature is Airalo’s free welcome eSIM, which gives you 100MB to 1GB of data with a validity of one to seven days (varies by plan) in select locations. In Europe, these locations are Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the U.K. Some countries also offer unlimited packages, including Spain, Turkey and Germany. 

2. Saily — Best Data-Only eSIM for International Travel 

saily.com

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Pros:

• Easy to use 
• Affordable pricing
• Comes with security features 

Cons:

• No call-and-text plans 
• No unlimited data plans 

Saily is an eSIM recently released by Nord Security — which also owns our top VPN recommendation, NordVPN (read our NordVPN review). Saily sells reasonably priced data-only plans for more than 190 destinations, including regional and global plans, and it stands out for its three extra security and privacy features: virtual location, web protection and an ad blocker. 

Saily offers individual plans for European countries, but you can also opt for a regional European plan, which covers 36 countries. We chose Saily as one of the best eSIMs for Europe based on its combination of affordability, ease of use, security features and excellent customer support. However, if you need phone calls or unlimited data, look elsewhere. 

Saily Hands-On Testing

We had a smooth experience navigating Saily, from installing the eSIM to communicating with customer support. We were particularly impressed with the live chat feature, which quickly connected us to a human. The support agent was efficient, clear and friendly. 

Saily Pricing & Value

Saily is one of the most affordable eSIM providers. Considering the security features that come with the Saily data plan, we think it’s a pretty good deal. To give you an idea of how much Saily will cost you, the table below details the pricing for a few of the most popular destinations in Europe and the Europe regional plan. 

3. Nomad — Best Europe eSIM for Flexible Pricing

www.getnomad.app

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Pros:

• Flexible pricing & plan types
• Unlimited data via day plans 
• Free trial eSIM (choice of 48 destinations)

Cons:

• Mixed customer support experience 
• Limited call-and-text plans (one location only)

Nomad is headquartered in the U.S. It provides data-only plans, though one Thailand plan comes with phone calls. You can also pick from standard plans or customizable day plans. The day plans give you a certain amount of high-speed data each day. Once you’ve used it all up, you’ll still get unlimited data but at a throttled speed (512 Kbps). 

Many jetsetters are sure to appreciate Nomad’s flexibility. If you’re heading to Europe, you can opt for a day plan, a big regional plan covering 35 or 36 countries (see the “Pricing & Value” section), or a plan covering just France, Germany and Italy. Alternatively, you can opt for a plan in a single country. 

Nomad Hands-On Testing

Getting set up with Nomad and using the app was a straightforward experience. On the other hand, while the customer support team was friendly and helpful, it took some time to clarify certain issues. Sometimes the information was clear, but at other times it was somewhat confusing. 

Nomad Pricing & Value

Nomad is priced similarly to our top two picks. It’s more expensive than competitors in some locations but cheaper in others, so there’s a balance. The good news: new subscribers can get a free Nomad welcome eSIM and pick from one of 48 destinations, including Europe. Here’s how Nomad stacks up pricewise once your free trial eSIM has expired: 

4. Holafly — Best eSIM for Europe with Unlimited Data 

esim.holafly.com

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Pros:

• Unlimited data 
• Customizable plans 
• Efficient support via messaging 

Cons:

• No calls or texts 
• 5-day plan minimum purchase in the app 

Holafly is a unique data-only eSIM service in that most of its plans — including the Europe plan — offer unlimited data. To this end, you can expect to pay a little more, but for some, being set on data for the entire validity period is worth the extra cost. 

You can buy a plan on the Holafly website or via the app. However, one quirk we noticed is that the five-day plan is the minimum length you can purchase in the Holafly app. Conversely, the Europe plan on the website is customizable, allowing customers to select a minimum of one day. 

Holafly Hands-On Testing

We like how well organized the Holafly app is and were impressed by the customer support team’s quick and clear responses. We had a 4G connection when using Holafly. There was a little video buffering and loading speeds were slow at first, but it picked up after a bit. The time of day and the network availability may have affected the connection. 

Holafly Pricing & Value

Holafly isn’t the cheapest of providers, but this is because you get unlimited data. Here’s what Holafly pricing looks like in Europe. We included Europe only, as the countries we cover in the other tables in this guide (the U.K., Italy, Spain, France and Turkey) have the same pricing as the regional European plan. 

5. Jetpac — Budget-Friendly Europe eSIM

Jetpac is a data-only provider with a Europe package covering 30 countries. While this is relatively few compared to providers like Airalo, we think Jetpac is a good budget-friendly option, especially for those just dipping their toes into the eSIM world. The “Pricing & Value” section has more details.

Jetpac Hands-On Testing

Jetpac’s installation process and guidance were easy to follow. We had a good experience speedwise as well, with no trouble streaming on YouTube or browsing the web with a 5G data connection. The service has received many stellar reviews on Trustpilot, which we find reassuring. 

Jetpac Pricing & Value

New Jetpac users get 1GB (four-day validity) for just $1. Jetpac’s standard starting price for the countries we’ve included in the other tables (the U.K., Spain, Italy, France and Turkey) is the same as for the regional Europe pack. Jetpac also offers affordable 3GB plans; for example, the 3GB Europe plan is just $5 — cheaper than the average.

6. Roamless — Reliable Europe eSIM According to Reddit

Roamless’ pay-as-you-go model is designed so you can add funds to your account and use the eSIM plan wherever you like, as long as Roamless covers the destination. There’s no expiry date on the funds, which adds an extra layer of reassurance. Simply top up your funds whenever you need more data. 

This model distinguishes Roamless from competitors, as you typically have to purchase a set plan. Roamless also lets you make calls from within the app using your balance. This provider stood out to us for another reason, too: it has mostly stellar write-ups on Reddit, with many users praising its reliability and flexible pricing model. 

Roamless Hands-On Testing

We had a seamless experience with Roamless and like the flexibility of its pay-as-you-go model. Roamless could improve its customer support options, though; there’s no live chat feature in the app. Instead, you submit a query and await a response by email. We received a response quickly, but we prefer live chat and being able to easily speak with an agent. 

Roamless Pricing & Value

You get $1.25 of free data when you sign up with Roamless. When adding funds $5 is the minimum, but you can customize it to any amount above this. There’s a $0.35 service fee for any payment of less than $20. 

As we’ve mentioned, Roamless is pay-as-you-go, but the ultimate costs vary from place to place. For example, in most European countries, 1GB comes out to $2.45, but in some countries, like Albania, 1GB costs $4.95; 1 GB costs $8.45 in Belarus.  

7. aloSIM — User-friendly Europe eSIM With a Phone Number 

aloSIM is ideal for those who want a data plan in Europe with calling and texting capability. The regional European plans offer a phone number via Hushed. You get some free credits for the phone number but have to add more once you run out. aloSIM covers more than 200 countries and offers plans for various regions. It doesn’t have a global plan, though.

Certain plans, including those for some countries in Europe (the U.K., Spain and more), have the option of unlimited data, though you get only a certain amount of high-speed data per day. 

aloSIM Hands-On Testing

The aloSIM app is refreshingly simple: it’s very barebones and uncluttered, which non-tech-savvy folks are sure to appreciate. We had a 5G connection right away and experienced no video buffering or lags whatsoever. 

On the downside, we found the customer support chat feature to be a little slow. We asked to speak to an agent and were emailed a while later with a response to our question. Personally, we prefer to get responses in the chat itself. 

aloSIM Pricing & Value

aloSIM offers a range of regional plans in Europe: Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and Scandinavia. The Europe plan covers 35 countries, while the others cover two to 11 countries. The aloSIM pricing for Europe is in line with most competitors, as you can see in the table below. 

8. Yesim — Flexible Europe eSIM for Study Abroad 

Yesim is an EU-based eSIM provider offering standard plans with a set amount of data and unlimited global, regional and country plans. Alternatively, you can opt for a pay-as-you-go international plan — just add funds to your account and pay only for the data you use. You can also buy a virtual phone number from the U.S., the Netherlands, Israel or Canada. 

This abundance of options and the international pay-as-you-go model may make Yesim worth considering for those studying abroad. However, we think it’s a shame Android users can’t benefit from the free VPN. 

Yesim Hands-On Testing

Yesim was very easy to install, and the app is well organized. It took a few moments to get a good connection after installation, but once we had 5G, it was a smooth experience.

Yesim Pricing & Value

Yesim has a pay-as-you-go model for its international plans, but you can also opt for standard and unlimited plans in various regions and countries. 

These Yesim prices are from the website — the app shows different pricing in some locations. In addition, unlike most other providers, Yesim doesn’t offer 1GB standard plans in these locations, so we’ve mentioned the minimum GB offering for each plan.

9. GigSky — Europe eSIM With Diverse Plan Types 

GigSky is a data-only eSIM carrier covering 44 countries on its regional Europe plan. The provider is unique in that it also offers packages tailored for cruises, flights and offshore trips to the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. 

If you go for an in-flight package, check GigSky’s airline list to make sure yours is compatible. Compatible airlines include Emirates and Lufthansa. 

GigSky Hands-On Testing

We had no issues installing and using GigSky in a French city. However, some customers on Trustpilot have expressed dissatisfaction with how it worked, especially on cruises. One customer described it as “unreliable” and others said it didn’t work at all. 

GigSky Pricing & Value

GigSky gets points for its free 100MB eSIM (available in several locations and valid for seven days), though this won’t last long. Its pricing in Europe is not unlike that of other providers on this list. The regional European plan is a little pricier, but the coverage is good. It’s also quite expensive if you’re going on a cruise in Europe. 

10. Orange eSIM Europe — Europe eSIM With Calls & SMS Packages

The Orange Travel eSIM serves more than 100 locations. Its regional plan covers more than 30 destinations in Europe, which isn’t bad, but is relatively few compared to some competitors. Validity periods range from seven to 30 days — shorter than what many competitors offer. 

The all-inclusive Europe plans come with unlimited calls within Europe and a set number of call minutes to the rest of the world, ranging from 30 to 120 minutes. You can also pick from two data-only Europe plans.

Orange Hands-On Testing

We didn’t have a 5G connection when testing the Orange Travel eSIM because it wasn’t available on the plan we purchased. However, we did have a solid 4G experience free of slow speeds and video buffering, so we have no complaints. 

We contacted Orange’s customer support twice with some questions. Its initial chatbot couldn’t understand our simple questions and connected us with an agent. On both occasions, the agent answered our questions quickly, which we appreciated. 

Orange Pricing & Value

Like competitors, Orange prices its travel eSIM plans based on whether it includes calls and texts or is data-only, and the specific locations. Note that not all plans include 5G support, so check the offer details carefully if this is a dealbreaker for you. 

Note: Several of the plans costing around $5 are available only in the app, not on the website. We recommend checking both to see all available plans. Keep in mind that the prices listed below are subject to change based on current exchange rates.

How to Activate an eSIM Data Plan for Europe

eSIM plans typically activate when you touch down in your destination. However, after you’ve finished the initial installation procedure, you need to make sure your phone settings are correctly configured so the eSIM can activate and access data when you arrive. Here’s what you need to do. 

We went through these steps on an iPhone. The layout and wording on Android may vary.

1. Install the eSIM

   Check your provider’s instructions for installing the eSIM on your eSIM-compatible phone. Most providers guide you through this part, and it’s typically very easy.

   

2. Set the eSIM as Your Cellular Data Provider

   In the “cellular” (iOS) settings, check under “SIMs” that your eSIM of choice is turned on and that it’s set as the provider next to “cellular data.”

   If you’re on an Android, go to “network and internet”/”connections” (wording may vary) and locate the SIM manager to check this. If you have an eSIM with calls and texts, set it as your voice line, too. 

   

3. Enable Data Roaming

   In your eSIM’s settings, check that “data roaming” is on. On iOS, tap on the eSIM in the SIM list to get to this page. On Android, go to “connections”/”network and internet” to find your eSIM’s settings page

   

Methodology: How We Tested the Top eSIMs for Europe

We tested all the eSIM providers on this list. To decide whether they were worth including, we considered the following factors. 

• Ease of use: We kept an eye out for detailed but clear installation instructions, how straightforward it was to use the provider’s app, and what the process of purchasing and installing a plan was like.
• Coverage: We looked for providers with broad coverage in Europe. All the providers we selected cover at least 30 European destinations. 
• Speed: We made sure we could browse the internet, send WhatsApp messages and watch YouTube videos smoothly while using the plans we’d purchased.
• Customer support: We tested the responsiveness of each providers’ customer support features. Though some were certainly more efficient and to-the-point than others, we still received a response each time. 
• User reviews: We know that while testing a service, our experience might not be the same as everyone else’s. We checked out what people on sites like Reddit and Trustpilot had to say about each service, which helped us decide which ones have potential and which ones to rule out. 

Why You Need an eSIM for Traveling to Europe

You don’t absolutely need an eSIM for travel — some travelers are happy to continue making use of the physical SIM card slot. However, eSIMs can certainly add a touch of flexibility and convenience. Our eSIM vs Physical SIM guide goes into more detail, but here are some of the benefits of travel eSIMs:

• Convenience: As long as you have a good internet connection, you can get set up with a prepaid eSIM plan via the provider’s app. This eliminates the need to purchase a physical SIM card. 
• Difficult to lose: Because physical SIMs are so small, they’re easily lost, misplaced or damaged. This isn’t a problem with eSIMs — as long as you don’t lose your phone. 
• Broad coverage: Travel eSIM carriers are ideal for folks who want coverage for multiple locations at once. Most eSIM providers offer this via regional packages. 

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s to keep in touch with loved ones, navigate Google Maps or use your other apps while traveling, we hope our Europe eSIM card guide has come in handy. Our top suggestion for European eSIMs is Airalo; you can try Airalo with its free intro eSIM with up to 1GB of data. As a final note, be sure to check that your device supports eSIM technology before you purchase a plan. 

Where in Europe are you jetting off to? Have you used an eSIM for travel before? Drop us a comment to let us know about your experience. Thanks for reading. 

FAQ: eSIM Apps for Europe

• What Is the Best eSIM to Use in Europe?

  Airalo is our top pick for the best Europe eSIM, followed by Saily and Nomad.

• Is It Worth Getting an eSIM for Europe?

  It’s worth getting an eSIM for Europe, especially if roaming charges are often an issue for you or if you’re tired of switching out physical SIMs when you travel.

• Which Is the Best eSIM for International Travel?

  Airalo and Saily are the best eSIMs for international travel. That said, there are many great eSIM carriers, most of which are on the list above.

• What Are the Disadvantages of eSIM?

  The main disadvantage of eSIM usage is that devices that weren’t manufactured recently might not support it. For example, if you have an iPhone model that came before the iPhone SE (2 or 3), XR, XS or 11, you’re probably out of luck. Not all Androids support eSIM technology, either.