Best eSIM for Europe.
Be online the moment you land — no roaming charges, no hunting for a SIM kiosk at the airport. We share which service we use ourselves, why it beats the competition, and how to get everything set up in five minutes.
Be online the moment you land — no roaming charges, no hunting for a SIM kiosk at the airport. We share which service we use ourselves, why it beats the competition, and how to get everything set up in five minutes.
For most travellers, the best eSIM for Europe is Airalo: the widest coverage (200+ regions), instant QR-code activation before you even fly, and the lowest entry-price plans for short, multi-country trips.
Get an Airalo eSIM →An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone, activated by scanning a QR code — no plastic card, no shops, nothing to swap. You buy a plan for your chosen destination, scan once, and your phone is on the network the moment you land. For a European trip crossing multiple borders, the convenience is hard to beat.
We keep coming back to Airalo because it covers more countries than anyone else. The Eurolink regional plan works across 39 European countries on a single eSIM, and the entry-price plans are the cheapest way to get a few gigabytes for a week or two. Everything — including top-ups — is handled right inside the app.
| Provider | Coverage | Data type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo Our pick | 200+ regions | Fixed GB allowance, affordable | Multi-country trips |
| Holafly | 160+ regions | Unlimited only, pricier | When only unlimited will do |
| Saily | 150+ regions | Fixed GB allowance | Short, straightforward trips |
| Local SIM from a kiosk | One country | Bought on arrival | Long stays in a single country |
On a typical holiday, Airalo plans are cheaper than any unlimited option — and a few gigabytes go further than most people expect.
Choose a country plan or the Eurolink regional plan in the Airalo app — ideally at home, on your own Wi-Fi.
Tap "Install" and the eSIM is added to your phone. All modern iPhones and Android smartphones support it; older or carrier-locked devices may not be compatible.
Switch mobile data to the Airalo line and leave your home SIM for calls. The network appears the moment you step off the plane.
For most travellers, yes. It has the widest coverage, the lowest prices for short trips, and the Eurolink regional eSIM that works across 39 European countries.
Most smartphones from the past few years do: iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and current Samsung Galaxy S and Note models. Your phone also needs to be unlocked by your carrier. Check in Settings — if you see "Add eSIM" or "Add a data plan", you're good to go.
Yes. The eSIM runs alongside your physical SIM — keep your home number active for calls and messages, and switch mobile data to the eSIM line. WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps are tied to the number on your physical SIM, so all chats and notifications work normally.
For maps, messaging and light browsing, 3–5 GB per week is plenty. If you stream music, watch video or tether other devices, go for a 10 GB plan. Most providers let you top up without reinstalling the eSIM.
Airalo is the better choice for most trips. Holafly only sells unlimited plans that cost 2–3 times more — that makes sense only if you're working on the road or streaming video all day. For a typical tourist, 5–10 GB from Airalo is cheaper and more than enough.
You need Wi-Fi or mobile data to install it — so the best time is at home before you fly. Scan the QR code or install automatically: the whole process takes about two minutes. Once installed, the eSIM works without an internet connection.
An eSIM is better value when you're visiting several countries or staying fewer than two or three weeks. A local SIM is only cheaper for a long stay in one country — say, a month in Spain. Factor in the time spent finding a kiosk and the passport requirement: registration is mandatory in many European countries.
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