I’ve been using eSIMS while traveling since 2021, and more recently I’ve started using them on my trips to Europe.
Most recently, I've used my Roamless eSIM on a two week European road trip, where I crossed multiple countries, and I have to say, it performed very well.
You can check out my full review here.
Since Brexit, data restrictions have affected my current network of O2, which means I’m now capped on my current plan when traveling around Europe (where I used to get unlimited data included!).
Now if I only plan to use my phone for a few days then this is fine, however if it’s a longer trip (or if using my phone as a hotspot for a laptop) then this can cause some issues.
This is why I now use eSims for my travels to Europe, as well as internationally.
If you’re from the USA or any other foreign country, then an eSIM will be the most convenient way for you to access the internet within Europe.
You won’t need to go through the trouble of searching for a physical sim to put in your phone, or have to pay for expensive roaming charges.
In this guide I’m going to take you through:
Let’s get started…
Whilst most of us are used to traditional SIM cards that you insert into a phone or other devices, eSIMs are still lesser-known in comparison.
They’re essentially a digital version of a regular SIM, where everything is stored inside your phone (and online).
The main advantage here is that you no longer need to go hunting around a foreign city for a SIM card, where instead you can easily activate international mobile networks on your phone in just a few clicks.
You also won’t need to do any fidgety things with your phone, given it’s all sorted internally with no external devices or extra assistance needed.
Given these benefits, they’re certainly becoming more popular nowadays (especially in the Western World), and we personally think they are a must for when traveling around Europe.
Sim Local is your go-to eSIM for hassle-free connectivity wherever your European adventures take you!
They specialize in providing convenient eSIM solutions, meaning no more bulky physical SIM cards or complicated roaming plans.
With Sim Local, you can easily stay connected to high-speed data networks across Europe right from your device.
Whether you're exploring the cobblestone streets of Paris or savoring gelato in Rome, they've got you covered.
With a range of country specific Europe deals starting at £3 for 1GB of data in France, Spain and Portugal (to name just a few), to Europe region specific eSIMs starting at just £17.50 for 12GB AND it comes with a French mobile number so you can make calls...this is a fantastic deal!
The Europe plan comes in 12GB, a whopping 30GB, or 50GB (both the 30 and 50 actually include a set numeber of minutes and texts!)
The European plans also cover 36 countries:
Sim Local now offer unlimited data plans in Europe, for an excellent price. For example, for a week trip you can get unlimited data for $29, which is a very good deal.
You are constrined by a fair usage policy, but it's 10GB a day, which is pretty darn good. Trust me.
Other eSIMS I've used, notably, Maya, do restrict their data to 2GB a day on high speed. So I'd be pretty happy with 10GB.
I tested their Europe eSIM back on a European road trip towards Iceland, when we passed through a variety of countries on the week journey up there!
I had no issues with speed, connection or coverage, so I do recommend them!
Psst, want to know more about Sim Local? Check out the full review here.
GET 10% OFF WITH CODE DBTF10
BNESIM is an eSIM provider that truly has it all.
Not only can you get excellent value data only plans for over 200 countries, but they also offer international phone number plans starting at 2 Euro a month!
If you prefer having a physical hot spot device with you on your travels, then they even cover that too. This works particularly well if you're planning on doing some work on the road!
AND they even offer a VPN at a great price.
So you can truly get everything you need to be connected on your travels throughout Europe and ensure you're staying safe too!
In terms of being a fantastic eSIM for Europe, BNESIM offer an all-in-one Europe eSIM plan with a few unique perks.
Their one eSIM covers all of Europe, and you can opt to use it in two different ways. Either as a PAYG option, or a monthly subscription option which is perfect if you know you will be travelling around Europe for a few months.
For their Pay-As-You-Go option, you can get 1GB for as little as £3.17, all the way up to 20GB for less than £56. AND, the data NEVER expires, so if you've popped into Europe for a city break, but didn't use all your data, then no worries, you can use the rest of it on your next trip out there!
For their monthly subscriptions you can get 1GB for less than 80p (that's excellent value!!), all the way up to unlimited data & calls plans for less than £56 a month.
I think BNESIM offers a wide range of eSIM options for a fantastic price.
And if you're only going to one specific country in Europe, you can opt for a single country with the same PAYG and subscription options.
I'll be testing this eSIM in Romania in the next few weeks, so I will be sure to update this post with my thoughts on my return!
And if you're wondering, YES you can hot spot all the data from BNESIM and there are no restrictions...which you know I LOVE, being the digital nomad I am!
One of my recently discovered favorite eSIM companies is Firsty!
Want an awesome eSIM app that covers over 35 countries in Europe , and offers instant connectivity and free data?
Then you NEED to try Firsty!
Firsty is a unique eSIM provider that believes everyone should have access to global data.
Firsty automatically connects you to every mobile provider worldwide as soon as you land, so there's no need to switch eSIMs or buy expensive data bundles every time you enter a new location.
Firsty offers two plans: “Free” and “Fast.” The free plan provides a basic global data connection which works perfectly for ordering Ubers, and checking emails and using Google Maps.
If you want faster speeds, you only pay the local rate, which is up to 60 times less than typical international bundles.
Plus, you don’t even need a credit card! If you think the faster plan must be expensive, you'd be wrong.
It's just €2 per day.
How do they keep prices so low? They have access to every provider worldwide, making it easier to negotiate better rates.
Firsty is currently available in 70 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and more, with plans to expand even further.
Yesim offers a digital-only eSIM service providing data-only plans—both fixed and unlimited—for travel in Europe & UK.
You can go for a regional data plan which covers all the Euro countries you need (full list below), or you can even opt for a global eSIM plan which works in over 170 countries, including Europe!
But within Europe, you can opt for Ulmited data plans, if you're a heavy data user, or you can go for fixed amounts.
I personally like the ability to choose between these options.
Pricing, on either option, is very good (probably some of the best value I've seen!)
The longer you take out an eSIM on the unlimited plan, the cheaper the plan becomes (this is the case for most eSIMs).
I personally think the 15 day plan is a great deal, and perfect for a summer trip in Europe!
For the fixed plans, you've got excellent value too.
Recently I used tracked my usgage in 2 weeks in Europe (hot spotting, google maps, looking for campsites, places to eat), and I used 10 GB in two weeks.
And 16 Euro for 10GB, is a VERY good deal!
Plus you can get 15% off with the code Anyesim15, which makes the price even sweeter.
Offering coverage in over 80 countries worldwide (including many European countries listed below), Eskimo is a unique eSIM app that gives you global data at one flat local rate to roam worldwide.
This is a perfect solution for those who travel frequently, and often visit different parts of the world on both short and longer trips.
It also means you won’t have to worry about spending more in certain countries, given local SIM expenses can sometimes catch us off guard (or even worse when you find out how much your roaming costs were when you get back home!).
Eskimo are also unique in that they offer much longer-term eSIMs, with the longest period of up to 2 years! This is perfect for travelers on long trips, or those who work as digital nomads and don’t know when they will next be moving around.
Even if you’re only heading out for a few months, it will still be valid come the next year when you decide to travel again.
They also have an intuitive app too, which allows you to transfer data over to family and friends whenever you feel like it.
Finally on my list I have Roamless.
This is the company I've most recently used in Europe, and I really only have good things to say!
They have a Europe plan which offers 500MB free (perfect if you want to test before you buy!).
Then plans go from 1GB to 20GB, and when you factor in our 20% off with the code DBTF20, it works out a very reasonable price.
The thing I really LOVED about using this eSIM in Europe was that I could hotspot it to my second phone, and my laptop with ease and with no restrictions.
This is really important to me!
And there was never any speed limits.
And that goes for whether you opt for the 10GB (which I did), or the full way up to the 20GB!
But Roamless does actually work in two ways.
Their Europe eSIM would be what's known as a fixed eSIM, but they also have the option of flex.
Roamless Flex
Roamless Fix
With Roamless Flex you can also make in-app phone calls which is a pretty cool feature.
But don't worry, if you want to stick with the fixed plan, you can make phonecalls via Whatsap (isn't that what we all do anyway? lol)
But either way, their Europe eSIM covers 39 European Countries.
Basically, if you’ve got a new phone, then an eSIM will work (probably even with multiple eSIMS). But if your phone isn’t on the above list, or is older than the list, then the chances are it will not be compatible with an eSIM.
Whilst this was the only other option a few decades ago (aside from buying new local SIMs), nowadays it’s one of the least popular ways of connecting yourself abroad.
Firstly the costs tend to rack up quickly, and if you’re not careful you may find yourself with a massive bill once you get back home (they can cost anywhere up to $10-15 a day!).
As well as this, the connection quality isn’t that great either, where you’ll have less data available as well as a cap on how fast the internet is (you’re often downgraded to 2G/3G speeds - especially in the more remote regions). For example with 02, I am capped at 25GB where they can also throttle my speed if I use too much data.
And that’s all for our guide on the best eSIMS to use when traveling to and around Europe.
Nowadays using regular SIM cards can be a hassle, especially as you have to find a new one in every country you visit. Even more problematic is using data roaming when abroad, given costs can quickly add-up.
A much better solution is using an eSIM card, which is both more flexible and in some cases even cheaper than the other options listed above.
In this guide we’ve covered why using an eSIM is advantageous over the other traditional options, as well as 5 of the best eSIM companies you can use when in Europe.
Which do you think is the best European eSIM? Will you get it for your next trip?
Do you have a particular brand that we haven’t included?
Comment below and let us know your thoughts!
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