How to Pick the Best eSIM for Europe Travel

In this post, you'll see how easy it is to buy and activate your Europe sSIM. No more swapping out SIM cards, finding a place to reload your SIM card or navigating a voice prompt system in a different language.

A European eSIM is simple and easy to use. By the end of this post you'll understand what an eSIM is and pick the best one for you. Now you will have one less thing to worry about for your trip. 

Best eSIM for International Travel?

This post is specifically about European eSIMs. When it comes to other regions of the world there are a ton of options. I recommend you go here for the best eSIM for international travel. Here you will find your global eSIM or an eSIM for a specific region or country. 

Psst....help others save money on their eSIM with one click!

What is an eSIM?

I bet you thought it was an electronic SIM, right? So did I. It makes sense after all. You don't physically get the eSIM. You order it, fire it up and off you go!

The "e" stands for "embedded". SIM is an acronym for "subscriber identity module". It's a piece of hardware (embedded) in your phone or device.

This means you could run two numbers on your mobile phone. Your regular SIM card (in Mini, micro or nano sizes) and an eSIM. Phone calls on one, data on the other.

Quick Comparison of Best eSIM Providers for Europe

Here is a quick comparison of the best international eSIM plans. If you hover over (or touch on mobile)  the ⓘ you'll find more details on that section.

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What's the Difference Between an eSIM and a SIM card?

One of the biggest differences between an eSIM and a SIM card is that an eSIM can be used on many different carriers. A physical SIM card can only be used for that one carrier that you bought it for. 

With a physical SIM card, you need to find the little pokey thing that you probably threw out with your box after you used it the first time you put your SIM card in.

Then you need to swap it out with the new travel SIM you want to use. Now, what do you do with the old SIM card? It's so small! It is something that will easily get lost in my world. That is why you need one of these. 

An eSIM is built into the phone. Nothing to swap. Advantage eSIM.

Tips for Picking the Best eSIM for Europe Travel  [Before You Buy]

Before you buy an eSIM for travel, there are a couple of questions you need to ask first. Always read the details before buying an eSIM. They all are a little different in what they offer. Know what you need and what you are getting.

Is my phone unlocked?

When you plan on travelling to Europe and using your cell phone with a SIM card from another mobile company, your phone has to be unlocked.

Every country has different rules about unlocked phones. In Canada, as an example, carriers aren't any longer allowed to sell locked phones (article here).

How to check if my phone is unlocked?

One of the easiest ways to check if your phone is unlocked is to try a different SIM card from a different carrier. Ask someone you know that is on a different carrier if you can quickly borrow their SIM card.

1. Power your phone off.
2. Open the SIM slot with a removal pin.
3. Switch your SIM card with the one from the other carrier.
4. Turn on the phone.
5. You should be able to see the carrier name on the top of your home screen.
6. Try making a call.

Did the phone call work? If yes, then your phone is unlocked.

If not, then your phone is locked. You might also get a message on the screen saying that the phone is locked.

Depending on your carrier you may have to get your phone unlocked. They may charge you a fee for that. Once your phone is unlocked you can get access to other mobile internet carriers either through a SIM or eSIM.

How Do I Know If My Device or Phone Supports eSIM?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to eSIMs. More and more phones and devices are becoming eSIM compatible. Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch was one of the first to have an eSIM starting in 2016. Apple Watch started having it in 2017. 

Now Apple is adding it to their latest iPhones, and Google has had it in the Pixel smartphones since 2017.

Most newer phones will start including eSIM capabilities right out of the box. Check the list to see if your devices have it.

*Check the asterisk too! Some models from certain countries do not have eSIM capability.

See the eSIM capable devices for 2023

If your phone does not have eSIM compatibility then you may want to look at getting into a physical SIM card. 

Does the eSIM have coverage in the countries I am travelling to?

Each eSIM covers a different list of European countries. You have to check each eSIM and see what countries they do cover. I've listed countries for each eSIM in the full reviews and details of the eSIMs. 

Don't assume an eSIM covers everything in Europe. For example, some eSIMs are missing the popular destination of Switzerland. Always check the list of countries that the eSIM covers. 

How Long is My Trip? - Credit Validity

How long you are travelling will determine which is the best SIM to use in Europe. Every eSIM will have a credit validity.

This is how long the eSIM data or talk and text is valid. The average travel eSIM has a credit validity of either 14 days or 30 days. Some are as low as 7 days, and some as high as 180 days.

The eSIM starts when you connect to the cell tower of the country (or countries) the eSIM has coverage for.

Physical eSIMs are different. They often start from the moment you insert them into your phone.

If you are travelling in that in-between area, for example, for 20 days, you have to either get an eSIM data plan that has a credit validity that is over that amount, or an eSIM that has a top-up option. 

Do I need an eSIM Top Up Option?

Some travel eSIMs have an option to top up. This means you can add more data and/or text and calls (if you get a Europe eSIM with a phone number) if you use it up before your credit validity runs out.

If your credit validity runs out you may be top-up your eSIM with some more days and data. Each EU SIM card is different.

Always read to see if the eSIM provider allows top-ups, and if it does, there may be restrictions. 

For example, some Europe eSIMs travel plans only allow top-ups with European-based credit cards, so be careful. 

How Much Data Do I Need?

That's a difficult question. Your data usage will be different than at home. The amount of mobile data you use at home will be lower because at home or work you often use wifi which lowers your mobile internet use.

When you are travelling, you are using more mobile data during the day.

There are ways to minimize your data usage when you travel. Here are some things you can do.

• Don't stream videos. Save it for wifi. 
• Avoid playing video games.
• Only allow apps to update in wifi.
• Use a messaging app like WhatsApp. It is very data friendly, even when sending pictures. 
• Avoid constantly checking your social media feed.

I know this is a tough one. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook automatically load videos and pictures, which eats a lot of data. Find a cafe or place with free wifi and then open up your social (make sure to use a VPN like this one to protect yourself!).

• Set a data usage alarm on your phone. 

This will help you give you a warning when you reach a certain amount of mobile data use. If you get a 5GB eSIM data plan, then set it for 2.5 GB. If you are halfway through your trip, then you know you should be fine. If it's day two....time to start being more careful with your data usage.

With mindful usage, you should be able to get by with 5-8GB over 30 days.

If you don't feel like you can or want to watch your data usage, then get a bigger eSIM data plan. The average person would probably be fine with 10GB over 14-30 days and never have to worry too much. 

Do I need a European eSIM with a phone number (talk and text)?

Well, it depends. I know, that answer doesn't help. It comes down to which eSIM company you go with. Some have it, some don't.

On some phones, you can run dual SIMs. This means you can assign your physical SIM to place calls and texts (keep in mind long-distance charges and SMS fees) and your eSIM to do all the mobile Data. You'll have to check the support section of the phone you have to see how to do this.

If you are on Wifi, some phones can text and call over wifi. So save your phone calls until then.

You need to decide if you will need to make calls while travelling around Europe. I didn't need it. I used alternative methods to talk and text.

Here are two common apps that can help fill the gap.

WhatsApp

If I want to communicate with people back home, I use WhatsApp. You can text, make calls (to people in your contact list), or video calls with it.

It also is very data-friendly, even when sending pictures. I found that was a better way to send updates and pictures of my trip to friends and family. If I wanted to add pictures to social media, I just waited until I was on wifi.

WhatsApp - Google Play - Apple 

Skype

With Skype, you can buy credit and make phone calls to any number. Within Europe, calls to a landline are on average 2.3¢/minutes, and calls to a mobile number are on average 10¢/minute.

Get yourself $5 credit on Skype and that can get you enough phone calls (and even texts) to contact the vacation home owner you are renting from or call a restaurant to make a reservation. That's what I did, and it worked great.

This way you know if you've used up your credit and can load more. You won't come how to a surprise bill of long-distance charges.

Skype - Google Play - Apple

I'll let you know which eSIMS do and which don't allow you to make calls or texts in the details of each eSIMs.

Do I Need Tethering or a Personal Hotspot?

Tethering or personal hotspot means you can use your device to connect other devices to data. You may want to tether an iPad, laptop or even another phone. Both devices use the same data allotment via a personal hotspot.

Not all eSIMs or mobile phones allow this, so decide if this is important to you. If it is, then get an eSIM that allows tethering.

If you do need this, consider getting more data, as other devices can really bite into your allotment of data.

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eSIM Capable Devices for 2023

This will always be growing as more and more new devices are coming out with eSIM capability.

The best way to find out for sure is to check with your device manufacturer if your model if it is eSIM compatible. You can even do a Google Search with you make and model followed by eSIM compatible and you'll get your answer pretty quick.  

For example: "Google Pixel 6 eSIM compatible" or "Apple iPhone 12 Mini eSIM compatible"

Smartphones & iPads

Here is a list of the most popular smartphones and iPads that have eSIM capability (at the time of this post). Most new phones will be coming out with eSIM technology included moving forward.

Click on the phone type you have to see if your model is eSIM capable. 

Always check with your phone manufacturer if your model is eSIM capable before you buy an eSIM.

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Windows 10*/11Devices

Here is a list of some of the devices that may have eSIM capability. Always check before you buy an eSIM.

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