Europe is a huge part of the world map, with 44 countries in total and 27 countries forming the European Union. For a foreign traveler, staying connected in all parts of Europe may be complicated – you hardly want to buy a new SIM card for each region. Instead, eSIM cards with full Europe coverage are a perfect solution. Purchase the best eSIM for Europe online, select the plan and regions, and enjoy the Internet no matter where you are.

What Is eSIM: Features and Compatible Devices

The best eSIM card for Europe is a full analogy of a physical SIM card. But there are some differences. First, you don’t need a physical card to activate the plan. Purchase the eSIM card data plan online and activate at the moment you need it. eSIM is compatible with dozens of devices and works just like a traditional card.

Plus, such services allow you to cover several regions instead of one country. eSIM providers work with local operstors from all over the world. Purchase a single-country plan, or a global plan, or even choose one particular region – for example, Europe. Switch between operators and pay only for the Internet you actually use. You don’t pay for roaming as well since the card is supported by local providers.

Feature	Physical SIM card	eSIM
Short-term plans	–	available, as well as long-term and monthly plans
Accessibility	requires a physical device, can be purchased in offline shops	you can purchase the eSIM online and don’t need a physical card
The number of plans	only one plan in a moment	activate up to 12 eSIM cards on one device
Activation	you need to purchase the card, sign the contract, and activate it later	the plan activates the moment you land in the country
Coverage	single country	single country, single region, or world coverage
Devices	all devices	some smartphones do not accept eSIM

The only possible disadvantage is the limited number of devices. While most iPhones work with eSIM, certain Android smartphones do not accept this technology. Before ordering the service, check if your device is compatible.

The Best eSIM Plans for Travelers in Europe: 2024 Top

Let’s imagine you’ve landed in a European country and your vacation starts. But how do you find a hotel? And what if you need to call a friend waiting for you? Yesim eSIM for Europe will be activated the moment you arrive. No more worries about connection. And before you start the trip, choose the best provider.

Yesim

Yesim is an excellent eSIM provider, offering a special European plan. In 2024, it covers 31 countries. If you want it to be more certain, choose plans specifically for Scandinavian countries or the Balkans.

Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Check Republic, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Portugal, the UK, and 18 more;
Duration: 1 day, 7 days, 15 days, 30, 60, 90 days for unlimited Internet; 30 days for limited options;
Data volume: from 3 GB to unlimited options;
Price: from $7.70 to $192.50 depending on duration and GB.

You can also create a Hotspot and share your Internet with other people, which is good for families or traveling groups. The speed includes 5G, 4G, 3G, and even LTE depending on your location. Note, that this plan comes without a phone number, and you cannot send SMS either.

Saily

Saily is a part of the NordVPN project and offers eSIM services in 150 counties. The company doesn’t offer a whole pack for travelling within Europe, though. You can only purchase Internet for separate regions.

Countries: 150 countries (45 in Europe, 34 in North and South America, 30 in Asia, and 42 in the Middle East and North Africa);
Duration: from 7 days to 30 days, but you can top up the card later;
Data volume: 1 GB for 7 days or 3/5/7/10/20 GBs for 30 days;
Price: from $2.49 to $12, but prices can change depending on the country.

Saily works with local providers and offers 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE Internet connections. Note that you don’t receive a phone number. As for special features, Saily offers you to top up the account later, so you can always buy some more Internet. However, there is no unlimited Internet option.

Airalo

Airalo is a cost-effective variant, suitable for people who want to save money for entertainment. Internet connection is a little slower, but you pay less as well. The service has a special offer if you need a virtual SIM card for Europe.

Countries: the plan covers 39 European countries;
Duration: 30 days only;
Data volume: 10 GB;
Price: from $37.

Sure, this is not the only option. You can buy separate plans for each region and choose the number of GBs, duration, and coverage. But this “Eurolink” plan is an excellent idea to buy everything at once. Plus, $37 for 10 GB is quite a low price.

Nomad

Nomad is an affordable eSIM for basic communication in Europe. If you need a budget-friendly option for internet and calls, this is the best eSIM for cost-effective travel.

Countries: 35 or 36 countries (the price will be a little different): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Malta, Monaco, Slovakia, Norway, France, Italy, etc.
Duration: 7 days or 30 days;
Data volume: You can purchase only 1 GB for 7 days; other plans are developed for the 30-day duration – 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB;
Price: $5 for 1 GB; other plans come from $12 to $36.

The 5G and 4G coverage is available in all counties.

Holafly

Unlike previous operators, Holafly offers a lot of options, including phone numbers. Apart from the Internet, you can buy a virtual number and make calls in Europe.

Countries: 30 countries, including Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, France, the UK, and many more;
Duration: from 1 day to 90 days, you can choose the duration individually;
Data volume: unlimited Internet, no matter which plan you choose;
Price: one day of unlimited connection costs 6 EUR; if you choose more days, each day is cheaper (for example, 3 days cost 15 EUR, and 6 days – 23 EUR.

You can activate the plan via QR-code. The coverage has 5G, 4G, 3G, or LTE speeds depending on your location.

Orange Travel

Orange offers special packs for European travelers. Called “Holiday Europe”, the plan comes in 4 variants:

Countries: 30 European countries;
Duration: from 7 days to 28 days;
Data volume: 1 GB for 7 days, 12 GB or 30 GB for 14 days, 100 GB for 28 days;
Price: from 4.99 EUR to 49.00 EUR.

With the coverage of 4G and 5G, you’ll be easily connected in any part of Europe. Although you don’t get a virtual number, you can send SMS as well.

Real Reviews: What People Say about European Providers

Comparing the providers, one can see that each has pros and cons. What people usually praise is a good connection. Meanwhile, poor Internet on the road is a problem for many users. iPhone users claim that some Saily plans are not compatible with certain Apple services. For a clear picture, always compare what other people say and remember that the provider must suit your interests and first place.

Best Practices: Do You Really Need eSIM?

Not only tourists benefit from eSIM providers for Europe offers. Think of it from another angle – any person in the world can visit a European country and enjoy a web connection without even paying for roaming:

Businessmen. Visit a business meeting or a conference? Purchasing the traditional SIM for a two-day trip would be foolish. And what if you visit several European countries at once? Order an eSIM, and your business chats will be available in any part of the EU.
Digital nomads. Millennials set a world standard for digital nomadism. Freedom, remote work, constant traveling – what can be better? A decent Internet connection, perhaps. Make sure you’re connected everywhere and travel without limits.
Active tourists. European guides offer plenty of tours over European countries. By using local providers, you don’t pay for roaming in these countries. Instead, choose the short-term plan by Yesim and use the local Internet while traveling.

All this is possible with new technologies. eSIM companies use coverage by the local mobile providers. This way, you use foreign Internet just as a local. Plus, choose from versatile plans – for example, you can purchase a 1-week subscription for a business trip.

How Do You Select the Best Plan

The final choice is up to the customers. Depending on your needs, providers offer various solutions. See what factors to consider when choosing the best eSIM card for Europe travel.

Consider the Region Coverage

For travelers across Europe, full-Europe packages are the best option. Such plans cover up to 30 counties, located on the continent. However, you can purchase separate plans for each country if you visit 1 or 2 of them. Apart from single-country choice, Yesim offers several multi plans:

Europe (29 countries);
Asia Pacific (15 countries);
Central Asia (6 countries);
South America (11 countries);
Caribbean;
Balkans (12 countries);
South East Asia (8 countries);
North America (3 countries);
Middle East (8 countries);
Africa (15 countries).

Global plans are also available to travel across the world, but they usually cost a little more.

Data and Call Requirements

Do you need a virtual phone number or just the Internet? Some plans allow you to send SMS messages, while others only contain the Internet. Decide in advance – you won’t be able to change this aspect.

Plan Duration

eSIM is not a physical card – you cannot replace it with another device and continue the usage. Thus, don’t buy long-term plans if you’re planning a short trip. Providers offer various plans to suit everybody’s preferences. You can also purchase the standard 30-day plan.

Price

Expensive options are not always the best. Make sure the plan complies with your interests and requirements. Unlimited plans are for people who use a lot of the Internet. If you conduct online meetings or download a lot of media files, this is a go-to option for you. In other cases, consider the amount of GB you really need. Usually, the pack starts from 3 GB.

Activate eSIM and Enjoy the Advantages: Tips for Better Experience

The installation process may differ from one provider to another. But first of all, make sure your device is compatible, and you can use eSIM. After that, install your provider’s application. Nothing complicated after that:

Go to the app.
Find the “Install eSIM” button and click it.
Wait for the installation.
Navigate to your phone settings and open the mobile data section.
Here, find the network choice.
Switch to your eSIM provider once you land in the country or in advance.

After that, your local network will be unavailable. Instead, you’ll start using the purchased eSIM Internet. If you buy a phone number, you’ll start using it as well. And if you’re thinking of purchasing a European eSIM, consider some additional tips.

Choose a provider with good coverage. First of all, check if 5G or 4G are available. Sometimes, even a large coverage may be too slow. See what people actually think about these eSIM operators by checking reviews.
Activate an eSIM before your departure. This way, you’ll connect to the Internet once you arrive. Sometimes, the activation takes time, so it’s better to do it in advance. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in the airport waiting for your eSIM installation.
Check if you’re not roaming. For this, go to the phone settings and turn the roaming off. Otherwise, you risk connecting to your local provider and using roaming. As a result, you pay way more.

Also, follow security tips and make sure to have a physical card with you. eSIM is a reliable tool, yet emergencies can happen. Hold your physical SIM card in the phone, and if something goes wrong, switch to roaming for some period. Finally, keep your data confidential. Make sure no one sees your eSIM activation details and passwords. Save the activation GQ-code just in case.

What Is the Best eSIM Card for Europe in 2024

Buy your eSIM from Yesim!