Best eSIMs for Europe: Top 7 Picks for 2026 and Discount Codes!

Looking for the best eSIMs for Europe?

 

You’re not alone.

 

With more than 600 (!) MILLION international arrivals in Europe EACH YEAR, staying connected has become essential, and traditional EXPENSIVE roaming doesn’t cut it anymore.

 

eSIMs are quickly becoming the go-to solution for travelers, offering a super-fast setup, reliable coverage (same as locals), and huge savings compared to carrier roaming fees or a physical SIM card.

 

But one thing we’ve learned from our travels? NOT ALL EUROPEAN ESIMS ARE EQUAL. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the best European eSIMs for travelers.

 

We’ve reviewed and compared the SEVEN most popular travel eSIM providers to help you choose the best eSIM for Europe.

 

Whether you want unlimited data, hotspot support, low-cost plans, or 5G in every country you land in, this COMPLETE EUROPEAN ESIM GUIDE covers it all.

 

👉 DID YOU KNOW: A recent Proximus Global survey found that only 33% of consumers had heard of eSIMs. So you’re already ahead of the curve!

 

eSIM comparison table

The table below compares key features of the six top eSIM providers for Europe discussed above:

BRAND	UBIGI	HOLAFLY	AIRALO
Coverage (global)	200+ destinations	190+ destinations	200+ destinations
Data-only plan	Yes (no calls/texts)	Yes (no calls/texts)	Yes (no calls/texts)
Types of data plans	Single-country, regional, global	Single-country, regional	Single-country, regional, global
Unlimited data	Optional	Yes	Optional (up to 100 GB)
Data sharing (tethering)	Yes	Limited (1 GB/day)	Yes
Customer Support	Chatbot and email (24/7)	Email and live chat	Email and chatbot
Trustpilot Score*	4.1 ★	4.5 ★	2.6 ★
BRAND	NOMAD	SIM LOCAL	GIGSKY
Coverage (global)	200+ destinations	190+ destinations	120+ destinations
Data-only plan	Yes	Yes + Some with calls	Yes
Types of data plans	Single-country, regional, global	Single-country, regional	Data packs, unlimited day passes
Unlimited data	Optional (slower after cap)	Yes (via Orange Holiday Europe)	Yes (unlimited passes)
Data sharing (tethering)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customer Support	Email	Email, chat, in-store	In-app chat and email
Trustpilot Score*	4.4 ★	5.0 ★	4.4 ★
BRAND	BAMBOOSIM	YESIM	–
Coverage (global)	200+ destinations	200+ destinations	–
Data-only plan	Yes (no calls/texts)	Yes (no calls/texts)	–
Types of data plans	Single-country, regional (Europe), multi-country/global	Single-country, regional, global, Pay as you go (Pay & Fly)	–
Unlimited data	No (fixed-data bundles)	Optional (country and regional plans)	–
Data sharing (tethering)	Yes	Yes	–
Customer Support	24/7 live chat, ticket and email support	In-app chat and email (24/7)	–
Trustpilot Score*	4.4 ★	4.3 ★	–

How much is an eSIM for Europe?

The comparison below looks at eSIM plans offering 20 GB of data for 30 days in EUROPE.

 

This gives you an overview of the CHEAPEST VS MOST EXPENSIVE brands!

 

Here are the prices (20 GB of data for 30 days in EUROPE):

• Nomad: US$22.10
• Sim Local: US$ 23.50
• Ubigi: US$ 32.00 (for 25 GB as 20Gb data plan does not exist)
• GigSky: US$ 32.00 (10 GB plan as 20 GB plan does not exist)
• Holafly: US$ 36.90 (unlimited for 30 days)
• Airalo: US$ 50.46
• Yesim: US$24.00
• BambooSim: US$20.00 (15 GB plan as 20 GB plan does not exist)

 

As you see, there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between 22 USD and 50 USD for the same data plan from 2 different providers.

 

Now, let’s look at all of them in detail! 

 

Ubigi

 

Ubigi is one of the best eSIMs for Europe thanks to its combination of affordability, speed, and broad coverage.

 

As a subsidiary of Transatel (NTT), Ubigi partners with top local networks (like Vodafone, Orange, Telefónica, etc.) to deliver reliable connectivity across Europe.

 

One big advantage of Ubigi is that it places NO LIMITS on hotspot usage, so you can tether freely to another device.

 

Ubigi’s plans are flexible: you can buy one-off data packs (e.g., 10 GB for around $16) or work with subscriptions like monthly and annual plans.

Ubigi’s pricing is very competitive for the quality and speeds you get.

 

The main limitation is that Ubigi is data-only, so there are no voice minutes or SMS included.

 

You’ll rely on internet apps like WhatsApp for calls and texts, which is true for most travel eSIMs.

 

Given its strong performance and a solid user reputation (Trustpilot: 4.1★), Ubigi is a top choice for American travelers in Europe who want a hassle-free, shareable data plan that works across many countries.

 

Read our full review of the Ubigi eSIM!

 

Sim Local

 

If you’re looking for an eSIM with local carrier performance and the ability to make VOICE CALLS, Sim Local is your best option.

 

Sim Local started as a retailer of physical SIM cards at airports and has leveraged its partnerships with carriers like Orange to offer eSIM plans for travelers.

 

The amazing offering here is the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM, available in 12 GB, 30 GB, or 50 GB data packages (all valid 14 days). These plans include unlimited local calls and SMS within Europe, plus a bucket of international minutes and texts.

This turns your phone into a local European SIM, which is very handy for making reservations, calling hotels, or receiving verification texts while abroad.

 

Because Sim Local uses Orange’s network for its Europe eSIM, you can expect excellent coverage and data speeds in EU countries as Orange is one of the BIGGEST NETWORKS in Europe, so this is as good as it gets for high-speed data (up to 4G/LTE and 5G where available).

 

This is why we named it the best for high-speed data, as you’ll generally be on a primary network rather than a lower-priority roaming partner.

 

Sim Local also sells local country-specific eSIMs (for over 190 destinations) and a couple of global plans.

Do note: the global plans are data-only and relatively limited (e.g. 1 GB/3 days, or Orange’s 149-country 10 GB/14 days), those aren’t Sim Local’s strong suit compared to other providers.

 

Another unique item is their in-person customer support; Sim Local has physical shops in major airports (London Heathrow, Brussels Airport, etc.), so if you run into trouble, you could actually talk to a person who can assist. (Of course, they also offer online chat support with a real agent on their website.)

 

One downside is that Sim Local’s flexibility outside Europe is more limited. For example, there are no regional eSIMs for Asia or North America yet.

 

Read our full review of the Sim Local eSIM!

 

Holafly

 

If you never want to worry about data limits while traveling, Holafly is the provider for you.

 

Holafly offers UNLIMITED DATA eSIM plans for Europe, meaning you pay a flat fee for a certain number of days and get all the data you can use in that period.

 

This is a huge relief for travelers who need constant connectivity, from navigating with Google Maps to Instagramming every moment.

For instance, Holafly’s Europe eSIM comes in durations like 5 days, 7 days, 15 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, etc., and even allows custom-duration plans where you pay per day (about $3 to $4 per day).

 

For us, once we had set it up, we never thought about it again for the rest of the trip. 

 

The one thing to keep in mind is that unlimited doesn’t mean UNCAPPED speed at all times.

 

Holafly has a fair usage policy: while you get unlimited mobile data, if you use your phone as a HOTSPOT, that tethered data is limited to around 1 GB PER DAY at full speed (after which, hotspot data might be throttled or paused until the next day).

In practice, your phone’s own usage remains high-speed and truly unlimited; just avoid relying on one Holafly eSIM to feed multiple devices heavily.

 

Another big advantage of Holafly is its CUSTOMER SUPPORT: they offer 24/7 support and respond via live web chat or even WhatsApp.

 

One disadvantage is that Holafly’s plans DO NOT INCLUDE A PHONE NUMBER or voice/SMS service. It’s purely for data.

 

On top of that, the trade-off for unlimited data is cost. Holafly is NOT THE CHEAPEST option, but it does offer your peace of mind when traveling.

 

Nomad

 

Nomad is another major player in the eSIM world, offering a USER-FRIENDLY experience and a wide range of plan choices.

 

Nomad has local plans for individual countries in Europe (often sourced from local carriers), as well as a Europe-wide eSIM that covers roughly 35 countries.

 

Additionally, Nomad sells regional plans for continents and a few GLOBAL PLANS covering up to 100+ countries at once.

In terms of pricing, Nomad is very reasonable. A 5 GB/30 day Europe plan might be around $20.

 

Nomad often has PROMO CODES floating around (e.g. 10% off for first-time users).

 

👉 DID YOU KNOW: Nomad has a built-in loyalty system? Every $100 spent yields about $5 credit (5%).

 

One highlight: in some countries, Nomad’s eSIM lets you manually switch between multiple partner networks. This is super useful if, say, one network has weak coverage in your area, you can try another right from your phone settings.

 

When it comes to network quality, Nomad has impressed us. In several speed tests, Nomad’s data speeds were among the fastest, often in the top 3 of all eSIM providers tested.

Nomad does not throttle your speeds until you hit your data cap; once you run out, you’d need to buy more.

 

They recently introduced “day passes” in some regions, where you get 1 GB at high speed, and then unlimited data at 512 kbps after that for the rest of the day. It’s a good option for very short-term needs or minimal use cases.

 

One consideration: Nomad, like Airalo, Holafly, and Ubigi, is data-only (no calls/SMS). If you need a phone number, you’d need a different solution

 

With a Trustpilot around 4.4★ and many positive reviews about reliability, Nomad has built a strong reputation.

 

GigSky

 

GigSky is a veteran international SIM provider that has fully embraced eSIM.

 

It’s a great choice for travelers who want flexible short-term plans or who have specialized connectivity needs.

 

One of GigSky’s coolest offerings is its FREE TRIAL eSIM. You can get 100 MB of data, valid for 7 days, completely free to test out the service.

 

According to GigSky, this trial works in 125 countries, including many in Europe.

While 100 MB won’t last more than a day or two for most, it’s enough to perform a few tasks or as an emergency backup.

 

For Europe, GigSky has a standard regional plan (covering about 40 countries) with tiered data amounts (1 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, etc.) and durations.

 

But what sets GigSky apart is its UNLIMITED data plans offered in increments of days.

 

For example, you can buy an unlimited data plan for 5 days, 7 days, 14 days, etc. up to 30 days.

Where GigSky really differentiates is in travel extras: it’s the only provider on this list that specifically caters to cruise ship passengers and offers in-flight connectivity.

 

Their cruise eSIM plans cover certain cruise lines and regions (e.g. a Europe cruise plan, or specific plans for major cruise companies).

 

These use maritime networks, and while expensive (cruise internet is never cheap), it can be a lifesaver if you need to stay connected at sea.

 

Similarly, GigSky’s in-flight plan gives 100 MB for $13 on select airlines, decent for messaging when airplane Wi-Fi isn’t available or is pricier. These niche offerings make GigSky a one-stop shop if your European trip has a cruise leg or long-haul flights where you want some connectivity.

Read our full Gigsky review here!

 

Airalo

 

Airalo is often the first name travelers hear about for eSIMs, and for good reason: it’s a convenient, rock-bottom-priced solution to get cellular data in almost any country.

 

For Europe specifically, Airalo offers both individual country eSIMs (if you’re sticking to one country) and a regional “Europe” eSIM (Eurolink) that covers a large swath of the continent.

 

The Europe eSIM works in 42 countries (basically all of the EU plus popular non-EU spots like the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, etc.).

 

If you’re visiting 2 or more countries, the Eurolink eSIM is the easiest, no need to install a new eSIM for each country.

If you’re just going to, say, Italy and France, you could also install two separate cheap eSIMs for each, but Eurolink simplifies it by acting like one plan for all.

 

The biggest selling point of Airalo is its low cost. The company operates an eSIM “marketplace” with many local carriers, which drives prices down.

 

For example, Airalo’s Europe 1 GB/7 days is about $5, perfect for a short trip or as emergency data.

 

The largest Eurolink plan offers 100 GB for $142 (valid 180 days), which might appeal to a student or traveler spending several months in Europe.

These prices undercut many competitors. Airalo also supports eSIM top-ups, some plans let you recharge without reinstalling, which is convenient if you underestimated your data needs.

 

And yes, you can enable personal hotspot with Airalo; sharing data with your partner’s phone or your laptop works fine (just remember that will consume your data faster).

 

Airalo is data-only, meaning you won’t have a local number.

 

However, it’s worth mentioning that Airalo’s user reviews are mixed. Its Trustpilot rating sits around 2.6★, one of the lower scores in this space.

 

Many travelers have had positive experiences (Airalo has millions of users), but others report issues like connectivity gaps in rural areas, confusion with needing multiple eSIMs, or customer service delays.

 

BambooSIM

We also recommend one newcomer, a company that only exists since 2024, BambooSIM.

 

BambooSIM is an Australian company that is slowly conquering the eSIM world.

 

👉 DID YOU KNOW: Their iOS and Playstore apps only launched in September 2025?

 

So, it was up to us to put it to the test. How is the setup and the connection?

 

After installing it, the setup felt just as easy as with the big providers; there is no noticeable difference, which is a positive aspect. It means you have the same setup as other eSIMs. 

 

Also, installing the eSIM took a couple of minutes, the instructions were clear, and activation was hassle-free.

 

BambooSIM sells eSIMs in over 200 destinations worldwide, and their Europe regional plan is a convenient pick for multi-country trips. You install once, then roam across borders automatically.

A common option is the Europe eSIM with up to 15 GB of data and flexible validity windows, which is competitive for short to medium trips.

 

Just like most travel eSIM brands, BambooSIM plans are DATA-ONLY. So you will use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or similar apps for calls and texts.

 

 

Yesim

 

Yesim is one of the most practical eSIMs for travelers, especially if your trip involves more than one country or you do not want to guess your data needs upfront.

 

What makes Yesim stand out is PAY & FLY, their global pay-as-you-go plan. You top up credit once, then pay only for the data you actually use as you move between destinations. Any leftover balance stays valid for up to 12 months, so you are not stuck with expiring GB you never used.

Setup is fast, fully digital, and perfect for travel days. Install the eSIM before you leave, land, switch it on, and Yesim connects you to a strong local network automatically. No SIM swapping, no airport shops, and no roaming panic.

 

Just keep in mind that Yesim is DATA ONLY, so there is no local phone number for calls or SMS. For most travelers, that is a non-issue; WhatsApp, FaceTime, and iMessage work perfectly over data.

If you want a flexible, border-proof eSIM that is easy to manage in one app, Yesim is a strong pick.

 

Read our full review of the Yesim eSIM!

 

Final tips for choosing the best eSIMs for Europe

All these eSIMs can keep you connected throughout Europe, but the best eSIM for Europe will depend on your specific needs and travel style:

• If you need unlimited data: Holafly is the clear winner for worry-free unlimited internet, albeit at a premium price. It’s great for long trips or heavy data users (think streaming videos, work calls, etc.).

 

• If you’re on a tight budget: Airalo is hard to beat for cheap data in Europe. For a couple on a short vacation, each person can get an Airalo Eurolink plan (or even share one via tethering, since Airalo allows that).

 

• For overall value and sharing: Ubigi offers a nice balance of cost and performance, and its unrestricted tethering makes it ideal for a pair of travelers to share one plan.

 

• If you require local calls/SMS: Sim Local is unique in providing a local number with unlimited calls and texts in Europe. This is perfect if you need to make dinner reservations, call B&B hosts, or receive verification codes.

 

• Device compatibility: Before you buy any eSIM, double-check that your phone is eSIM-compatible and unlocked. Most newer iPhones (XR, XS, and later) and flagship Android phones support eSIM, but it’s wise to verify in settings.

 

What is the best eSIM for europe?

It really depends on what you want. Is it speed, unlimited data, budget…?

 

Based on that, the brands below are some of the best e-sims for Europe!