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Which is the best SIM card for Europe in 2025?
Here’s everything you need to know before you buy your prepaid data SIM card for Europe — including prices, where to buy, and more.
Using a physical SIM card is one of the best ways to avoid excessive roaming charges and still get mobile internet in Europe. However, not all travel SIM cards are made equal. To help you choose the best SIM card for Europe, we’ll run through the pricing and key features of top travel SIM cards for Europe.
On top of that, we’ll guide you through the best eSIM for Europe, an easier way to travel stress-free throughout the continent.
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What are the best SIM cards for Europe?
There’s no single answer to what the best SIM card for Europe is. It all depends on your personal needs, where you’ll be traveling to, and how many countries in Europe you plan to visit. On top of country-specific details, you have to consider factors such as data limits, costs, connection speed, and coverage.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best SIM cards in Europe and what they have to offer.
Lebara: Best for affordable plans
Using your cell phone in Europe for calls and data doesn’t need to break the bank. Lebara offers a number of affordable SIM cards in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, and Denmark. If one or several of these countries are on your travel list, it’s an option you definitely should consider.
In Germany, for example, Lebara offers a pay-as-you-go SIM card that can be topped off with prepaid plans, such as:
- HELLO! 1 + 4 at $5.5 USD for 5 GB
- HELLO! 7 + 7 at $11 for 14 GB
- HELLO! 15 + 7 AT $16 for 22 GB
One thing to keep in mind: All Lebara prepaid SIM cards only work in the country you buy it from. Getting a monthly plan is the only way to use the same card in multiple countries. So, if you’re visiting different countries during your stay, this might not be the best European SIM card for you.
Orange: Best SIM card to order online
Orange is a leading global mobile network provider that operates in many European countries, including Belgium, Spain, France, and Luxembourg.
Here are the most popular packages available with Orange:
- Orange Holiday Europe with 30 GB: 14-day validity, unlimited calls within Europe, 120 international minutes, 1,000 international text messages for $43.50
- Orange Holiday Europe with 12 GB: 14-day validity, unlimited calls within Europe, 30 international minutes, 200 international text messages for $22
- Orange Holiday Europe with 1 GB: 7-day validity, data-only plan (no minutes and text messages included) for $5.50
These plans allow data tethering, can be used on any device, and are valid across Europe.
One thing to keep in mind: You’ll need to register your SIM within 30 days from purchase—and you’ll need a valid photo ID to do it.
Vodafone: Best for multi-country European tours
You’ll find Vodafone in the following European countries: Albania, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the UK.
Vodafone offers different SIM card packages for tourists in every country. For example, Vodafone UK features multiple international SIM card plans for those traveling to the UK:
- 30-day SIM-only plans starting at $33.50 for 3 GB
- Pay-as-you-go SIM plans offering free SIM cards and top-up bundles starting at $13 for 27 GB
- 30-day data-only SIMs starting at $22 for 4 GB
Check out what’s on offer in your destination country to get international calls and coverage.
Three UK: Best SIM card for trips starting in the UK
The pay-as-you-go SIM card from Three works in the UK and over 40 other countries and territories in Europe. It’s one of the best SIM cards for Europe with unlimited data as well, and the only physical SIM on this list to offer unlimited options. The Three SIM offers the following one-month data packs for travelers in Europe:
- Unlimited data for $45
- 150 GB for $26
- 75 GB for $20
- 10 GB for $13
All four plans come with unlimited messages and minutes within the UK. To save on international calls, you can purchase an add-on for 100 minutes at $8. A pay-as-you-go SIM card is also available if you’re traveling for a shorter amount of time.
It’s worth noting that Three receives quite a few negative reviews for their product and service. So get familiar with some user reviews and decide if it’s something you don’t mind dealing with.
Bouygues Telecom: Best SIM card for French adventures
Bouygues Telecom’s prepaid SIM cards are one of the top choices for people visiting France. All of their travel cards are valid for 30 days, have coverage in all of Europe, and can be delivered globally. Plans include:
- My European SIM Basic: Valid for 15 days, 15 GB of data, costs $21.50
- My European SIM Basic+: Valid for 15 days, 20 GB of data, costs $24
- My European SIM 30 GB: Valid for 30 days, costs $43.50
- My European SIM 60 GB: Valid for 30 days, costs $45.50
SIM registration and activation require a valid email address, and SIM top-ups are only available within France.
Holafly: The best eSIM for Europe with unlimited data
Using an eSIM can save you from the headache of having to buy a physical travel SIM card. eSIMs are completely digital and only take a couple of minutes to buy and activate, which make it the go-to way of staying connected for millions of travelers worldwide.
Holafly is one of the best eSIM options for Europe, offering unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and up to 1 GB of data sharing daily with all plans. The plan duration is completely flexible, allowing you to match your eSIM plan with your stay and avoid paying for any days you don’t need.
You can get the Holafly eSIM for Europe offers coverage throughout the entire continent without the need for a new plan when you cross a border. Get it as cheap as $1.55/day with the longer plans, though the price at any plan duration offers more bang for your buck than pretty much any other alternative out there.
As soon as you buy your Holafly eSIM, you’ll receive an activation QR code. Scan it, follow the prompts, and enjoy non-stop mobile internet in Europe, no matter how much data you use.
Where to buy a data SIM card for Europe?
You can either buy your data SIM before your trip and have it delivered to your home or buy one as soon as you arrive in Europe. Before you travel to Europe with your iPhone or Android phone, ensure your device is not SIM-locked. Otherwise, it will not work with travel SIM cards.
Buy your SIM card for Europe from online stores
If you’re the type of person who likes to plan ahead, you’ll be happy to know you can get your European SIM card online, way before you take off to another continent. You can cross this item off your Europe packing list and not worry about having to find a suitable option when you arrive.
If you do decide to buy your SIM card from an online store, your best bet is bying from international suppliers rather than local mobile carriers, like Orange, Vodafone, or Lebara. This means you’ll most likely have to pay for the SIM card delivery and wait for the item to be delivered, which makes it unsuitable for a last-minute purchase.
Buy your SIM card for Europe from an airport
You will find carrier stores selling travel SIM cards in pretty much every international airport in Europe. Simply walk into a store, find a SIM that suits your needs, and buy it on the spot. You’ll want to keep your passport or any other valid photo ID on hand, though, as you may not be able to get a SIM card without it, with some countries in Europe requesting proof of address/residence for SIM registration.
Buy your SIM card for Europe from physical stores
Airports aren’t the only places that sell travel SIM cards in Europe. You’ll also be able to buy it in any carrier store as well as most larger convenience stores, and even some smaller corner stores throughout the continent.
The big issue with buying your SIM card outside of the airport is that you’ll have to navigate a foreign country without mobile internet. This means no access to Google Maps, ride sharing apps, or translation apps. Having a way to stay connected as soon as you land in Europe simply makes your time a lot easier.
How to choose the best SIM card for Europe
Choosing the best SIM card for Europe should be less intimidating now. You know what’s on the market, now all that’s left to do is:
- Compare the value each company offers for the set SIM price
- Look for unlimited data options
- Pay attention to the covered countries and additional roaming charges
- Ensure the validity of the SIM aligns with your time in Europe
- Register your SIM before departure and activate it after you land
- Get yourself an Aperol Spritz and enjoy your vacation!
Is there a SIM card for the whole of Europe?
Orange, Vodafone, and Bouygues Telecom SIMs offer extensive coverage in multiple European countries, some with no additional roaming charges. Others, like the Three SIM, have additional costs if they’re to be used in more than one location across Europe. Operators like Lebara offer international coverage only with monthly plans.
So, all SIMs can technically be used across Europe. However, you may encounter hidden fees when changing countries. So beware and read the fine print of every SIM contract.
Stay connected with Holafly
You don’t need to visit physical shops and fiddle around with tiny plastic cards to get mobile internet in Europe. Simply get a Holafly Europe eSIM and enjoy 24/7 customer support and unlimited data wherever you go.
Holafly is a completely digital product, so you can buy, install, and activate your eSIM online. The whole process only takes a few minutes and you’ll have mobile internet almost instantly.
One plan is all you need
Explore Europe with unlimited data that crosses borders with you, without changing eSIM.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
