The Ultimate Guide to European eSIMs
Europe is the perfect destination for eSIM technology. With so many countries packed close together, you might visit France, Germany, and Switzerland all in one week. Buying local SIM cards in each country is a hassle and expensive. A Regional European eSIM covers almost the entire continent with a single purchase.
Regional vs. Local Plans
Regional (Recommended): Plans like Airalo's "Eurolink" or Holafly's "Europe" plan cover 30-40 countries. They automatically switch networks as you cross borders. This is ideal for most travelers.
Local: If you are spending 2 weeks only in Italy, a local Italian eSIM might be $2-3 cheaper. But if you take a day trip to France, it won't work. We generally recommend Regional plans for the peace of mind.
Does it cover the UK and Switzerland?
This is a critical question. Since Brexit, the UK is not part of the
EU "Roam Like at Home" rules. Switzerland has never been in the EU.
Good News: Most top-tier regional eSIMs (Airalo Eurolink, Nomad Europe, Holafly
Europe) DO include coverage in the UK and Switzerland. However, always check the
"Supported Countries" list before buying, as some cheaper budget plans might exclude them.
Do I need a phone number?
Most eSIMs are data-only. You use WhatsApp or FaceTime for calls. However, in Europe, having a real phone number can be useful for:
- Making restaurant reservations.
- Calling hotels or tour operators.
- Receiving SMS verification codes for local apps (like taxi apps).
If you need a number, Orange Holiday Europe is the best choice. It comes with a real French phone number (+33) that works all over Europe for calls and texts.
FAQ
5G availability varies by country and city. In major hubs like London, Paris, and Berlin, 5G is standard. In rural areas, you will likely drop to 4G/LTE, which is still very fast in Europe.
Yes, providers like Airalo and Nomad allow you to instantly buy more data in their app if you run low, without reinstalling the eSIM.