Best eSIM for Europe 2026: Tested Across 15 Countries

The best eSIM for Europe is Airalo ‘s Europe regional plan, offering coverage in 39 countries with reliable 4G/LTE speeds and plans starting at just $5 for 1GB. We tested 8 eSIM providers across 15 European countries over 4 months — running over 300 speed tests from Lisbon to Istanbul — and Airalo consistently delivered the best balance of coverage, speed, and value.

If you need unlimited data for remote work or heavy streaming, Holafly ‘s Europe plan is the clear winner at $27 for 5 days. And for budget travelers who want the lowest per-GB pricing, Saily from Nord Security starts at just $3.99/1GB.

Here’s a breakdown of every provider we tested, with real speed data, pricing comparisons, and exactly which eSIM to buy for your Europe trip.

Quick Picks: Best eSIM for Europe at a Glance

How We Tested eSIMs Across Europe

We didn’t just compare spec sheets. Over 4 months (October 2025 to February 2026), our team traveled through 15 European countries testing each eSIM provider in real-world conditions — train stations, Airbnbs, coworking spaces, airports, rural villages, and everything in between.

Countries tested: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Sweden, and Poland.

Testing methodology:

• 300+ speed tests using Ookla Speedtest and Fast.com, measured at different times of day
• Network switching tracked between border crossings (e.g., France to Germany, Croatia to Italy)
• Activation time from purchase to first data connection
• Real-world performance on video calls (Zoom, Google Meet), navigation (Google Maps), and streaming (YouTube, Spotify)
• Rural vs urban coverage compared in each country
• Tethering/hotspot tested on every provider that allows it
• Customer support contacted at least twice per provider to evaluate responsiveness

We also tracked seamless roaming behavior — whether the eSIM automatically switched networks at border crossings without dropping connectivity. This is critical for travelers doing multi-country Eurail trips or road trips.

For our broader global rankings, see our best eSIM providers guide.

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1. Airalo — Best Overall eSIM for Europe

Coverage: 39 European countries | Starting Price: $5/1GB | Unlimited Data: No | 5G: Select countries | Tethering: Yes

After testing Airalo ‘s Europe regional plan across 12 countries, it’s our top pick for most travelers. The combination of extensive coverage, reliable speeds, competitive pricing, and the best app in the business makes it hard to beat. For a deeper look at the provider overall, read our full Airalo review.

Europe Plan Pricing

Airalo’s Europe plan (branded “Eurolink”) covers 39 countries — all EU member states plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, and more. Here’s the pricing breakdown:

Plan	Data	Validity	Price	Per GB
Discover	1 GB	7 days	$5.00	$5.00/GB
Explorer	3 GB	30 days	$13.00	$4.33/GB
Adventurer	5 GB	30 days	$20.00	$4.00/GB
Nomad	10 GB	30 days	$37.00	$3.70/GB
Power	20 GB	30 days	$59.00	$2.95/GB

The per-GB cost drops significantly as you scale up. If you’re spending two weeks or more in Europe, the 10GB or 20GB plans offer the best value.

Speed Test Results

We ran speed tests in major cities across Europe. Here’s what Airalo delivered:

Country	City	Average Download	Average Upload	Network
France	Paris	68 Mbps	22 Mbps	4G LTE
Germany	Berlin	55 Mbps	18 Mbps	4G LTE
Spain	Barcelona	72 Mbps	25 Mbps	4G LTE
Italy	Rome	48 Mbps	15 Mbps	4G LTE
UK	London	85 Mbps	30 Mbps	5G
Portugal	Lisbon	62 Mbps	20 Mbps	4G LTE
Netherlands	Amsterdam	78 Mbps	28 Mbps	4G LTE
Greece	Athens	42 Mbps	14 Mbps	4G LTE
Switzerland	Zurich	90 Mbps	32 Mbps	5G
Czech Republic	Prague	58 Mbps	19 Mbps	4G LTE

5G was available in the UK, Switzerland, and select areas of France and Germany. Where 5G connected, speeds regularly exceeded 150 Mbps.

Rural coverage: We tested in the Portuguese Algarve, Greek islands (Crete and Santorini), and the Croatian coast. Speeds dropped to 15-35 Mbps in these areas, but connectivity held steady — we only experienced one brief outage on a ferry between Greek islands.

Border crossings: On a train from Paris to Amsterdam, the eSIM switched networks seamlessly at the French-Belgian and Belgian-Dutch borders. No manual intervention required, no downtime. Same experience on trains between Austria and Czech Republic, and driving from Croatia to Italy.

Airalo Europe: Pros & Cons

Who Should Choose Airalo for Europe

Airalo’s Europe plan is the right choice if you’re visiting 2 or more European countries, want reliable coverage without surprises, and prefer a polished app experience. It’s the digital nomad’s go-to for Eurail trips, multi-city backpacking, and business travel across the continent.

Not ideal for: Travelers staying in one country for 30+ days (a single-country plan or local SIM is cheaper), or heavy data users who need unlimited.

Get Airalo Europe eSIM

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2. Holafly — Best Unlimited Data eSIM for Europe

Coverage: 35+ European countries | Starting Price: $27/5 days | Unlimited Data: Yes | 5G: No | Tethering: Limited

If tracking gigabytes stresses you out, Holafly ‘s unlimited Europe plan eliminates data anxiety entirely. We used it for 3 weeks of remote work across Spain, France, and Italy — running daily video calls, uploading content, and streaming — without ever hitting a cap. For a complete breakdown of Holafly as a provider, see our Holafly review.

Unlimited Europe Plan Pricing

Plan	Data	Validity	Price	Per Day
Short Trip	Unlimited	5 days	$27.00	$5.40/day
Week	Unlimited	7 days	$34.00	$4.86/day
Extended	Unlimited	10 days	$47.00	$4.70/day
Two Weeks	Unlimited	15 days	$57.00	$3.80/day
Full Month	Unlimited	20 days	$69.00	$3.45/day
Long Stay	Unlimited	30 days	$87.00	$2.90/day
Extended Stay	Unlimited	60 days	$147.00	$2.45/day
Season	Unlimited	90 days	$198.00	$2.20/day

The longer your trip, the better the daily rate. The 90-day plan works out to just $2.20/day for unlimited data across Europe — genuinely competitive with local SIMs when you factor in the multi-country coverage.

Speed Test Results

Country	City	Average Download	Average Upload	Network
France	Paris	52 Mbps	18 Mbps	4G LTE
Spain	Madrid	60 Mbps	21 Mbps	4G LTE
Spain	Barcelona	55 Mbps	19 Mbps	4G LTE
Italy	Milan	45 Mbps	16 Mbps	4G LTE
Italy	Rome	40 Mbps	14 Mbps	4G LTE
Germany	Munich	50 Mbps	17 Mbps	4G LTE
Portugal	Porto	48 Mbps	16 Mbps	4G LTE

Holafly’s speeds are slightly lower than Airalo’s in most countries — roughly 10-15% slower on average. This is the trade-off for unlimited data. That said, 40-60 Mbps is more than sufficient for video calls, streaming, and heavy browsing.

Fair use policy: Holafly advertises “unlimited” and we never hit a hard cap. Over a 3-week stretch in Spain, we consumed approximately 65GB. However, other reviewers have reported speeds throttling after 100GB+ in a billing period. For typical travel use — even heavy remote work — you’re unlikely to hit this threshold.

Tethering limitation: Holafly restricts tethering/hotspot on most unlimited plans. If you need to share your connection with a laptop, this is a significant drawback. We confirmed through testing that hotspot was blocked on both iPhone and Android devices.

Holafly Europe: Pros & Cons

Who Should Choose Holafly for Europe

Holafly is the right pick for remote workers, content creators, and travelers who don’t want to think about data. If you’re spending 1-4 weeks in Europe, working from cafes and coworking spaces, and streaming on rest days, unlimited data at a predictable cost is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade.

Holafly also makes sense for families or groups where multiple people need connectivity — though the tethering restriction limits this advantage. For a head-to-head comparison with our top pick, see our Airalo vs Holafly analysis.

Not ideal for: Budget travelers who use under 5GB, anyone who needs tethering for a laptop, or travelers who need 5G speeds.

Get Holafly Unlimited Europe eSIM

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3. Saily — Best Value eSIM for Europe

Coverage: 30+ European countries | Starting Price: $3.99/1GB | Unlimited Data: No | 5G: Select countries | Tethering: Yes

Saily is built by Nord Security — the company behind NordVPN — and it shows. The app is clean, setup is fast, and the pricing undercuts nearly every competitor. We tested it in 8 European countries and came away impressed.

Europe Plan Pricing

Plan	Data	Validity	Price	Per GB
Starter	1 GB	7 days	$3.99	$3.99/GB
Basic	3 GB	30 days	$10.99	$3.66/GB
Standard	5 GB	30 days	$16.99	$3.40/GB
Plus	10 GB	30 days	$29.99	$3.00/GB
Premium	20 GB	30 days	$49.99	$2.50/GB

Saily is consistently 15-25% cheaper than Airalo for equivalent Europe plans. The 20GB plan at $49.99 versus Airalo’s $59 represents meaningful savings — enough to buy dinner in Lisbon.

Speed Test Results

Country	City	Average Download	Average Upload	Network
France	Lyon	65 Mbps	20 Mbps	4G LTE
Germany	Frankfurt	72 Mbps	24 Mbps	4G/5G
Spain	Valencia	58 Mbps	19 Mbps	4G LTE
Italy	Florence	44 Mbps	15 Mbps	4G LTE
Portugal	Lisbon	60 Mbps	21 Mbps	4G LTE
Poland	Warsaw	68 Mbps	23 Mbps	4G LTE
Sweden	Stockholm	82 Mbps	29 Mbps	5G
Austria	Vienna	55 Mbps	18 Mbps	4G LTE

Saily’s speeds were surprisingly strong — matching Airalo in most locations and occasionally exceeding them (notably in Germany and Sweden where 5G kicked in). The Nord Security infrastructure clearly translates into quality network partnerships.

Saily Europe: Pros & Cons

Who Should Choose Saily for Europe

Saily is the pick for budget-conscious travelers who want quality without overpaying. If you’re hitting major European destinations (Western Europe, Scandinavia, Central Europe) and want the lowest price per gigabyte, Saily delivers.

It’s also a natural fit if you already trust the NordVPN brand. If you’re pairing an eSIM with a VPN for travel, Saily + NordVPN makes for a clean two-app travel connectivity stack.

Not ideal for: Travelers visiting less-common European destinations (Saily’s 30+ countries may miss some), or anyone who values a larger provider’s track record.

Get Saily Europe eSIM

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4. Nomad eSIM — Best for Multi-Country Eurail Trips

Coverage: 35+ European countries | Starting Price: $4/1GB | Unlimited Data: No | 5G: No | Tethering: Yes

Nomad eSIM is a solid mid-tier option that shines on multi-country itineraries. Its Europe regional plans cover 35+ countries, and the app includes helpful features like data usage tracking by country — handy for keeping tabs on which destinations eat through your data fastest.

Europe Plan Pricing

Plan	Data	Validity	Price	Per GB
Light	1 GB	7 days	$4.00	$4.00/GB
Moderate	3 GB	30 days	$12.00	$4.00/GB
Standard	5 GB	30 days	$18.00	$3.60/GB
Heavy	10 GB	30 days	$32.00	$3.20/GB

Nomad’s pricing lands between Saily and Airalo — competitive but not the cheapest. The value proposition comes from the app experience and per-country data tracking.

What We Found

We used Nomad on a 10-day train trip through Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland. Average speeds ranged from 35-75 Mbps across major cities, with clean network transitions at every border crossing.

Standout feature: Nomad’s app shows a breakdown of data consumed in each country. This is surprisingly useful for optimizing future trips — we discovered that video calls in Prague consumed 40% more data than the same calls in Vienna, likely due to network compression differences.

Free trial: Nomad offers a free 3-day trial with limited data in select European markets, which makes it the lowest-risk way to test an eSIM on your device before committing money.

Who Should Choose Nomad for Europe

Nomad is ideal for first-time eSIM users (free trial removes risk), Eurail travelers doing multi-stop itineraries, and anyone who wants granular data usage insights. It’s a reliable choice even if it doesn’t top any single category.

Try Nomad eSIM Free

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5. Ubigi — Best for Short European Business Trips

Coverage: 30+ European countries | Starting Price: $9/3 days | Unlimited Data: No | 5G: Select countries | Tethering: Yes

Ubigi takes a different approach with day-based plans that include generous data allowances. This structure works well for short business trips where you need guaranteed connectivity for 3-5 days without worrying about running out.

Europe Plan Pricing

Plan	Data	Validity	Price	Per Day
Express	3 GB	3 days	$9.00	$3.00/day
Business	10 GB	15 days	$25.00	$1.67/day
Extended	10 GB	30 days	$32.00	$1.07/day

Ubigi’s pricing isn’t the cheapest per GB, but the day-based structure is convenient for travelers who know exactly how long they’ll be in Europe.

What We Found

We tested Ubigi on a 5-day business trip covering London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. Average speeds were 55-90 Mbps, with notable 5G connectivity in London and Frankfurt. The 5G speeds (180-250 Mbps) were genuinely helpful for large file transfers and back-to-back video meetings.

5G advantage: Ubigi has stronger 5G partnerships in European business hubs than most competitors. If you’re attending conferences or working from major city centers, this translates to a noticeably faster experience.

Setup: Clean and fast — under 4 minutes from purchase to connectivity. The web-based management portal (in addition to the app) is a nice touch for business users.

Who Should Choose Ubigi for Europe

Ubigi is the right pick for business travelers doing short trips to major European cities, anyone who prioritizes 5G speeds for work, and travelers who prefer time-based plans over data-based ones.

Not ideal for: Budget travelers, long-stay nomads, or anyone visiting smaller European countries outside Ubigi’s 30+ country coverage.

Get Ubigi Europe eSIM

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Full Comparison Table: All Europe eSIM Providers

Here’s every provider we tested for Europe, side by side. Use this to compare the features that matter most to your trip.

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How to Choose the Right eSIM for Europe

Not every eSIM works equally well for every type of Europe trip. Here’s a decision framework based on the four factors that matter most.

By Trip Length

Weekend getaway (2-4 days): Get Airalo’s 1GB plan ($5) or Saily’s 1GB ($3.99). You’ll have plenty for maps, messaging, and social media. If you’re a heavier user, Ubigi’s 3-day/3GB plan ($9) provides more breathing room.

One-week vacation (5-7 days): Airalo’s 3GB plan ($13) or Saily’s 3GB ($10.99) works for moderate use. If you’re working remotely or uploading lots of photos/videos, jump to a 5GB plan or Holafly’s 7-day unlimited ($34).

Two-week trip (10-14 days): The 5-10GB range from Airalo or Saily hits the sweet spot for most travelers. Remote workers should strongly consider Holafly’s 15-day unlimited at $57.

Month or longer: If you’re staying in one country, a local prepaid SIM (Vodafone, Orange, Three) often costs less. If you’re moving between countries, Holafly’s 30-day unlimited ($87) or Airalo’s 20GB plan ($59) keeps things simple. Holafly even offers 60-day ($147) and 90-day ($198) plans.

By Data Usage

Light users (under 3GB/week): Saily or Airalo’s smallest plans. You’re browsing, messaging, and using maps. Budget: $4-13 total.

Moderate users (3-7GB/week): Airalo or Saily’s 5-10GB plans. You’re making occasional video calls, posting on social media, and using navigation daily. Budget: $17-37 for 30 days.

Heavy users (7GB+/week): Holafly unlimited is the stress-free choice. Remote workers on daily video calls, content creators uploading footage, or anyone streaming regularly. Budget: $34-87 depending on duration.

By Destinations Covered

Not all providers cover the same countries. Here’s what to consider:

• Major Western European destinations (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, Portugal): All providers cover these.
• Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria): Airalo and Nomad have the strongest coverage here.
• Turkey: Covered by Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. Check Saily and Ubigi if this is on your itinerary.
• Switzerland, Norway, Iceland: Most providers cover these but on separate non-EU networks. Verify your specific plan includes them, as they’re outside the EU roaming zone.
• UK post-Brexit: All major providers still cover the UK, but it’s treated as a separate non-EU country in some plans.

By Budget

Tightest budget: Saily wins with the lowest per-GB pricing across the board. A 2-week Europe trip with moderate usage costs about $11-17.

Best value: Airalo’s mid-tier plans (5-10GB) offer the best balance of price, coverage, and reliability. Budget $20-37 for most trips.

Money no object: Holafly unlimited removes all data decisions from your trip. You’ll spend $27-87 depending on duration, but never worry about connectivity again.

Quick Decision Tree

• Need unlimited data? Get Holafly
• Visiting 3+ countries on a budget? Get Saily
• Want the widest coverage and best app? Get Airalo
• First time trying an eSIM? Get Nomad (free trial)
• Short business trip needing 5G? Get Ubigi

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Europe eSIM vs Local SIM Card

One of the most common questions we get: should you buy an eSIM or pick up a local SIM at the airport? The answer depends on your trip.

When an eSIM Wins in Europe

Multi-country travel: This is where eSIMs demolish local SIMs. One purchase covers 30-39 countries. Buying a local SIM in France, then another in Spain, then another in Italy is tedious, time-consuming, and often more expensive overall.

Short trips (under 2 weeks): An eSIM is faster, cheaper, and requires zero effort. No hunting for a phone shop at the airport, no passport registration, no language barrier at a Vodafone counter.

Keeping your home number: With dual SIM, your physical SIM stays active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data. This is essential for receiving 2FA codes, bank notifications, and staying reachable on your main number.

EU roaming context: Since 2017, EU roaming charges were abolished between EU member states. If you have an EU SIM card (e.g., from France), it works across the EU. But if you’re coming from outside the EU (US, Australia, Asia), your home carrier will charge international roaming rates — often $10-15/GB. An eSIM at $3-5/GB is a fraction of that cost.

When a Local SIM Wins in Europe

Staying 30+ days in one country: A local prepaid SIM from Vodafone, Orange, O2, or Three costs 10-20 EUR/month for 20-50GB — significantly cheaper than any eSIM for equivalent data. If you’re spending a month in Portugal or doing a long-term stay in Spain, local wins on price.

Need a local phone number: Some European services (food delivery, ride-sharing, apartment rentals) require a local number for SMS verification. eSIMs are data-only — no local number included.

Very heavy data usage: If you need 50-100GB+/month for a single country, local carriers offer better monthly rates than eSIM providers.

Bottom line: For trips covering 2+ countries or lasting under a month, an eSIM is the better choice. For single-country stays over a month, a local SIM makes more financial sense.

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Tips for Using eSIM in Europe

Set Up Before You Depart

Install your eSIM at home before your flight. Every provider lets you purchase and install the eSIM profile in advance — you just don’t activate the data plan until you arrive. This means the moment you land and turn off airplane mode, you’re connected. No fumbling with QR codes in an airport line.

Manage Dual SIM Correctly

Most modern phones (iPhone XS and later, Samsung S20 and later, Google Pixel 3a and later) support dual SIM — one physical SIM and one or more eSIMs. Set your eSIM as the data line and keep your physical home SIM as the voice/SMS line. This way you get European data speeds while still receiving calls and texts on your home number.

On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans — label your eSIM as “Travel Data” and set it as the default data line.

Monitor Your Data Usage

For metered plans (Airalo, Saily, Nomad), check the provider’s app regularly to track consumption. Alternatively, your phone’s built-in data monitoring works too:

• iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Current Period (reset at trip start)
• Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage

Data-saving tip: Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) before your trip. Offline maps use zero data for navigation. Also pre-download Spotify playlists and Netflix shows for trains and flights.

Know the Tethering Situation

If you’re planning to use your phone as a hotspot for your laptop, confirm tethering is allowed before purchase:

• Airalo: Tethering allowed on all plans
• Saily: Tethering allowed
• Nomad: Tethering allowed
• Ubigi: Tethering allowed
• Holafly: Tethering restricted on unlimited plans

Test Before Critical Moments

Don’t wait until you need to navigate to your Airbnb in a foreign city to discover your eSIM isn’t working. After installation, run a quick speed test and open a few apps to verify everything connects properly. If something goes wrong, contact support while you still have WiFi.

Have a Backup Plan

Even the best eSIMs can have occasional hiccups. Keep these backups in mind:

• WiFi: Europe has excellent WiFi coverage in cafes, hotels, airports, and many public spaces.
• Your home carrier: If your plan includes any international data (even at high rates), it can serve as an emergency backup.
• Airport SIM shops: Every major European airport has SIM card vendors as a fallback.

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Pros & Cons of Using an eSIM in Europe

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Final Verdict: Our Top eSIM Picks for Europe

After 4 months of testing across 15 European countries, here are our definitive recommendations:

Best overall: Airalo — 39 countries, reliable speeds, excellent app, competitive pricing. The default choice for most Europe travelers.

Best unlimited data: Holafly — Truly unlimited data without caps. Perfect for remote workers and heavy users. Worth the premium for data peace of mind.

Best value: Saily — 15-25% cheaper than competitors with strong speeds. The smart pick for budget-conscious travelers.

Best for first-timers: Nomad eSIM — Free trial lets you test before committing. Zero-risk way to try eSIM technology.

Best for business: Ubigi — Strong 5G in major European business centers. Day-based plans suit short conference trips.

Whichever provider you choose, buying your eSIM before you fly is one of the smartest travel prep moves you can make. No SIM card hunting, no carrier store lines, no overpriced airport data — just land, connect, and go.

For a broader comparison of these providers across all destinations (not just Europe), check out our best eSIM providers ranking.