An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM. eSIMs are directly embedded into the device itself. With an eSIM, there is no need to get a SIM card from your carrier or swap SIM cards if you want to change carriers. You can simply download a cellular plan remotely straight to your device. best eu esim

eSIMs work by having a unique identifier such as an ICCID programmed into the embedded chip. This allows it to be activated remotely by your carrier. The main benefits of eSIMs over physical SIM cards are:

• Convenience – No need to wait for a SIM card to arrive or go to a store to get activated. Everything can be done digitally.
• Flexibility – Switch between plans and carriers easily without having to swap SIMs. Great for travel.
• Security – Reduced risk of SIM swapping fraud as the ID is embedded into the device.
• Space saving frees up the SIM card slot for other functionality like additional storage.

eSIM technology is supported on many of the latest smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices from top brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, and Microsoft. As more manufacturers adopt eSIMs, the days of the physical SIM card might be numbered.

Top eSIM Providers in the EU

Europe is ahead of many other regions in eSIM adoption. Several major telecom operators across the EU now offer eSIM plans and services.

Vodafone

Vodafone was one of the first providers to launch eSIM services in Europe. They currently offer eSIM support in most major European markets, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and more. Vodafone eSIMs allow you to easily switch data plans as you travel across Europe.

Deutsche Telekom

Deutsche Telekom, the largest telecom in Germany, has offered eSIMs since 2018. Their eSIM plans are available across Germany through their Magenta brand. Deutsche Telekom also operates subsidiaries with eSIM support in other EU countries, like T-Mobile in the Netherlands.

Orange best eu esim

Orange provides eSIM service in its major European markets of France, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Moldova. They have a wide range of eSIM data plans for travel, residency, or having multiple numbers on one device.

Telefonica

Telefonica’s O2 brand offers eSIM service in the UK, Germany, and Spain. Their eSIM plans come with free roaming across the EU. Telefonica also operates an eSIM service in Latin America.

TIM

TIM is the largest telecom operator in Italy and a major provider of eSIMs in the country. They have partnerships to enable their eSIMs to work across Europe for roaming. TIM also offers eSIM plans in Brazil.

eSIM Hardware Compatibility best eu esim

When it comes to hardware, having a device that supports eSIM technology natively is crucial to taking advantage of eSIM plans. Many newer models of smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets released in the last few years come with built-in eSIM capability.

Some examples of popular devices that support eSIMs natively include:

Apple iPhones:

• Starting from the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, and including the newer iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd generation), and the entire iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 series, these models support eSIM functionality. Notably, the iPhone 14 series and newer do not support physical SIM cards in the USA.

Samsung Galaxy Phones:

• The Samsung Galaxy S20 series onwards, including the S21, S22, and the latest S23 series, support eSIM. The Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series, from the first Galaxy Fold up to the latest Z Fold5, also come with eSIM support.

Google Pixel Phones:

• Google’s eSIM support began with the Pixel 2 and has continued through the Pixel 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 series, including the Pixel Fold. It’s worth noting that some Pixel models don’t support eSIM, depending on the region and carrier.

Huawei:

• Select Huawei models like the P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro, Mate Xs 2, and Mate X2 have eSIM capabilities. However, the P40 Pro+ and P50 Pro do not support eSIM.

Oppo:

• Models such as the Oppo Find X3 Pro, Reno 5A, Find X5, Find X5 Pro and the Find N2 Flip are equipped with eSIM technology.

Sony:

• Sony Xperia models, including the Xperia 10 III Lite, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 10V, Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia 1 V, and Xperia Ace III, support eSIM.

Xiaomi:

• Xiaomi’s eSIM-compatible phones include the Xiaomi 12T Pro, 13 series, and 13T Pro.

Motorola:

• Motorola offers eSIM support in various models like the Motorola Razr series, Edge 40 Pro, Edge 40, Edge+, and others in the G series.

Other Brands:

• Various other Android phones support eSIM, including models from Honor, Sharp, Nuu Mobile, Rakuten, Vivo, and more.

Many laptops and PCs are also starting to incorporate eSIMs. Overall, if you want to use eSIM plans, choosing a recent flagship smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch from Apple, Samsung, Google, or Microsoft will ensure compatibility. Be sure to double-check the exact model numbers for eSIM support before purchasing any device.

Using eSIMs for Travel best eu esim

One of the major benefits of eSIMs is the convenience they provide for international travel. With an eSIM, you can easily activate temporary data plans in different countries without having to obtain a physical SIM card in each location. This makes travel much simpler compared to juggling multiple SIM cards.

Some key advantages of using eSIMs while traveling include:

• Flexibility – You can switch between plans and carriers easily. With eSIMs, you aren’t locked into a single provider.
• Cost savings – Local data plans are often cheaper than roaming packages. eSIMs allow you to activate affordable data packages in each country.
• Multi-country access – You can activate plans in multiple countries on a single trip without swapping SIMs. eSIMs enable seamless connectivity as you travel.
• Easy activation – eSIM plans can be purchased and activated entirely online. No need to go to a store or kiosk to activate a physical SIM card.
• Improved security – With no physical SIM card, you lower the risk of your SIM being lost, stolen, or cloned.

When researching eSIM travel options, look for providers that offer flexible, short-term data packages tailored to travelers. Be sure to compare pricing across countries. With a bit of planning, eSIMs can greatly simplify connectivity while globetrotting.

eSIM Plans in UK best eu esim

The major mobile carriers in the UK all offer eSIM plans to consumers. Here’s an overview of the top options:

Three

• Three supports eSIM across its range of pay-per-month (postpaid) plans. These include Essential at £10/month, Advanced at £15/month, and All-You-Can-Eat Data at £20/month.
• All plans include unlimited texts, unlimited minutes, and roaming in 70+ destinations. The main difference is the amount of data—from 4GB on Essential to unlimited on All-You-Can-Eat.
• Customers must pair the eSIM plan with an eSIM-compatible device like an iPhone XS or newer. The eSIM can be activated online through Three’s website.

Vodafone

• Vodafone eSIM plans start at £11/month for the Basics plan. Vodafone also offers Unlimited and Unlimited Max plans for £22–£30/month.
• Vodafone eSIMs include unlimited calls and texts, roaming in 40+ countries, and data from 500MB to unlimited, depending on the plan. Customers can activate online.

O2 best eu esim

• O2 offers eSIM with its custom, build-your-own Flex plans. Options start at £10/month for 1GB of data.
• Flex plans allow mixing networks – 4G, 5G, data rollover, limitless data, and more. Customers can create a personalized plan.
• eSIM for Flex must be activated in-store. Unlimited minutes/texts included. EU roaming also available.

EE

• EE provides eSIM with its Smart, Full Works, and Unlimited plans. Prices range from £20-£32/month.
• Plans include unlimited texts and minutes, EU roaming, and data allotments from 4GB to unlimited. Access to 5G network is included.
• Customers can activate EE eSIM online through their account portal after purchasing a plan.

eSIM Plans in Germany

Germany has three major mobile carriers that offer eSIM plans – Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefónica Germany.

Deutsche Telekom, also known as T-Mobile, offers eSIM support on all iOS devices from the iPhone XS and newer models, as well as newer Android models like the Pixel 3 and above. Their eSIM plans allow you to use a separate data-only plan or share your existing phone plan’s data allotment. Deutsche Telekom eSIM plans start at €4.95 per month for 300 MB of data.

Vodafone Germany launched eSIM support in 2019 and also offers eSIM data plans starting at €4.99 per month for 100 MB data or €9.99 per month for 1 GB data. You can also share your existing Vodafone plan’s data. Vodafone eSIMs are supported on iPhone XS and above.

Telefónica Germany, which operates under the O2 brand, has offered eSIMs since 2018. Their O2 eSIM plans provide data-only plans starting at €4.99 for 100MB of data. You can also share data from your existing O2 mobile plan. O2 eSIMs are available on iPhone XS and above as well as select Android phones.

So in summary, all three major carriers in Germany offer eSIM plans on the latest iPhone and Android models. Their data-only plans start at around €5 per month for a few hundred MBs of data. Existing customers can also share their regular smartphone plan’s high-speed data allotment via eSIM.

eSIM Plans in France best eu esim

France has rapidly adopted eSIM technology, with all major carriers offering eSIM plans. This allows French residents and visitors to easily activate a local data plan through an eSIM without the need for a physical SIM card.

The main French carriers providing eSIM plans are:

• Orange – Orange has a good selection of both prepaid and postpaid eSIM plans. Their prepaid eSIM data packages start at 5 EUR for 1 GB valid for 7 days. Postpaid plans allow you to get unlimited data, calls and texts on a monthly contract.
• SFR – SFR prepaid eSIMs start at 9.99 EUR for 1 GB valid for 30 days. For heavy data usage, they have a 49.99 EUR monthly postpaid plan with 200 GB of data.
• Bouygues – Bouygues offers prepaid eSIMs with a 1 GB 7-day package for 4.99 EUR. Their postpaid plans include the 80 GB “Serie Speciale” monthly plan.
• Free Mobile – Free Mobile has a 19.99 EUR monthly postpaid eSIM plan that includes 150 GB of data and unlimited calls and texts. Their prepaid eSIM option provides 50GB over 30 days for 12.99 EUR.

All the major French network operators allow eSIM activation online or through their apps. So getting connected with a local French eSIM data plan is quick and convenient for both short-term visitors and residents.

eSIM Plans in Italy

Italy has rapidly adopted eSIM technology, with the major carriers offering eSIM plans. Here’s an overview of the major carrier options:

TIM best eu esim

TIM, Italy’s largest telecom provider, launched its TIM Rollover eSIM plan in 2020. The rollover data allows unused data to carry over to the next month. TIM eSIM plans come with 5G access. Data options range from 30GB to unlimited. TIM eSIMs can be purchased online or in stores.

Vodafone

Vodafone Italy introduced eSIM support in 2019. Vodafone offers a couple options for eSIMs. The main Vodafone plans like Shake Remix and Red offer eSIM. There’s also a Vodafone OneNumber eSIM specifically tailored for dual SIM needs. Vodafone eSIM plans include mobile data and unlimited calls/texts.

WINDTRE

WINDTRE has offered eSIM support since 2020. Their main smartphone plans like Smart Pack and Unlimited are available with eSIM. WINDTRE focuses on unlimited data plans. They also offer a flexible EVO Pay per Gig plan, which charges per GB used.

Iliad best eu esim

Italian low-cost carrier Iliad launched their eSIM service in 2021. Iliad eSIMs can be purchased online and activated instantly. Their standard fixed-price monthly plans (30GB to unlimited data) are available as eSIMs. Iliad doesn’t have contracts so eSIM plans are cancelable anytime.

Fastweb

Fastweb, primarily a home ISP, has expanded into mobile eSIM plans focused on unlimited data. Their eSIM plans come with unlimited calls, texts, and unlimited 4G/5G data. Fastweb eSIMs can be purchased online, and apps can be downloaded to provision the plans.

eSIM Plans in Spain

Spain has become one of the leading countries for eSIM adoption in Europe. The major carriers offer comprehensive eSIM plans that allow easy connectivity across Spain.

Movistar

Movistar, owned by Telefónica, is the largest telecom operator in Spain. For eSIMs, Movistar offers some flexible data plans:

• Movistar Mi País Unlimited Data – €45/month for unlimited data, minutes, and texts in Spain. Includes 8GB of roaming data in the EU.

• Movistar Prepago Smart Watch – €3/month for 200MB of data per month, focused on smartwatch connectivity.

• Movistar Viaje Suiza y Andorra – €7.95/week for 1GB data, 100 minutes, and 100 texts, designed for traveling to Switzerland and Andorra.

Vodafone

Vodafone Spain has an “eSIM Card” product that provides flexible data options:

• 1GB for 30 days – €9.95
• 3GB for 30 days – €19.95
• 5GB for 30 days – €29.95

Vodafone eSIM works on smartphones and smartwatches, with easy online signup and activation.

Orange

Orange, owned by Orange S.A., offers eSIM plans like:

• Go Up – €32.95/month for unlimited data, minutes and texts in Spain and 8GB roaming in the EU.

• Go Extreme – €52.95/month for unlimited everything, plus extras like higher speed roaming data.

Orange eSIM plans support iPhone, Android and smartwatches. Activation is done through their app.

Yoigo

Yoigo, owned by MásMóvil, has eSIM plans including:

• La del 0 5GB – €12/month for 5GB data.

• La de los Gigas – €25/month for unlimited national data.

• La Internacional – €25/month for 6GB in Spain and 1.5GB internationally.

Yoigo eSIMs can be purchased online and activated through their app.

Choosing the Best eSIM best eu esim

When selecting an eSIM plan, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Coverage – Make sure the provider offers coverage in all the areas and countries you plan to travel to. Some eSIMs offer worldwide coverage, while others are limited to certain regions.
• Data limits – If you plan to use lots of mobile data, choose an eSIM with a higher monthly data allowance or unlimited data. For light usage, a more basic plan with 1-5GB may suffice.
• Speed – eSIMs can use 4G LTE networks just like regular SIMs. However speed and performance vary between providers. Check reviews for real-world tests.
• Multi-network – Some eSIMs let you switch between networks or carriers for better coverage. This is useful when traveling between countries.
• Ease of use – A user-friendly app for managing your eSIM plan makes life easier. The eSIM activation and setup process varies too.
• Cost – eSIM pricing is similar to regular SIM cards. However some providers offer better value than others. Short-term plans are ideal for occasional travel.
• Customer support – Having responsive technical support can be important when issues arise abroad. Make sure the provider offers support channels that work for you.

For frequent travelers who want maximum flexibility and connectivity across Europe, we recommend looking into eSIMs from BNESIM, Airalo, Ubigi, Nomad, or KnowRoaming (more below). These providers offer competitive rates for short- and long-term data plans, excellent coverage throughout EU countries, and convenient apps for managing your eSIM anytime, anywhere. With a little research, you can find the perfect eSIM plan for your specific travel requirements.