Having the right SIM card can save you a lot of hassle and money, in Europe more than other continents. With so many countries with independent carriers, it gets hard to choose even if you’re a resident, let alone visiting Europe for a time. Travelers are forced to buy a local SIM card to avoid roaming but it could end up costing them more if they go in unprepared. Luckily, there’s no reason for them to be. We’ve prepared a list of top prepaid SIM and pay-as-you-go SIM payment plans, then sorted them to make a concise list of the best SIM cards for Europe.
1. Three
Three is a UK-based carrier whose SIM cards are all 5G-ready. Even better, the carrier offers a 5G coverage in a large portion of the UK. As for data plans, they’re best known for their £35 unlimited data SIM Europe pay-as-you-go SIM with unlimited minutes and texts. For a shorter stay, users can pick a monthly £10 data pack with unlimited texts and minutes and 6 GB of data. You can then add 6 GB (£10), 20 GB (£15), or 50 GB (£20) of data. Furthermore, unlimited calls/texts remain even if your data runs out. Also, Three can deliver your SIM card to an airport, hotel, or Airbnb.
2. Giffgaff
Giffgaff is another network provider based in the United Kingdom whose SIM cards have great roaming plans. Besides the growing 5G coverage on all plans, the carrier also has offers 1 GB of free data monthly on all prepaid plans. The top-tier plan includes unlimited calls, data, and text in the UK for only £35 without a contract, as well as 20 GB in roaming within Europe. But what if you don’t need a lot of data, but want to avoid paying per-MB rates? Their £10 no-contract monthly plan with unmetered texts and calls and 9 GB of data is the go-to.
3. O2
O2 is another UK-based network provider with 5G across most of the country, and 4G/LTE coverage throughout Europe. It could’ve been the best carrier SIM card in Europe if it wasn’t for the fact that their £30 plan gets you 100 GB of data, while the ones above provide unlimited. Luckily, you get infinite SMS, MMS, and calls, and the unused data can be “rolled over” to the next month. The cheaper plans have a better monetary value, especially their £15 pay-as-you-go plan that gives the same benefits, but 15 GB of data.
4. EE
Like Three and Giffgaff, EE has an extensive 5G network coverage in the UK and seeks to become the best mobile network in Europe with 4G coverage. Their prepaid data plans are all month-to-month, come with unlimited calls and SMS/MMS, and support unused data transfer into the next month. Paying £30 nets you 60GB of mobile data with unlimited minutes and texts. If you’re not an Internet user, their £15 has the best value-for-money, with 8GB of data. Also, topping up your SIM card for more than 3 months awards you 500MB monthly for free from then on.
5. Orange
The Orange Holiday Europe data plan is by far the best European SIM card for travelers. For $49.90, you can write off roaming, since the SIM card covers 30 European Union countries. Users get 20 GB of data in 4G/LTE, unlimited SMS, and calls within Europe. Furthermore, users can enjoy 2 hours of calls and 1000 SMS globally for 14 days. Activation is automatic, after the first call, text, or data spent, plus you can top up online with any international credit card. Orange Customer Support is held in high regard, and you can schedule the SIM card delivery.
6. Vodafone
Vodafone operates in 21 countries, partners in 49 countries, has Internet service in 74 countries, and supports roaming in 168 countries. So, you can use a Vodafone Europe SIM card anywhere you wish. Expect to pay a no-contract fee of £10 for 5 GB of data and infinite texts and calls monthly for 4G. The first 5G-ready bundle costs £30, gives you 50 GB of mobile data, and unlimited minutes and text messages. The top-tier plan will make a £40 dent in your wallet, but besides old benefits, give you unlimited 5G data and a 25 GB roaming limit in 51 destinations.
7. OneSimCard
OneSimCard is the best international SIM card provider that’s equally efficient in Europe. The carrier has network coverage in 200+ and offers free incoming calls in 160+ countries, plus free incoming texts worldwide. The OneSimCard Europe & More GSM SIM card has all of those benefits and costs $19.99. It also comes with free voice mail service delivery to e-mail, and rates of 25 cents/minute outgoing calls, 2 cents/MB Internet, and affordable add-ons. OneSimCard also has 24/7 Customer Service and charges $4.99 to ship the card internationally.
8. Cellhire
Cellhire works similarly to OneSimCard plus it partners with network providers in 180+ countries worldwide. In other words, they can rent SIM cards from other carriers to you starting at $1.99 a day. Additionally, you can rent devices such as tablets, smartphones, and mobile routers. This can save you money since you’ll avoid roaming. Plus, there’s no need to get carrier bundles if you use a SIM card in Europe for less than a month. If you plan to stay longer, Cellhire sells custom “throwaway” SIM cards with data bundles and 4G coverage for 35+ European countries.
9. Mobal
Mobal Europe Plus package would be the top SIM card for Europe if it wasn’t for the price. For example, they cover the whole European Union plus some and enforce no contracts. Plus, they offer equally low-cost calls to Canada and the USA as in Europe, of 30 cents per minute. However, the SIM card is limited to 4G, only comes with 7 GB of data, and costs $59 monthly. Expanding its limit is also a bit over the top – $10 for 1 GB afterward. However, you get free incoming calls and texts and will have to pay 30 cents per text message.
10. Keepgo
Once again, the price prevents Keepgo from being the best European SIM card. Once purchased for $49, the Keepgo SIM card works for a lifetime. Users only have to top it up with a minimally $9 once a year. You also get 1 GB of data for free, and first-time users get a 2 GB data coupon. The card supports 4G across 100+ countries worldwide and automatic or manual refills. Keepgo also offers 24/7 Customer Service via e-mail and webchat, free shipping to 40+ countries, mostly in Europe, and comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.