The 3 Best eSIMs for Europe: My Honest Comparison in 2026

I’ve been traveling around Europe for months now as part of a massive “Euro summer” trip, and I can tell you one thing: I have never been so happy to have an eSIM in my life!

There are countless eSIM providers out there, and they all have different packages for Europe. Since I’m traveling full-time, I’ve basically made it my mission to try as many as I can to figure out which ones actually work and which ones are just a headache.

Especially while I was travelling from Spain to France, Germany, and Italy, I needed my eSIM for literally everything. I’ve been using it to text my family, calling Ubers at 2 AM, booking last-minute train tickets, and using Google Translate when my “restaurant Spanish” wasn’t quite cutting it.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, I cannot recommend getting an eSIM enough. To make your life a little easier, I’ve put together a breakdown of the best eSIMs for Europe and my personal top pick for which one you should actually use.

The 3 Best eSIMs for Europe: My Honest Comparison in 2026

The Best eSIMs for Europe – My Quick Answer (What eSIM I Have Been Using)

I know some of you don’t like reading through a long comparison article, so for you, I’ll keep it straight to the point here. If you want a reliable, affordable, and super easy-to-set-up eSIM for your next trip to Europe, whether you’re visiting Spain, Italy, France, or all of them together, I definitely recommend Sim Local.

That’s the eSIM I use myself on pretty much most of my trips, and I’ve always been super happy with it!

Even though I’ve tried multiple eSIMs during my Europe trip, I ended up using Sim Local for the most part. They were just the most affordable and also super easy to set up within their app.

I also had a great connection with them, usually 4G or 5G literally everywhere! From the south of Spain, where I spent a lot of my time, to the Mediterranean islands and even up in Germany, I didn’t have a single issue during my entire trip.

On this specific trip, I used their “Orange Holiday Europe 100GB“ plan. It kept me connected in every single European country I visited. I had 100 GB for a whole month, and I didn’t even get close to using it all up, and that’s with me watching Instagram Reels and even Netflix shows!

I can highly recommend that plan if you’re planning on visiting more than just one country in Europe on your trip.

► After using Sim Local myself, I can honestly only tell you to sign up and it’ll make your life much easier! Check out their best plans and prices right here, and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA.

Do I Need an eSIM for Travelling Europe?

I can only speak for myself here, but my answer is a resounding yes. I absolutely need my eSIM in Europe, and I honestly use it on a daily basis.

For a start, I just like having the internet at my fingertips. It’s a lifesaver when I’m with my family and we decide to split up to explore different parts of a city, it makes it so easy to text and find each other again! But I also use it constantly to call Ubers, translate menus, and even book hotels or trains on the go.

I think what I use it for most, though, is navigation. I’m using Google Maps all day, every day to find my way around confusing European cities (Those alley ways sometimes turn into a maze!). It has always worked perfectly for me, even when I’m trying to figure out public transport Google Maps has always shown me accurate connections.

Of course, you could try to get by using only public Wi-Fi, but I just love the convenience of being constantly connected.

Also, as a digital nomad, I’m often working from my laptop. Being able to hotspot myself anywhere has been so helpful, especially when I’m on a 4-hour train from Valencia to Barcelona and the train Wi-Fi inevitably stops working!

I 100% need an eSIM for Travelling Europe and my go to has always been Sim Local, they just make the most sense for me. Sign up here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA

Who is an eSIM Best For When Travelling Europe?

Since I started using eSIMs a while ago, I’ve basically become an ambassador for them. Whenever anyone asks me, from my backpacker friends to my mom, what they should do before they travel, I always tell them the same thing: get an eSIM!

To be honest, it’s for almost anyone, from solo backpackers and digital nomads to families. It also doesn’t matter if you’re on a month-long trip or just away for the weekend; it’s almost always worth it.

For me, the shorter the trip, the more it makes sense. If I were staying in a country for six months, I’d probably look into a local physical SIM card, but for a trip of 3 days, a week, or even a month, I am 100% getting an eSIM. It just makes the most sense because plans with companies like Sim Local are so individual and easy to set up.

Staying connected is just useful in every situation. Whether you’re trying to catch the next train, still need to buy tickets on your phone, or are just navigating to the station, having data is a lifesaver. It’s a situation that every backpacker, solo traveler, and family will find themselves in, so really, anyone can benefit from it.

► Check Out Here: Sim Local Europe Plans & Pricing

1. Sim Local (This is the eSIM I am currently using myself!)

Data: 1GB up to Unlimited GB (Actual 10GB of High Speed Data per Day!)
Speed: 4G/5G
Plans: 7–90 days
Price range: $4-$150 (Depending on Plan and Duration)

Sim Local is the eSIM I have been using for the most time while in Europe, and it’s also the one I’d recommend to all of you. If you’re looking for a winner for this comparison, Sim Local is definitely it!

The process was so easy for me: I used their My Plan Tool which basically exactly told me what plan I would need for my upcoming trip, I then just downloaded their app, signed up for the plan I wanted (which was the 100 GB for 30 days plan that covers all European countries), installed the eSIM, and I was ready to go. There literally wasn’t anything that went wrong, it was all smooth sailing from the start.

I used my Sim Local eSIM from the south of Spain all the way through France and Germany. I pretty much always had a 5G connection, with the occasional 4G in some spots, but the connection was good almost all the time.

Because I had a large Europe trip planned, the multi-country plan was perfect for me. But if you’re only heading to one spot, like just Spain or just France, they also have country-specific plans that are even more affordable.

They also offer plans for less than 30 days, so if you’re only on a two-week vacation, you can definitely find a 15-day option that fits your trip perfectly!

► Get the Best eSIM for Europe right here with the Sim Local Multi Country Plan + Pricing and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA!

2. Airalo

Data: 1GB up to Unlimited GB (Multiple Plans Available)
Speed: 4G/5G
Plans: 3–180 days
Price range: $3.50-$180

Airalo was the eSIM I used right at the very start of my trip to Europe when I was in the south of Spain. I used it a ton while road-tripping from Málaga to Granada and then over to Sevilla, which was so much fun and went super smoothly.

One of the biggest things I use my eSIM for is definitely navigation and not just when I’m walking around cities, but especially when I’m doing road trips. I don’t even want to imagine what would happen if I didn’t have internet and got lost while driving around Spain! Luckily, I had Airalo, and it worked really well the whole time. I didn’t have a single connection issue while I was on the road.

However, there are two main reasons why I ultimately decided to stick with Sim Local instead of staying with Airalo for the long haul.

First, I just personally prefer the Sim Local app. It’s so easy to use and doesn’t have any unnecessary features; it’s just straight to the point. In my experience, the Airalo app felt a little more cluttered.

Second, from what I’ve seen, Airalo is just slightly more expensive. It’s still a really good option, but for me, it just doesn’t beat the value and simplicity of Sim Local.

3. Holafly

Data: 3GB up to Unlimited GB
Speed: 4G LTE/5G
Plans: 7–90 days
Price range: $4-$180

Holafly is the third eSIM I tried on my trip through Europe, specifically while I was in France and the north of Italy. I used it for the most part during some well-earned beach days at the French Riviera, and also while I was driving through the north of Italy.

With Holafly, I had a decent experience overall, but I did run into some connection problems. This was especially true while I was in Italy around the Italian Alps. To be fair, that could have just been due to the massive mountain ranges blocking the signal, so I’m not 100% sure if it was the eSIM itself or just the location!

I’ve used Holafly before on different trips and I know they can be a great option, but on this specific Europe trip, I didn’t have the best experience myself because of those cut-outs.

However, I will say their app is fantastic and their prices are also pretty decent. If my connection issues were just due to being in a challenging location like the Alps, then I’d say Holafly is still a great option to look into for an eSIM for Europe.

► Make Sure to Check Out Sim Local for My Favorite eSIM for Europe and use my Discount Code GIRLONAZEBRA!!!

My Tips for Travelling Europe with an eSIM

Check if Your Phone Is eSIM Compatible Before Your Trip

I know most of us probably have newer iPhones, I have an iPhone 12 myself, but Carae has the iPhone 17, so for us, eSIMs aren’t an issue at all.

However, if you are using an older model, there is a chance it might not support eSIM technology. Your phone needs specific compatible hardware for it to work. While most modern phones have it, some older models don’t, so please, please check this before you sign up for a plan!

My Tip: Sim Local has a tool on their website that lets you check if your phone is compatible.

Install and Activate Your eSIM Before Landing in Europe

I always do this: I activate and install my eSIM before I actually arrive. I did the same before my trip to Europe, which meant I was literally connected the second I landed.

I’ve been in situations before where I arrived at an airport and the public Wi-Fi was down, which meant I couldn’t activate my SIM because I needed a connection to do it! I’d much rather be safe than sorry, so I do it ahead of time to make sure I can call an Uber or a taxi the moment I walk off the plane.

Understand the Difference Between Data-Only and Calls/Texts

Many eSIMs out there only provide you with data and not traditional calls or texts, but this often depends on the specific plan and provider.

Personally, I’m okay with just having data. However, on the recent plan I used all across Europe (the 100GB Orange Multi Country Europe plan), I also had a phone number and texts included, which was honestly such a lifesaver. It made contacting hotels so much quicker, and I could even get authentication texts from my banking app, which genuinely made so many things easier.

If You Visit Multiple Countries in Europe, Choose a Plan That Covers Them

I knew long before I arrived in Europe that I’d be visiting multiple countries, at least Spain, France, and Germany. Because of that, I knew I had to choose a multi-country plan for all of Europe.

It made everything so easy because I could literally just cross borders without having to change anything or reactivate a SIM. It was all completely smooth sailing between countries!

FAQs About The Best Europe eSIMs

Where can I buy an eSIM for Europe?

The easiest way to get an eSIM is straight through the provider’s app. I personally downloaded the Sim Local app, and within the app, I was able to select my plan, pay for it, and install the SIM to my phone right then and there. It was incredibly simple. Also on top of that, Sim Local has shops at some of the big airports like Barcelona, Madrid or London where you can also get an eSIM!

Can I use eSIMs in multiple countries in Europe?

Technically yes, you can, but it depends on what plan you buy. On my recent trip through Europe, I was using the multi-country Europe plan from Sim Local, and with that, I was literally connected in all European countries super easily. It’s definitely the way to go if you’re hopping across borders!

Are eSIMs for Europe expensive?

Not at all! I think for my 30-day plan, which allowed me to have internet literally all over Europe, I only paid around $50 USD. When you consider how much it helps you out during a full month of travel, I think that is pretty cheap.

Do I need an esim for Spain?

I’d say yes, you do. Maybe you don’t need one if you decide to go on a resort vacation where you won’t be exploring much, but I’m big into city trips! I’m always exploring on foot, doing day trips, and so on, so I always need to be connected to navigate my way around.

Do I need an eSIM for France?

I needed an eSIM a lot for my time in France. I rented a car in Marseille, and literally every single day I would drive to different wineries and villages along the French Riviera. Being able to pop my next address into Google Maps and navigate while driving through France was a total lifesaver!

Final Thoughts on The Best eSIM for Europe

All in all, I am without a doubt Team eSIM in Europe. I just think it’s almost silly not to have one because being connected and having internet on my phone just makes everything easier.

There have been so many situations where using Sim Local made my trip more convenient, whether I was using Google Maps driving around France or Spain, making restaurant reservations, or even booking train tickets on the go. The list is literally endless! I’d much rather pay a little bit of money for the peace of mind that comes with being connected than spend my day hunting for Wi-Fi.

I hope this little guide helped you get an idea of the different eSIM providers and which one you should pick for your own adventure. Happy travels!