Comparisons
SIM card for Europe: what you need depending on where you're from
With a line from an EU country you need nothing inside the Union. Coming from outside, it changes. The real options and their small print.
Tomás Berruezo 6 min Photo by Oskar Kadaksoo on Unsplash There are two different questions hidden in this search, and they are worth separating because the answers are nothing alike: the one from someone who lives in an EU country and is going to travel around Europe, and the one from someone coming from outside to cross several European countries.
If your line is from an EU country
You do not need a new card. Inside the European Union and the European Economic Area your gigabytes travel with you on your own tariff, by regulation. If your line is from the United Kingdom, that guarantee ended with Brexit and several operators brought the charges back, so it is worth checking yours.
The only thing worth checking otherwise is how many gigabytes you have a month, because you use more when travelling, and whether your tariff has a roaming data cap, which the larger tariffs usually do.
If you are coming from outside Europe
Here you do need something, and there are three routes: a local card from the first country, a European regional card, or a regional eSIM. The practical difference is how many countries each one covers.
| Option | What to check |
|---|---|
| Local SIM from the first country | It usually works across the rest of the Union with its own roaming |
| European regional SIM | Check the list of countries covered |
| Regional eSIM | The same, and with nothing to change in the phone |
The countries that fall off the list
It is the most common mistake on a European route: assuming the whole continent is the same thing. Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Turkey and the western Balkans are not in the Union, so they are in some plans and not others, and with an EU line they are not included by regulation either.
The case that confuses people most, with its border traps, is in roaming in Switzerland.
What to check before buying a regional plan
- The exact list of countries, not just the word Europe.
- The days of validity, which run from the moment the plan starts.
- Whether it can be topped up, useful on long routes.
- Whether it includes a number, which in Europe is rarely needed but can come in handy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a SIM card to travel around Europe?
If your line is from an EU country, no: roaming is included inside the European Union and the European Economic Area. Coming from outside Europe, a local or regional option is worth having.
Does a SIM from one European country work in the others?
Inside the Union yes, with its own roaming included. Outside the Union it depends on the plan.
Which countries are not included?
Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Turkey and the western Balkans are not part of the Union, so they have to be checked plan by plan.
How many gigabytes do I need for a month around Europe?
Between 10 and 20 GB with normal use, more if you work along the way or share your connection.
Does it work on a cruise?
Not out at sea. Ships use satellite networks that belong to no country and are billed separately.
