Guide
Best eSIM for Europe in 2026: one plan for 34 countries, or a cheaper single-country plan?
If your trip crosses borders, a Europe eSIM is the easy answer. One plan works in 34 countries, from Portugal to Turkey, and you never touch your phone settings at a border. If you stay in one country, a single-country plan usually costs less. That is the whole decision, and the rest of this guide helps you make it with real numbers.
Which countries does the Europe plan cover?
Our Europe plan covers 34 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Three of those matter more than they look. Switzerland, the UK and Turkey sit outside the EU, so many European phone plans charge extra there. The Europe eSIM treats them like everywhere else.
The plan connects to a local network in each country, usually on 5G where the network offers it. In Italy, for example, that means TIM, Wind or Iliad. In Spain it is Movistar or Orange.
Europe plan or single-country plan?
Here is what you paid when we last updated this guide (October 2026). The live prices are at the end of this article.
| Data | Europe, 30 days | One country (Italy, Spain, France), 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| 3 GB | €5.99 | €4.49 |
| 5 GB | €8.79 | €6.45 |
| 10 GB | €12.79 | €11.79 |
| 50 GB | €68.49 | €23.99 |
For small and medium plans, the gap is a euro or two. At 10 GB it is one euro, which buys you 33 extra countries. If there is any chance you cross a border, take the Europe plan.
At 50 GB the picture flips. A single-country plan costs about a third of the Europe one. So if you are spending a month in one place and working from your phone, buy the country plan.
Turkey is the exception worth knowing. Our Turkey plan has 10 GB for €8.45, a lot less than the Europe plan, so buy it for a Turkey-only trip.
How much data do you need?
Most people overestimate. Maps, messages, social media and a few video calls use around 300 to 500 MB a day. Streaming video is what eats data: an hour of HD video is roughly 1 to 3 GB.
| Trip | Data that usually covers it |
|---|---|
| A long weekend, with Wi-Fi at the hotel | 1 to 3 GB |
| One week of normal use | 3 to 5 GB |
| Two weeks, or a week with lots of video | 10 GB |
| A month, or a laptop on your hotspot | 20 GB or more |
If you run low, you can top up the same eSIM in the app. Nothing new to install.
Can I use the Europe eSIM as a hotspot?
Yes. You can share the data with a laptop, tablet or a friend's phone through your phone's personal hotspot. Whatever they use comes out of your plan, so pick a bigger plan if you work on a laptop.
When does the plan start?
The days only start counting when the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country. So install it at home, on Wi-Fi, a few days before you fly. You have up to 175 days after buying to install it.
When you land, switch the eSIM on for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it. Your own SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Europe eSIM include calls and texts?
No, it is data only, with no phone number. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram and other apps work over the data, so you can still call and message.
Do I need the Europe plan if I have EU roaming at home?
If your home SIM is from an EU country, roaming inside the EU usually costs nothing extra. You still pay in Switzerland, the UK and Turkey on many plans, and fair-use limits apply. If your SIM is from outside the EU (Albania, North Macedonia, Turkey, the US and so on), EU roaming rules don't cover you, and an eSIM is much cheaper.
Does it work on my phone?
It works on phones that support eSIM and are not locked to one carrier. That includes iPhone XS and newer, and most recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. See the full list of compatible phones.