Best SIM Card for Europe: Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs for Kiwis

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Travelling around Europe is a thrilling experience, often involving moving between several countries within a short period of time. What makes that easier is having phone data. While roaming with a New Zealand mobile provider is possible, it may not be the best option. Instead, many Kiwis choose to get a prepaid European SIM card or eSIM, which can provide more data and better value.

In this guide, we’ll look at the main SIM card options available for Europe, how to choose the best one for your trip, and compare several popular providers used by Kiwi travellers. We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

What SIM cards are available for Europe?

In Europe, you can get a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM. Exactly how the plans work and what they cost can vary between countries and providers, but there are a few commonalities.

Prepaid SIM cards

Prepaid SIM cards are physical SIM cards that you insert into your phone, usually purchased from a local network provider. They come with a set amount of data, calls, and texts for a fixed period of time, and once the plan expires, you can top up or purchase another package. Many European telecom companies offer prepaid plans designed for tourists, alongside their standard prepaid plans, which can generally be purchased as well.

eSIMs

An eSIM allows you to download a mobile phone plan directly onto your device using an app or QR code, meaning you can organise your mobile data before arriving in Europe, and without visiting a store. eSIMs are particularly convenient for travellers because you can switch between plans and keep your physical New Zealand SIM active, but be aware not all phones are eSIM compatible.

Roam Like at Home

If you’re travelling through multiple European countries, you’ll often benefit from a regulation called Roam Like at Home. This European Union rule allows mobile plans purchased in one EU country to be used across other EU countries, without additional roaming charges. Essentially, it means EU SIM cards can act as European regional travel SIMs.

Just be aware not all countries in Europe are part of this initiative. For example, Switzerland and the UK are outside the EU, so it’s up to the provider whether they’re included or not.

How to choose the best SIM card for Europe

When deciding which SIM or eSIM is the best for your European travel, consider these factors.

• Look for providers that offer coverage for the countries you’ll be travelling to
• Choose a plan with enough data to support your navigation, transport app, social media, translation, and messaging needs
• Determine if your phone is eSIM compatible
• Consider how long you will be in Europe
• Do you want access to calls and data, or just data
• For Unlimited Data plans, check if there is a fair usage speed cap

Best SIM cards for Europe: Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs

Before looking at each provider in more detail, here’s a comparison of the plans, validity and prices for six companies offering SIM cards and eSIMs in Europe.

You’ll notice there’s various currencies used to price the SIM cards and eSIMs, none of which are New Zealand dollars. When buying a travel SIM or eSIM for Europe, you can expect that the purchase will involve a currency conversion, and maybe some fees. As a result, it’s worth considering which card you use to pay.

Try to take advantage of something like Wise, where you get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees or margins.

Vodafone

A telecom provider that will likely seem familiar to you, Vodafone operates in multiple European countries, including Germany ⁹. Each country has its own plans and data, but as Germany is their biggest market, that’s the one we'll focus on.

Orange

Another provider you’ll see in multiple European countries, Orange has a major market share in France. Their plans include calls and texts within Europe, and opportunities to be able to use your allowance on the journey back to New Zealand too.⁸

Bouygues Telecom

Also based in France, Bouygues Telecom offers pre-paid plans that allow the entire data allowance to be used for European roaming.⁷ This is a great benefit if your trip is starting in France, but involves travel to multiple European countries.

O2

A major mobile provider in the United Kingdom, O2 also operates in parts of Europe. If your trip starts in the UK you can buy one of their prepaid plans and get EU roaming and calls included. ⁵

Holafly

Holafly is a travel eSIM provider that specialises in unlimited data plans, priced by the day. To buy one you’ll need to know the exact dates you want coverage for. Alternatively, they’ve also launched two monthly plans; Holafly Unlimited and Holafly Light.

Airalo

One of the most popular eSIM providers on the market, Airalo offers plans with local, regional and global coverage. For the European region, they offer Data Only plans with Standard or Unlimited Data.

Where to get a SIM card for Europe

You have a few choices of where to buy a SIM card for European travel from.

Pre-order before leaving New Zealand

Some companies, like SimCorner, allow you to order a physical SIM card online and have it delivered to your New Zealand address before departing. ¹⁰

Download an eSIM

eSIMs can be downloaded onto compatible phones either before leaving New Zealand or once you arrive in Europe; all you need is a Wi-Fi connection. Holafly and Airalo are two of the companies specialising in eSIMs, while many local providers, including Vodafone, Orange, O2 and Bouygues Telecom, offer them as well.

Buy a SIM card in Europe

You can also get a physical SIM card once you touch down in Europe, at an airport kiosk, supermarket, electronics store or carrier shop. Generally, it’s cheaper to buy in the city than at an airport, so take a look at which carriers are located in town.

Summary: Choosing the best SIM card for Europe

There are many SIM card and eSIM options available for Kiwi’s visiting Europe; the right choice depends on your travel plans, budget and phone compatibility.

Traditional telecom providers, such as Vodafone, Orange, O2 and Bouygues Telecom, offer SIM cards and eSIMs with calls, text and data, that work across multiple European countries thanks to Roam Like At Home. Meanwhile, travel eSIM providers, including Holafly and Airalo, allow you to solve the data conundrum before you even leave home.

Whichever option you choose, having reliable mobile data can make travelling through Europe much easier. While deciding which provider to use for your phone, it’s also always worth thinking about how you’ll pay for things during your trip.

Heading to Europe? Bring along the Wise card to save on foreign transaction fees

If you're heading to Europe from New Zealand, knowing how to manage your spending in foreign currencies is important to keep your travel costs low — especially if you're visiting multiple countries. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 8x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up NZD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in NZD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected New Zealand banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://payout-surge.live/nz/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. Airalo - Europe eSIM
2. Airalo - Europe + UK eSIM
3. Holafly - eSIM Europe
4. Holafly - International eSIM Data Plans
5. O2 - Pay As You Go SIMs
6. O2 - Roaming – Help and Support | O2
7. Bouygues Telecom - Nos offres Forfaits mobiles 5G
8. Orange - Forfaits Mobiles 4G/5G
9. Vodafone - CallYa
10. Simcorner - New Zealand Sim Card