Best eSIM for Europe: My Top Picks (2025)

Traveling in Europe used to mean juggling dozens of local SIM cards – until eSIMs came along. Here’s my top picks on the best eSIM for Europe:

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With an eSIM, you can carry one easy plan that works everywhere. An eSIM (embedded SIM) is like a universal travel SIM card in your phone, so you never have to swap physical SIMs or hunt for Wi-Fi. I recently spent several weeks roaming Europe with Maya Mobile’s eSIM, and it was a total game-changer. In this guide I’ll explain why I think Maya Mobile is the best eSIM for Europe (with a shout-out to Airalo too), how to pick the right plan, and what to expect on the road.

Why eSIMs are amazing for Europe: imagine never having to buy a new SIM in Rome or Barcelona – just download your data plan at home or on the plane, flip a switch, and go. eSIM adoption is exploding – industry data shows over 500 million eSIM profile shipments in 2024, a 35% jump year-over-year [trustedconnectivityalliance.org.] New phones from Apple, Samsung, Google and more all support eSIM now, so it’s only getting easier. The main thing to watch is coverage (how many countries the plan works in) and data amount. With an eSIM, you get the same 4G/5G internet you’d expect on a local phone plan – and usually faster activation.

If you’re wondering what the best eSIM for Europe is for your travel style — from light data users to full-time nomads — this guide breaks it down. Having an eSIM means:

No more SIM juggling: One eSIM works like a local SIM in every covered country – think of it as a global travel card.
Keep your number: Your regular phone number stays active on your primary SIM slot (calls still ring there), while the eSIM handles data. You can use WhatsApp/VoIP to call home.
Hotspot-friendly: Many eSIM plans (like Maya’s) let you tether or share your phone’s internet, which is great for working on the go or if you’re traveling with friends.
Fast setup: You typically scan a QR code and you’re online. No fumbling with tiny SIM cards in an airplane seat!

Choosing the right plan mostly depends on trip length and data needs. Backpackers often need only a few GB, while digital nomads or long stints would probably want bigger plans. Maya Mobile stands out for flexibility: it offers both one-time “prepaid” packages and daily “unlimited” plans. For example, Maya’s Europe eSIM starts around $5.99 for 1 GB (about 7 days), and they even have unlimited daily plans (~$2.79/day) for heavy users. By comparison, Airalo’s 1 GB European eSIM costs $5 for 7 days, 5 GB is $20 for 30 days, and 100 GB is $185 for 180 days [techradar.com.] In practice, a blogger who compared prices found that Maya’s plans are much cheaper – roughly $15.99 for 10 GB vs. Airalo’s $22.50 for the same amount [myvegantravels.com.]

Why Maya Mobile is My Top Pick For The Best eSIM For Europe

I’ve tested Maya Mobile on trips all across Europe, from Norway to Greece, Austria and more, and I love how affordable and easy it is. Maya’s Europe eSIM covers 35 countries (basically all EU and some neighbours) on blazing-fast networks, and it automatically picks the best carrier in each country. As one reviewer put it, Maya “connects you to the best networks in Europe, not the cheapest” – which means smoother data and fewer dropped signals.

Some highlights of Maya Mobile:

Flexible data plans: Maya offers small data packs (1–40 GB, valid up to 180 days) and unlimited daily plans. You choose your duration (5–180 days) when checking out. I got a 10 GB plan valid for 30 days for about $26 (just as an example). This is great if you need to stretch data over months
Unlimited options: Need Netflix and Zoom on the road? Maya’s daily unlimited plans (about $2.79/day) mean you’re never watching a loading spinner. The data “refreshes” each day so you always get full speed.
Wi-Fi hotspot included: Unlike some eSIMs, Maya lets you share your connection. This was clutch if a friend’s phone has no eSIM – they can hop onto your hotspot seamlessly.
Transparent pricing: What you see is what you pay – taxes and fees are included. No surprise charges. And keep an eye out, with Maya, their site always highlights deals and promos. For me, simple pricing and reliable coverage are what makes it (in my opinion) the best eSIM for Europe if you’re planning a multi-country trip.
Quick activation: Within minutes of purchase, I got an email with a QR code. I scanned it, and boom – as soon as I flew into Europe (while on airplane mode) my phone had data [community.ricksteves.com.] (Pro tip: some people install before takeoff and activate on landing.)
24/7 support & money-back guarantee: Maya touts 24/7 customer service and a 180-day refund window if it won’t install or you change plans. I didn’t need either, but it’s reassuring.
Great 5G speeds: In cities I saw up to 100 Mbps down on Maya. Streaming and maps were buttery smooth.

“Maya Mobile offers some of the most affordable data plans, and you can use your data for up to 180 days… They also offer unlimited plans, priced by day, for up to 180 days.” [myvegantravels.com] – just like the travel blogger above, I find Maya’s mix of pricing and durations perfect for wanderers who may need data on and off for months.

To test Maya Mobile yourself, visit Maya Mobile’s website for current deals:

Click here for Maya Mobile’s current Europe deals!

Airalo – A Strong Budget Alternative

Airalo is another fan-favorite in the travel community. It works in 42 European countries and has a slick app interface. I’ve had friends and family use Airalo too – it’s basically plug-and-play and often slightly cheaper per GB for short trips. For example, Airalo sells 1 GB for $5 (7 days) and 5 GB for $20 (30 days) [techradar.com.] The downside? Airalo plans are data-only. There’s no local number or SMS, so you’ll rely on WhatsApp/Skype for voice calls or texts (which is fine if you mostly need data). It also doesn’t let you tether to other devices.

That said, Airalo has a great loyalty program (you earn credits for future trips), and you can get discounts the more you use it. You can also get discounts for referring people to them. Since it’s been around a while, their coverage is rock solid. One traveler noted “I found the internet speeds to be decent,” though sometimes you need to tinker when landing and activating [myvegantravels.com.] Also, if you need pure data and nothing else, their packages fit most budgets. TechRadar calls Airalo “cost-effective” and an overall best pick for Europe travellers.

In short: Airalo is a good backup. I’d say choose Maya if you plan on multi-country trips, heavy usage or need hotspot. If you only need a small data top-up and want the lowest price, Airalo works. (Remember, Maya often undercuts Airalo on larger plans – like the earlier comparison that showed Maya’s 10 GB cost at about $15.99 vs Airalo’s $22.50)

If Maya isn’t right for you, Airalo is still a solid alternative when looking for the best eSIM for Europe on a tight budget. You can also check out Airalo’s plans here to compare:

Click here for Airlo’s current Europe deals!

Other eSIM Options

While Maya Mobile is my personal favourite, there are other providers that might suit your needs when researching the best eSIM for Europe in 2025:

Ubigi: Great for tethering (sharing data freely) and very low-cost mini plans (500 MB for 2 days at $2). A good pick if you’re mostly pairing with a laptop or tablet.
Saily: Backed by the NordVPN team, Saily has global coverage and built-in VPN/ad blocker. It’s known for easy setup and security features. They start at $4.99 for 1 GB/7-day in Europe.)
Holafly: If unlimited data is a must (especially for long trips), Holafly offers EU plans with unlimited data for set durations (7–90 days) It’s pricey per day (e.g. ~$6/day), but you won’t run out of data.
Local Telecom eSIMs: Brands like Orange Holiday Europe and Bouygues (French carriers) sell prepaid eSIMs with phone numbers and fixed data. They cover all EU countries, but their plans are pretty rigid (e.g. 30 GB for €29.90) and often need you to install on arrival. These are great if you want included calls/SMS, but less flexible than Maya/Airalo.

I mention these just for context. On my trips I always used Maya Mobile, but it’s good to know your options, especially if your needs are very specific (like cruises, which other eSIMs target).

How to Install and Use Your eSIM

Installing an eSIM is usually quick:

Check compatibility: Make sure your phone supports eSIM (most recent iPhones and Google Pixels do, plus many newer Android phones).
Buy your plan: I went to Maya’s site, picked Europe eSIM, chose data (e.g. 10 GB for 30 days), and paid in USD.
Get the QR code: Maya emailed me a QR code and instructions right away. (No shipping needed, it’s all digital.)
Scan and activate: On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code. On Android it’s usually under Network & Internet > SIMs. You can often install it even before your trip.
Enable roaming: When you land, turn on airplane mode, then enable the Maya eSIM and turn off your main SIM or simply enable roaming on Maya (depending on phone). Give it a minute to register on a local network.
Go online: Once it shows connected, you have data – test it with Google Maps or Speedtest. From here on, the Maya eSIM works exactly like having a local SIM.

In practice it took me under 5 minutes. One traveler on the Rick Steves forum described basically the same: activate Airalo (Maya works the same way) while in flight, then land and you’re instantly connected No special tech skills needed – if you can scan a QR code, you’re set.

A quick tip: If you still have your home SIM active (dual SIM phones), you can keep getting calls/texts on it. Or just leave it off and rely on Wi-Fi calling. I usually disable my Canadian SIM to avoid accidental roaming charges and just use WhatsApp/FaceTime for calls when needed.

Why I Love Maya Mobile (and Think You Will Too)

To sum up: Maya Mobile was like having a universal SIM card for Europe that I managed right from my phone. It felt like giving my phone an extra “superpower” – I traveled in 6 countries at the start of this year and never swapped a single SIM card (or eSIM even!) or looked up Wi-Fi cafes. The connectivity was as reliable as my home plan (often using two carriers per country behind the scenes), and the price was hard to beat.

In fact, one travel blogger noted that “Maya Mobile provides flexible and affordable global connectivity” [aff.ninja] – and that jibes with my experience. I never felt stranded for data or ripped off. Whether you’re backpacking or on a trip across Europe with friends, having an eSIM like Maya’s felt like having a trusty local data plan in my pocket.

If I could give one piece of advice: Plan ahead. Buy your Maya Mobile eSIM before you fly. (I bought mine a few days before I left). It’s instant and painless. Then enjoy Europe like a local, Google-mapping your way through cobblestone streets without roaming jitter

Ready to try it? Check out Maya Mobile’s Europe eSIM plans here and get connected for your trip.

FAQ

Do I really need an eSIM in Europe? Not needed, but hugely convenient. Europe has great cell coverage, and an eSIM means you tap into it for cheaper data than roaming. If you want Instagram, Google Maps, or streaming on the go, an eSIM beats relying on random Wi-Fi.
Can I keep my regular phone number? Yes – installing a Maya eSIM does not replace your existing SIM. You get a secondary data-only line. Your old number stays active for calls/texts on your main SIM (unless you disable it).
Does Maya Mobile include voice/SMS? No, Maya eSIM plans are data-only. If you need to call home, use apps like WhatsApp, Skype or Zoom. (This is standard for eSIM data plans; only big carrier packages like Orange/Bouygues include local numbers)
Which eSIM is best for short trips? For short trips (<1 week), smaller data packs are fine. Maya’s pay-as-you-go 1–5 GB plans work well. Airalo is also good for small quick deals. If you only need, say, 1 GB for a weekend, you can get it for ~$5 with either.
How much data will I actually need? Light users (email, maps, light browsing) might use ~1–3 GB/week. Streaming video/podcasts eats ~5–10 GB/week. If in doubt, err higher or pick an unlimited daily plan. Remember Maya lets you top-up mid-trip if needed.
Can I use the eSIM’s hotspot? Yes! Maya specifically includes Wi-Fi hotspot/tethering on applicable plans, so you can share with your laptop or friends. Just enable “mobile hotspot” in your phone settings once you’re connected.
What if the eSIM doesn’t work? Maya offers a 100% money-back guarantee if it won’t install on your phone. With my experience I never needed it, but it’s there. Also, their support team is available around the clock (You can even send a test email with a dumb question at 3am and get a helpful reply!).
Maya vs a local SIM at my destination? A local SIM might sometimes be slightly cheaper, but it’s a hassle: you have to find the right SIM (and the store might not speak English), swap SIMs (losing your number), and the coverage might be limited to that one country or a region. With Maya, it’s one account, one plan, and it just works across borders. Think of it as the ultimate “all-in-one” travel SIM solution.
Q: What is the best eSIM for Europe in 2025?
A: Based on personal use and plan comparisons, Maya Mobile is the best eSIM for Europe in 2025. It offers great coverage, affordable pricing, and flexible data packages that work in 35+ countries.

Overall, as a young traveller hopping between countries, Maya Mobile’s Europe eSIM was like having an instant travel companion – always on, always ready, and way easier than swapping tiny cards in a café. Safe travels and happy data streaming!