Local SIM Card Guides for Europe (2026)
42 country guides with local carrier comparisons, pricing, and where to buy. Average tourist plan: $12.
- Countries
- 42
- Cheapest Plan
- $3Georgia
- Avg. Tourist Plan
- $12
- Full Guides
- 42
HelloRoam eSIM (8.8/10, 31/31 activations) is the best-priced eSIM for Europe: one plan covers 40+ countries including all 27 EU member states from $5/GB, instant activation, best app UX. For local SIMs, one EU SIM roams free across all 27 member states.
EU roaming rules let a single SIM purchased in any of the 27 EU member states work across all member countries at domestic rates. A French Orange SIM, a German Telekom card, or a Dutch KPN prepaid all roam freely within the EU zone. Outside the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey sell their own prepaid cards with no cross-border roaming. Plans start around $8 to $12 in most Western European countries, with Eastern European markets like Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland offering better value at $4 to $7 for a week of data.
Best Value Countries in Europe
Ranked by average tourist plan cost. Plans under $10 represent exceptional value.
Highest SIM Score in Europe
SIM Score rates ease of purchase, value, coverage, and convenience out of 100.
Registration Requirements in Europe
Every country listed below requires passport or ID at the point of SIM purchase unless marked No.
| Country | Passport Required | Registration Required | Best Buy Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 France | No | No | |
 Italy | Yes | Yes | |
 Spain | Yes | Yes | |
 Germany | Yes | Yes | |
 United Kingdom | No | No | |
 Portugal | Yes | Yes | |
 Greece | Yes | Yes | |
 Turkey | Yes | Yes | |
 Netherlands | No | No | |
 Belgium | No | No | |
 Switzerland | No | No | |
 Austria | No | No | |
 Poland | No | No | |
 Czech Republic | No | No | |
 Hungary | No | No | |
 Croatia | No | No | |
 Ireland | No | No | |
 Sweden | No | No | |
 Norway | No | No | |
 Denmark | No | No | |
 Finland | No | No | |
 Romania | No | No | |
 Bulgaria | No | No | |
 Cyprus | No | No | |
 Iceland | No | No | |
 Russia | Yes | Yes | |
 Georgia | No | No | |
 Monaco | No | No | |
 Liechtenstein | No | No | |
 Andorra | No | No | |
 San Marino | No | No | |
 Faroe Islands | No | No | |
 Gibraltar | No | No | |
 Montenegro | No | Yes | |
 North Macedonia | No | Yes | |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | No | Yes | |
 Albania | Yes | Yes | |
 Kosovo | Yes | Yes | |
 Belarus | Yes | Yes | |
 Moldova | No | Yes | |
 Malta | No | No | |
 Luxembourg | No | No |
Top eSIM Plans for Europe
Activate before you land. No airport queue, no physical card required.
HelloRoam
3 GB / 7 days
Airalo
1 GB / 30 days (EU)
Saily
1 GB / 7 days
See all eSIM providers in our full comparison.
All Europe SIM Card Guides
Each guide covers local carriers, plan prices, where to buy, and registration rules.
Francefrom $1.4Italyfrom $1.14Spainfrom $1.14Germanyfrom $1.14United Kingdomfrom $1.14Portugalfrom $1.14Greecefrom $1.14Turkeyfrom $0.92Netherlandsfrom $1.24Belgiumfrom $1.14Switzerlandfrom $1.14Austriafrom $1.14Polandfrom $1.14Czech Republicfrom $1.14Hungaryfrom $1.14Croatiafrom $1.14Irelandfrom $1.14Swedenfrom $1.14Norwayfrom $1.14Denmarkfrom $1.14Finlandfrom $1.14Romaniafrom $1.14Bulgariafrom $1.14Cyprusfrom $1.14Icelandfrom $1.14Russiafrom $2.38Georgiafrom $1.72Monacofrom $33.62Liechtensteinfrom $1.14Andorrafrom $4.2San Marinofrom $7Faroe Islandsfrom $1.96Gibraltarfrom $5.8Montenegrofrom $1.9North Macedoniafrom $2.32Bosnia and Herzegovinafrom $3.08Albaniafrom $1.78Kosovofrom $8Belarusfrom $4Moldovafrom $1.14Maltafrom $1.2Luxembourgfrom $1.14Frequently Asked Questions: SIM Cards in Europe
Does one SIM card work across all of Europe?
A SIM bought in any EU member state roams free across all 27 EU countries at domestic rates under EU roaming regulations. This covers France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and 22 more countries. The UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey are outside the EU and require separate SIMs or paid roaming.
Which country has the cheapest SIM card in Europe?
Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland offer the cheapest SIM cards in Europe. Romanian carriers Digi Mobil and Orange Romania sell 10 GB plans for under €5. Because EU roaming rules apply, a Romanian SIM works in France, Germany, or Spain at the same domestic rate.
Can I buy a SIM card on arrival at European airports?
Most major European airports have carrier shops or vending machines in the arrivals hall. Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Paris CDG, London Heathrow, and Madrid Barajas all have staffed carrier counters. Smaller regional airports may not have dedicated SIM counters, so buying online before travel is a safe backup.
Do I need to register my SIM card in Europe?
Yes, most European countries require SIM registration with a valid ID or passport. EU data protection rules mean carriers store registration data for identity verification. The process is usually quick (under 5 minutes) at any carrier store or airport counter.
Is 5G available on tourist SIM cards in Europe?
Yes. Deutsche Telekom in Germany, Orange in France, Vodafone UK, and Telefonica in Spain all offer prepaid plans with 5G access. 5G coverage is strongest in city centers and along major transport corridors. Rural areas still rely primarily on 4G LTE.