9 minute read

Best eSIM for Europe in 2025: Pricing, coverage, and speed

By Team aloSIM

Team aloSIM

best-eSIM-for-Europe-in-2025

If you’re heading to Europe, a reliable eSIM is an absolute must-have. You want something that’s easy to set up, won’t cost a fortune, and keeps you connected without those frustrating high roaming charges.

After all, nobody wants to deal with complicated setups while they’re on the go, do they?

Let’s dive in and find the best eSIM for Europe in 2025. 

Best eSIM for Europe in 2025: What’s the deal?

We decided to put a range of eSIM providers to the test across multiple countries in 2025, to find the one that stands out from the rest. We focused on flexibility, value, and performance.

And let’s not forget, we also kept a close eye on plan affordability for both casual and heavy data users. If you are planning a trip to Europe, stick around, we will tell you about the best eSIM providers below.

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Why use an eSIM for Europe travel in 2025?

First off, let’s explain what an eSIM is. 

An eSIM is basically a digital SIM card that’s already built right into your device. This means you can switch carriers or add data plans without ever needing to handle a physical card.

In 2025, not having an eSIM while you are travelling abroad can easily drain your pockets!

To put things into perspective for your Europe trip, an eSIM can help you completely eliminate those expensive roaming fees from your home provider and keep you connected throughout your journey.

How we tested the best eSIM for Europe in 2025

We tested several top eSIM providers extensively throughout 2025, including aloSIM, Airalo, Saily, Jetpac, Holafly, and Nomad. We activated various plans in countries, such as Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the UK to see how they perform. 

Additionally, pricing was compared based on cost per GB and how long the validity lasts, while coverage was checked through signal strength and the partner networks, such as Vodafone, Orange, and others that these providers use. These partners help ensure strong connections across Europe, but we noted differences in how well each eSIM handled switches between networks.

This is our fair eSIM ranking: 

  1. aloSIM: aloSIM Europe tops the list due to the convenience of a free international phone number being included, consistent speeds, affordable pricing, and great coverage in 35 countries without major issues.
  2. Airalo: Second for its broad 42-country reach and user-friendly app, although it sometimes throttles on unlimited plans.
  3. Saily: Third place with strong security features and quick setup, but it has occasional brief drops.
  4. Jetpac: Fourth as a budget champ with super low starting prices, yet it lacks some extras like built-in calling.
  5. Holafly: Fifth for its true unlimited data appeal, but higher costs and potential privacy concerns hold it back.
  6. Nomad: Sixth overall, solid for basic needs but falls short in speed consistency compared to leaders.

The best Europe eSIM pricing: Provided by aloSIM

Without a doubt, aloSIM is the best provider, with its lineup of European eSIM plans, and the costs are tailored for all kinds of flexibility. Whether you’re a light user or someone who streams a lot, there’s a plan for you.

Here’s a comparison table of their key offerings, focusing on cost per GB, validity, and key features:

Plan TypeData AmountValidityPrice (USD)Cost per GBKey Features
Basic1 GB7 days$5.00$5.00LTE/5G, top-up available, hotspot yes
Standard3 GB30 days$12.50$4.17Free phone number, 35-country coverage
Mid-Range5 GB30 days$19.50$3.90Unthrottled speeds, easy top-ups
High-Data10 GB30 days$36.00$3.60Fully unthrottled, hotspot sharing
UnlimitedNo limit15 days$42.00N/AUnlimited data, hotspot sharing

All plans come with data top-ups, no ID requirements, and the ability to add more data anytime. This makes it simple to extend your plan without starting over.

Affordable Europe eSIM plans for travellers provided to you by aloSIM

If you’re just looking for basic connectivity on your trip, aloSIM offers budget-friendly plans that are perfect for light travellers. Take their 1GB plan for just $5 over 7 days – it’s ideal for quick emails, checking maps, or scrolling social media.

Heading to Rome for a weekend getaway? This plan could be exactly what you need! Plus, with easy top-ups, you can add more data if you’re running low without paying for extra you won’t use.

These plans also support hotspot sharing, so you can let a travel buddy use your connection. Just keep an eye on your usage through the app to stay within your limits. If you’re traveling longer, it might be worth upgrading to avoid having to top-up often.

Premium data plans for heavy users (including Europe unlimited data)

For those who need more data, aloSIM offers premium plans that are great for heavy users. For example, the 10GB plan for 30 days at $36 gives you a solid amount of data, while the 5GB plan for $19.50 is a good middle ground.

On top of offering unlimited plans, those who don’t have the need for such a plan can top up their existing plan for more data as needed – no fair usage caps. This is perfect for those who want to stream Netflix or work remotely while traveling.

These higher-tier plans are also great if you’re backpacking for a month or longer – start with the 10GB plan and top up as you go, so you won’t run out of data.

Coverage & speed across Europe

With aloSIM, you get great coverage across Western, Central, and Eastern Europe by partnering with top local networks. Expect download speeds of 150-300 Mbps in cities and 50-100 Mbps in rural areas.

  • Western Europe (e.g., France, Spain): Enjoy fast 5G speeds, especially in big cities.
  • Central Europe: Good LTE coverage in cities and towns.
  • Eastern Europe: Solid coverage in cities, but a few remote areas (like the Balkans) might have some gaps.

Overall, the speeds are unthrottled, meaning you’ll get reliable performance, even for streaming or video calls.

Best eSIM for Italy: City vs. countryside

aloSIM is perfect for Italy, with plans starting at $4.50/week on top networks like Vodafone, ILIAD, and WIND.

  • In Rome and Milan, you’ll get LTE speeds over 200 Mbps – great for uploading photos and video calls.
  • In the countryside (e.g., Tuscany or Sicily), speeds are still solid, ranging from 50-100 Mbps, so you can enjoy your trip without worrying about connectivity. If you’re in remote areas, consider topping up for extra peace of mind.

Plus, the free phone number feature is handy for booking local tours or making calls.

Best eSIM for Spain: Mainland, islands, and coastal areas

For Spain, aloSIM’s lowest plan starts at just $4 for a week of data, and uses reliable networks like Vodafone and Movistar.

  • In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, you’ll enjoy blazing 250 Mbps 5G speeds, great for streaming and browsing.
  • Along the Costa del Sol, expect 180 Mbps, perfect for beach days or coastal hikes.
  • Even on islands like Mallorca or the Canary Islands, speeds stay around 100-150 Mbps. With top-ups, you won’t run out of data, even on ferry rides or while hiking.

Just be sure to turn off your home roaming to avoid unexpected charges!

Big countries: France, Germany, and the UK

  • France: Use Orange for 200 Mbps in Paris, with speeds dropping to about 80 Mbps in the countryside.
  • Germany: With Vodafone, expect 250 Mbps in cities like Berlin, plus steady speeds on the autobahn for navigation.
  • UK: EE offers 180 Mbps in London and reliable speeds all the way up to Scotland.

These plans also include flexible top-ups, so you can travel between countries without worrying about running out of data.

Eastern Europe & the Balkans: What to know

aloSIM also covers Eastern Europe (Estonia, Hungary, Croatia, Greece) with solid data speeds, but there can be minor gaps in some remote areas like rural Bulgaria.

  • Cities like Warsaw and Budapest have speeds around 150 Mbps.
  • In places like Dubrovnik, speeds drop to 100 Mbps, which is still enough for everyday use.

In very remote mountain areas, data might dip to 50 Mbps, so it’s a good idea to top-up if you’re heading somewhere super isolated.

Unlimited data vs. fixed data plans: Which one’s right for you?

aloSIM offers an unlimited data plan for Europe, and has a top-up system that lets you top up standard prepaid plans as needed. This is perfect if you want flexibility during longer trips or need more data for work or streaming.

If you’re a budget traveller who knows exactly how much data you’ll use, the fixed data plans are a great choice. However, for longer trips, an unlimited plan gives you the peace of mind to keep going without worrying about running out.

How to set up your aloSIM Europe eSIM

Getting started with aloSIM is easy:

  1. Download the aloSIM app or go to their website.
  2. Choose a plan based on your data needs and pay securely.
  3. Scan the QR code sent to your email (or enter the details manually).
  4. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan to add it.
  5. Make sure data roaming is off for your primary SIM.
  6. Your eSIM will automatically activate when you arrive in Europe.

If you prefer, you can set it up before you leave, so your phone automatically connects to a local network as soon as you land.

Frequently Asked Questions: Europe eSIM in 2025

Do I need separate eSIMs for each European country?

No, aloSIM’s Europe plan covers 35 countries across the region, so there’s no need to purchase separate eSIMs for each European country.

Can I keep my home number while using a Europe eSIM?

Yes, aloSIM runs right alongside your primary SIM. You can use it just for data, while keeping your home number for calls and texts. You also have the option to take advantage of the free international phone number provided with your aloSIM purchase.

Which devices support eSIM for Europe in 2025?

Most devices from 2018 onward work, like iPhones, Pixels, Samsungs, and even some iPads. For a full comprehensive list, you can check aloSIM’s eSIM compatibility tool to be sure.

What happens if I run out of data mid-trip?

No problem, you can top up instantly through the app. aloSIM lets you add more data to your existing eSIM anytime.

Go ahead … travel the world, never pay roaming charges

Shop aloSIM in the app or online

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