The best eSIM for Europe, and whether you need one

Since 2017, anyone with a mobile line from an EU country gets "roam like at home" across the EU and the wider European Economic Area (which adds Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein): you use your data, minutes and texts on the same terms as at home, subject to a fair-use limit set by each operator. If you live in the EU and travel within it, an eSIM only makes sense when that limit is too small for you.

Where you are likely to need one:

• Visitors from outside the EU. Plans from the US, Canada, Australia, Latin America or Asia have no regulated roaming in Europe, and roaming add-ons are often expensive or tightly capped.
• UK residents. Since Brexit, EU roaming rules no longer protect UK lines. Some UK providers include EU roaming on certain plans, others charge extra; check yours before you go.
• Switzerland and the UK for EU residents: neither is covered by EU roaming rules, so whether they are included depends entirely on your provider.
• Turkey, Morocco and the non-EU Balkans such as Serbia and North Macedonia.
• Travellers who want trip data kept separate from their main line, or whose roaming allowance is small.

Startia has two regional plans, and the difference is the country list:

• Europe 33 covers the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Gibraltar. It is the natural choice for a route through western, central or northern Europe that takes in London or the Swiss Alps.
• Europe 43 covers more than 40 destinations: everything in Europe 33, plus Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Morocco, the Isle of Man, Jersey and the Åland Islands.

If your route stays within the Europe 33 countries, that plan is enough. If it includes Istanbul, Belgrade or a hop across to Morocco, choose Europe 43. Read the list carefully, though: Andorra, Albania and Montenegro, for instance, are not in either plan.

As a rough weekly guide:

• Light use (1–2 GB a week): maps, WhatsApp, email, train tickets and the odd search.
• Moderate use (3–5 GB a week): add social media with photos, transport apps and the occasional video call.
• Heavy use (10 GB a week or more): streaming video, daily video calls or tethering a laptop.

Wi-Fi is easy to find in European hotels and cafés, so many travellers end up in the moderate band. On a multi-week rail trip with long journeys and border changes, err on the generous side.

Total-data plans give you a bundle of gigabytes for a set period: on Europe 33, 1–20 GB with validity of 1–30 days. Daily plans, available on both regional plans, give you a high-speed allowance each day; once it is used up you stay connected at a reduced speed until the next day, fine for messaging but not for video. If your usage varies a lot from day to day, a total-data plan usually goes further.

The regional plans connect to partner networks in each country, with 5G in many of them where your phone and the area support it. Some examples from our supplier's data: in the UK, O2, Three and Vodafone on both plans; in Germany, Vodafone and O2; in Switzerland, Sunrise and Salt (Europe 43 adds Swisscom); in France, SFR on Europe 33 and Orange, SFR, Bouygues and Free on Europe 43. In Turkey, Europe 43 uses Turkcell; in Morocco, Orange Morocco on 4G; and in Serbia and Ukraine the partner networks are 4G.

On both plans your traffic reaches the internet through a European hub, so most European apps and services will not see any meaningful IP difference.

If you are only going to the UK or only to Switzerland, a single-country plan may suit you better and usually offers more sizes. The United Kingdom page lists plans on EE (with 5G) and Three; the Switzerland page lists plans on Sunrise and Salt, both with 5G.

• Install before you leave. Validity starts on the first connection to a network at your destination.
• Data roaming: turn it on for the eSIM line (it needs it because it uses partner networks) and, if you are outside your home roaming zone, turn it off on your home SIM to avoid charges.
• Watch the Swiss borders. Near Geneva, Basel or Lake Constance, an EU home SIM can latch onto a Swiss network without you crossing the border. With your data on the eSIM, that stops being an issue.
• Ferries and cruises: on-board maritime networks are not part of EU roaming; switch off roaming on your home SIM at sea.
• Rename the line. The profile appears as "Carrier"; change it to "Startia".

• Price per GB: on Europe 33, from €1.30/GB.
• Countries included: the exact list matters more than the number in the plan's name.
• Validity and top-ups: many Startia plans can be topped up from your customer account.
• Hotspot: if you plan to share your connection, check that the plan allows it.
• Support: Startia answers in English and Spanish at esim-contact@startia.es or via a ticket from your order, and if you have not installed the eSIM, you get your money back.

Startia's Europe 33 plans start from €4.99 and Europe 43 from €8.99, including VAT. Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal; on iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later the eSIM installs with a single tap. If you would like to compare us with other brands, our comparisons with Airalo and Holafly show their public prices with the date and source.

I live in the EU. Do I need an eSIM to travel around the EU?

Usually not: you have roam-like-at-home. It is only worth it if your plan's roaming data allowance is small.

Does Europe 33 include the UK and Switzerland?

Yes. Europe 33 covers the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, the UK and Gibraltar.

Which plan covers Turkey or Morocco?

Europe 43. On top of the Europe 33 countries it includes Turkey, Morocco, Serbia, North Macedonia and Ukraine, among others.

Will I get a phone number?

No. The eSIM is data-only; WhatsApp and FaceTime work over the internet.

Can I install it before I travel?

Yes. Validity starts on the first connection to a network at your destination.