Not too long ago, traveling to Europe (or anywhere internationally) and staying connected to the network involved buying a physical SIM card at your destination. Without a dual SIM phone, this meant you had to swap SIM cards, so you could no longer use your phone number. The alternative was facing high roaming fees.
Today, there’s another option: eSIMs. With an eSIM-compatible phone, you can get a stable connection in Europe without a physical SIM card and avoid roaming charges.
This guide examines the top eSIMs for Europe, including their key features and pricing, to assist you in making an informed decision.
eSIM for Europe Travel: Why Are eSIMs a Better Option Than Physical SIM Cards?
For a long time, physical SIM cards were the only option for connecting to a mobile network, regardless of your location. While many people still use them, eSIMs (digital SIM cards) are gaining popularity due to their convenience and flexibility, particularly among travelers. Below is a quick side-by-side comparison of eSIMs and physical SIM cards that underlines why eSIMs are a more travel-friendly option:
Feature | eSIM | Physical SIM Card |
Design | Embedded into the phone | Small plastic card that is inserted into the phone |
Activation process | Simple, remote activation that doesn’t require a carrier’s assistance | Activation requires a carrier’s assistance |
Multiple carrier support | One device can store multiple eSIMs, allowing easy switching between carriers and plans | One device can store up to two physical SIM cards (if it’s a dual SIM phone) |
Security | Can’t be stolen, lost, or easily damaged | Can be relatively easily removed from a device or damaged during transfers |
The Best eSIM for Europe Travel in 2025
We’ve explored dozens of eSIMs for Europe and shortlisted the top five options that offer the most value:
- Cape
- Vodafone Travel
- Airalo
- Orange Travel
- Holafly
1. Cape
Cape offers unlimited high-speed 4G and 5G data in 150+ countries worldwide. In the U.S. and select locations, Cape also offers unlimited texts and calls, providing a full mobile experience via an eSIM.
The key advantage is the carrier’s emphasis on privacy and security. Using eSIMs involves certain risks, from extensive data collection to outdated security protocols, and Cape aims to minimize or eliminate them through:
- Proprietary architecture: Cape uses its own network, which doesn’t assume trust between operators, to minimize the risk of leaks and breaches.
- Strict data handling protocols: The carrier adheres to minimal data collection policies to prioritize your privacy and minimize the risks of data exposure or misuse.
- Advanced SIM profile management: Cape manages SIM profiles and identifiers directly to minimize tracking.
- High credential security: The carrier doesn’t resell other carriers’ eSIMs. Instead, it manages its own eSIM system to keep user credentials secure without intermediaries.
Cape offers a simple and transparent pricing model, with a single option available at $30 per month.
2. Vodafone Travel
As one of the largest mobile network operators in Europe, Vodafone offers a Travel eSIM for various destinations worldwide, including many European countries.
You can choose from several eSIM Europe plans. Eachplan supports 42 countries, ensuring coverage across the continent. Here are your options:
- Europe 1 GB: $5
- Europe 5 GB + 5GB free: $19
- Europe 10 GB + 10 GB free: $32
- Europe 20 GB + 20 GB free: $46
- Europe 50 GB + 50 GB free: $69.5
Vodafone also offers eSIM plans for individual countries, including Italy, Germany, Spain, and France, which may be a better option if you’re visiting only one of these countries.
Vodagone Europe eSIM has a simple setup process; you:
- Ensure your device’s compatibility and purchase the desired plan
- Install your eSIM. You’ll need a stable internet connection, so it’s best to do this before the trip
- Activate your eSIM on your flight or once you arrive (you don’t need an internet connection for activation)
In terms of security and privacy, Vodafone is transparent about the type of data it collects from its users. The list is long and includes your name, payment information, traffic data, credentials, and technical information.
The operator’s security policy mentions that Vodafone “takes reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, unauthorized access, and disclosure,” but it doesn’t provide details on what these steps entail. The lack of transparency could deter users who prioritize security when traveling abroad.
3. Airalo
Airalo isn’t a mobile provider but an eSIM marketplace that works with different providers and allows you to purchase eSIM mobile data plans (some of which include calls and texts) for over 200 locations worldwide. You can get an eSIM for a single country, a region, or the entire globe.
In terms of European eSIM plans, Airalo offers two types of packages:
- Standard: Packages ranging from 1 GB for seven days to 180 GB for six months
- Unlimited: A single package with unlimited data that is valid for 10 days
Prices range depending on the package, with the most affordable option at €4.50 (~$5.20) and the most expensive one (180 GB for six months) at €165.50 (~$190).
Using Airalo is simple and involves the following steps:
- Choosing a location: Select Europe or choose a specific country
- Selecting a package: Find a package that offers the ideal balance of available data and validity
- Installing and connecting: Install your eSIM before the trip and connect once you land
Regarding security, Airalo states that it uses robust authentication protocols and encryption to safeguard user information. The company’s website has a Trust Center that provides details about the systems, protocols, and policies Airalo leverages to maintain a high level of user privacy and security. The problem is, you need to request access to the Trust Center.
Considering that Airalo collects extensive user and device information, the lack of transparency regarding security protocols can deter individuals from purchasing an eSIM from the company.
4. Orange Travel
Orange Travel is a service offered by Orange, a popular telecommunications company, that provides eSIMs for over 200 locations worldwide.
There are two options for European eSIM plans:
Option | Description | Price |
Data only | 1 GB for seven days or 4 GB for 14 days | Not listed |
Data + calls + SMS | Various options, from 20 GB for 14 days to 500 GB for 90 days | Ranging from $29.99 to $202.99 |
Plans are rechargeable, so if you run out of data while in Europe, you can top up your plan in a few clicks via the Orange Travel app.
Orange Travel Europe eSIM plans cover over 40 European countries, from popular destinations like Spain and Greece to lesser-visited gems like Estonia and Romania. That said, certain European countries aren’t included in the Europe plans, including:
- Serbia
- Montenegro
- Albania
- North Macedonia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Orange Travel offers eSIMs for each of these countries, but as individual packages. For example, if you’re traveling to Serbia and Montenegro, you’ll need to purchase two eSIM packages.
Orange Travel’s data protection policy clearly states what user data points are processed and for what purpose, but there aren’t any details on the security measures the service implements to keep the information safe.
5. Holafly
Holafly provides eSIMs for international travelers, covering over 200 destinations. The company’s Europe eSIMs offer unlimited data. You only need to choose how many days you’ll stay in Europe. That gives you more flexibility and ensures you get a plan that aligns with your needs, rather than overpaying for a package you’ll use only for a short period. Below are several examples of prices to give you an idea of the cost:
- One day: $3.90 per traveler
- 10 days: $36.90 per traveler ($3.69 per day)
- 30 days: $74.90 per traveler ($2.50 per day)
- 90 days: $139.90 per traveler ($1.55 per day)
Holafly’s Europe packages cover 33 countries, excluding Eastern European countries such as Russia, Moldova, and Belarus, as well as the Balkan countries like Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you’re traveling to these regions, you can opt for the Eastern European or the Balkans package or purchase a package for individual countries.
Holafly only offers eSIM cards with unlimited data. If you prefer packages with a specific number of GB, you should check with one of the other providers.
As for eSIM security and privacy, Holafly is transparent about its policies and protocols. The service collects a vast amount of information and often shares it with third parties, making it a less suitable option for those who value their privacy. In terms of security, Holafly offers encryption and regularly performs penetration testing to simulate cyberattacks and identify and resolve vulnerabilities.
Which eSIM Card for Europe Is Your Best Option?
While all eSIM options reviewed offer stable network coverage in Europe, not all have the same approach and dedication to privacy and security. Many eSIM providers and stores have vague policies that don’t provide enough details on exactly how your information is handled during activation and management.
Cape, on the other hand, takes a more transparent approach. In addition to reliable coverage, it offers:
- Clear and detailed privacy and security protocols
- Advanced features that ensure data protection at all times
- Strict no data selling policies
- Secure authentication through modern cryptography
Due to its prioritization of user security and privacy, Cape is the number one eSIM option for travelers visiting Europe.
Cape: The Carrier Built for Security and Privacy
Cape is a privacy-first mobile carrier designed to keep your communications safe from surveillance and misuse. Unlike traditional cell phone plan providers, our business model centers around providing you with premium and secure call, text, and data, rather than harvesting and selling your information.
Our service is built from the ground up with privacy and security at its core, offering unique features like:
Privacy & Security Feature | Description |
Cape doesn’t ask for your name, address, or Social Security number. We only collect the information necessary to provide service, and we retain that information for the minimum amount of time possible. | |
Traditional carriers rely on a fixed International Mobile Subscriber ID (IMSI) to connect your device to cellular networks. This is a vulnerability that lets carriers, advertisers, and bad actors identify and track your device. Cape lets subscribers automatically rotate their IMSI every 24 hours, making it infinitely more difficult to track you or your device. | |
Many services ask for your phone number, but sharing it exposes you to spam, scammers, data brokers, and a variety of other risks. VoIPs, on the other hand, don’t work with 2FA, cost extra, and aren’t encrypted. With Cape, you get two free additional SMS/MMS lines that are middle-to-end encrypted. | |
Most U.S. carriers store your call and text metadata for years, sometimes indefinitely. Cape is built to forget, so call data records (CDRs) are deleted after just 24 hours. | |
One-time passwords (OTP) can be intercepted by bad actors if SMS messages aren’t encrypted, exposing your bank accounts and other sensitive data. With Cape, you can encrypt and route all SMS/MMS messages through the Cape app, so even if they’re intercepted, nobody can read them. This feature is currently only available on iPhone. Android coming soon. | |
Cape nullifies the threat of SIM swapping by completely removing humans from the loop. During signup, you receive a 24-word phrase that generates a private key tied to your number. This effectively means that no one (but you) can move your number to a new carrier or device, not even Cape. | |
Legacy network protocols, like SS7, leave you vulnerable to hackers that can track your location, intercept your calls and texts, and steal sensitive information. Cape’s Network Lock relies on a proprietary signaling proxy to verify that your device’s physical location matches the network it’s trying to attach to. If we detect anything out of the ordinary, Cape automatically blocks the connection, nullifying the potential threat. | |
We don’t require your name or billing address. Payments are processed by Stripe and tokenized, so your subscription can’t be tied back to your personal details. | |
Traditional voicemail systems are outdated, unencrypted, and another security hole bad actors can exploit to gain access to your sensitive information. Cape encrypts all voicemails, ensuring only you can access them. | |
While roaming, your phone connects to local telecom providers to enable service. But, who knows who might be listening on the other end. Cape provides you with peace of mind by routing your traffic through our U.S.-based mobile core, ensuring your identity, data, and communications remain private and secure. |
Ditch Legacy Carriers: Get Cape Today
Cape is a “Heavy” Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), meaning we own our mobile core and provision our own SIMs. This gives us full control over how accounts are authenticated and what data is collected (and for how long), as well as allows us to provide privacy and security features no other carrier on the market can offer.
Get started with Cape today and enjoy the peace of mind, knowing you are fully protected against scammers, hackers, bad actors, and other mobile threats.
To help protect more than just your phone, we’ve partnered with Proton. As a new Cape subscriber, you can choose between Proton Unlimited and Proton VPN Plus for just $1 for six months.
