Prepaid sim card with affordable data that works throughout Europe?

May 18, 2017 12:59 AM

My family is traveling to Germany, France, Sweden, and Italy this summer. Where can they get a prepaid SIM card for their iPhones with at least 1GB data and no country restrictions? Must they really buy a new SIM card as they enter each country? The last discussion about this was in 2015 so I assume the mobile landscape have changed since then.
posted by Typographica to Travel & Transportation (15 answers total)

What cell provider do you use within the United States (if you are based in the US)? Most major US carriers have relatively inexpensive international roaming packages that cover all of the countries you listed. You can usually do a limited time add-on to you plan in advance of your travel (e.g. for one month). If you happen to use T-mobile, this is already included, and is the reason I switched to them. The only exception is Verizon, and if you use them god help you because I think the only option is $10/day for only 100mb.
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 1:11 AM on May 18, 2017

After June, all cellular data roaming in Europe will be at domestic rates.
posted by humboldt32 at 1:35 AM on May 18, 2017 [4 favorites]

I've had good luck with this Wiki for info on prepaid SIMs. Just used it in Portugal; 15€ for 3GB for a month. My understanding is you still need a separate SIM for each country. It's pretty easy to buy one in any Western European city, but it takes about half an hour. And unless you have a dual SIM you don't get to keep using your old phone number.

Like BusyBusyBusy says a US cell phone contract can be used in Europe. But it's not cheap; AT&T and Verizon are both charging $25 for 100MB, it's absurd. (Or $10 a day.) T-Mobile has a free international data roaming option that actually works somewhat OK.
posted by Nelson at 1:47 AM on May 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

After June, all cellular data roaming in Europe will be at domestic rates.

Would echo this. Thanks to beneficial EU regulations, mobile data usage in EU cannot be charged at 'international' roaming prices -- all data usage are capped at domestic rates within the EU.

"When travelling in the EU, mobile phone users will pay the same price as at home, with no extra charges"

I know that in the UK at least, 1GB of prepaid data (and texts, and calls) can cost you between £7.50 to £12 in total, and you can use it in any EU country without extra charge. I can't imagine it being too different in other EU countries.

Someone here would have a better specific answer for which SIMs to use in your specific countries.
posted by moiraine at 1:47 AM on May 18, 2017

Which country will they be in first? As others have said, they can buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card there and use it in the rest of Europe. No restrictions thanks to an EU law just about to come into force.
posted by vacapinta at 2:21 AM on May 18, 2017

Response by poster: Thanks, all! Unfortunately the EU law goes into effect on 15 June, two weeks after my family arrives. Fortunately, some providers are cancelling roaming fees early.

Family members will arrive in Stockholm, Paris, and Berlin. We will all end up in Italy (Sardinia).
posted by Typographica at 2:24 AM on May 18, 2017

Dutch Vodafone SIMs roam at domestic rates currently. You might look at the Vodafone websites for the countries of entry.
posted by humboldt32 at 2:44 AM on May 18, 2017

Have you considered Cellular Abroad?
posted by poodelina at 3:47 AM on May 18, 2017

Response by poster: @poodelina: $90 seems pricey when this similar MyMemory option is only about $30.
posted by Typographica at 3:55 AM on May 18, 2017

Response by poster: … although the reviews report that it doesn't work with tethering or in Germany.
posted by Typographica at 3:58 AM on May 18, 2017

Nthing the suggestion to look at the Prepaid Data SIM Card wiki. When I went to Europe in 2015 I used a 3 UK sim with "Feel at Home" roaming, and it was great. In planning for my upcoming trip (likewise inconveniently just before the cutover to universal roaming!) I decided to go with a German Vodafone Callya Smartphone Special SIM. It's a little more expensive but apparently it can be used for tethering, and seems it's possible to top it up online without a European credit card. However, I haven't used it yet so I can't say how good it is (or isn't). It's also important to check out the fine print regarding the exact countries you'll be travelling to.
posted by Cheese Monster at 5:52 AM on May 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

Prepaid Lycamobile SIM cards should be available in all countries.
posted by yoyo_nyc at 6:42 AM on May 18, 2017

I used T-Mobile for just a month in 2014 because I was going to 3 different countries and it worked very well. For just me, it was about $80, but I would look into how much they would charge for the whole group. It may work out to be much cheaper per person and the data is unlimited. You would each get a new phone number and sim card that you can set up while still in the US. You can still keep your current plan(s) if they are on other carriers.
posted by soelo at 7:33 AM on May 18, 2017 [2 favorites]

Ah, if only you landed in the U.K. Then you could use Three network with their 60-country Roam Like Home plan. Buy the chip at the airport, install in your mobile. Create an account online then resupply with your credit card when you run low.

I bought a 1GB data chip with talk and text for a few pounds in 2013 and still use it in Europe. My UK phone number comes in handy as well.
posted by seawallrunner at 7:18 PM on May 18, 2017

You can buy a Three SIM or a German Vodafone SIM from Ebay (that is what I did on each occasion) if that's the way you decide to go. With the Three SIM, you can't top up online without a UK credit card, but I seem to recall you could buy recharge vouchers on Ebay too.
posted by Cheese Monster at 11:46 PM on May 18, 2017