Best eSIM For The Netherlands (Cheaper Prepaid Data)
If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands, you might be wondering if an eSIM is the best way of staying connected during your trip.
At A Glance: Our Favorite eSims for the Netherlands
- Cheapest per GB Airalo
- Best for unlimited data Holafly
- Best for calls & texts Orange Holiday Europe eSim
eSims are becoming a more and more popular way of having a data connection while you are abroad as they are much cheaper than data roaming and more convenient too.
I will help you find the best eSIM for the Netherlands. We will look at the top eSIM providers, their coverage, connection speeds, and more so that you can find the best eSIM data plan for your needs while in the Netherlands.
Best eSIM Providers in the Netherlands
ESIM Product Comparison
Airalo7 Days
$4.50/GB
Airalo30 Days
$3/GB
Airalo30 Days
$2.40/GB
Airalo30 Days
$2/GB
Airalo30 Days
$1.50/GB
Nomad7 Days
$6/GB
Nomad30 Days
$3/GB
Nomad30 Days
$2.40/GB
Nomad30 Days
$1.65/GB
Holafly5 Days
Holafly7 Days
Holafly15 Days
Holafly30 Days
Holafly60 Days
Holafly90 Days
Orange14 Days
$3.74/GB
Orange14 Days
$2.50/GB
Ubigi30 Days
$2.50/GB
Airalo
Airalo is one of the most reliable Netherlands eSIM providers and therefore has become one of the most popular.
Airalo’s eSIM plans for the Netherlands are data only and you can choose between a range of plans depending on the number of days you are spending in the Netherlands and how much data you need.
Their eSim plans include:
- 1GB / 7 days for $4.50
- 2GB / 15 days for $7
- 3GB / 30 days for $9
- 5 GB/30 days for $12
- 10GB / 30 days for $20
- 20GB / 30 days for $30
So they are very affordable and data tethering is also allowed.
Plus, Airalo has teamed up with Holland’s best mobile company – KPN, offering you 5G which is great. They also have a second provider for when you can’t get a connection – Vodaphone, which as we all know is top-notch too.
Pros
- Choose from short and longer plans
- Affordable per GB
- Excellent coverage
- Fast speeds
- Good customer service
- Data tethering is allowed
Cons
- Unlimited data is unavailable
Holafly
If you are looking for an unlimited data eSIM in the Netherlands, then Holafly might just be the right eSIM provider for you.
All their plans come with unlimited data and you can choose a contract length to suit you ranging from 5 days to 90 days.
Holafly have also added 60 minutes of calls to all their packages in the last few months, which is very handy when you travel, we used it a lot recently.
The options are:
- $19 for 5 days
- $34 for 10 days
- $47 for 15 days
- $54 for 20 days
- $64 for 30 days
- $87 for 60 days
- $99 for 90 days
Note: Get 5% off your first plan with the code: EXPERTWORLDTRAVEL
So, there is no need to worry about data usage and their prices per day are very affordable if you are a heavy user.
Like most eSIMs, you do not get a local phone number, free calls, or SMS. But you can use Whatsapp to get around this quite easily.
Holafly’s connection speeds and coverage in the Netherlands are also excellent. The one downside is data tethering/ hotspot is not allowed. But again, this is usually the case with all eSIMs, at least in my experience
Pros
- Unlimited Data
- Reliable coverage and fast speeds
- Short and long-term contracts available
Cons
- No free sms
- No data tethering
Orange Holiday Europe eSim
The Orange Holiday Europe eSim is a great eSIM for the Netherlands and all other European countries too. Orange, a French network, has excellent coverage and connection speeds in both the Netherlands and across Europe.
With this cellular plan, you get 20 GB of cellular data (more than enough) as well as
- free cell phone calls
- free SMS in Europe.
You also get
so you can stay in touch with loved ones at home also.
Sadly, the price per GB is not competitive compared to other providers and the plan only lasts 14 days, so it is not an eSim for longer trips. So, if you are after another eSIM for Europe, you might want to shop around
Pros
- Free calls and SMS messages in Europe
- Some free global mins and sms
- Allows data tethering
- Works in all of Europe
Cons
- No unlimited data plans
- No longer-term mobile plan
- Price per GB is not competitive
Orange Holiday Zen eSIM
The Orange Holiday Zen eSIM is the more affordable version of the Orange Holiday Europe eSim we looked at above.
It offers the same reliable coverage and connection speeds and works across Europe, but with a smaller data plan and less free global mins and sms’.
With this data plan, you get
- 8GB of prepaid data
- unlimited free calls in Europe
- unlimited SMS in Europe
- 30 free global minutes
- 200 global SMS
so you can stay in touch with others around the world.
Sadly, unlimited data is not an option and the package only lasts for 14 days, so it doesn’t suit longer trips.
Pros
- Good coverage
- Free calls and SMS’ in Europe
- Some free global mins and SMS’
- Works in all European countries
Cons
- No unlimited data options
- Only short 14-day plans available
Nomad
Nomad is another trusted eSIM provider for the Netherlands and offers a range of packages to suit both your data needs and your trip length.
Nomad has a range of per GB eSIM packages like Airalo. Here they are:
While their plans are affordable, Nomad is a little bit more expensive than some of the other providers featured.
You can use your data to create a hotspot with Nomad eSIMs but sadly there are no plans with unlimited data.
Pros
- Solid coverage and connection speeds
- A range of plans to suit your data needs and trip length
- Data tethering is available
Cons
- More expensive than others
- Unlimited data not available
Ubigi
Ubigi does not offer a Netherlands-only eSIM, they offer European eSims that work in all countries in Europe, so you can stay connected as you travel around the continent.
Their plans range in length and the amount of data so you can choose one to suit you. They start at
All of the plans are very affordable. Sadly, they do not offer any unlimited data plans.
Pros
- All plans include all of Europe
- Affordable per GB
- Good coverage and connection speeds
- A range of plans to choose from
- Tethering is allowed
Cons
- Unlimited data is unavailable
AIS eSIM2Fly
AIS eSIM2Fly only offers a single global package that includes the Netherlands and 119 other countries too, so you can travel the world and stay connected.
The plan comes with
You will also get a Thai number to make calls and SMS with, but that doesn’t help much in the Netherlands.
Pros
- Global plan for 120 countries
- Unlimited 2G data
- Good price for global coverage
- Good coverage and solid speeds
Cons
- No other plans to choose from
- Not ideal for longer trips
Benefits of Getting an eSIM in the Netherlands
There are several benefits of getting an eSIM while you travel in the Netherlands, as opposed to data roaming or buying a physical sim card.
eSims are super convenient, you don’t have to queue to buy a physical sim, simply buy it online, apply it to your phone, and you will be connected as soon as you land.
eSims are also much more affordable than using data roaming and allow you to keep your home number to receive calls and SMS for two-factor authentication. There is also no sim swapping and therefore you won’t lose your home sim card.
eSims are also a lot more environmentally friendly as you avoid using precious minerals used to make sim cards.
Overall, getting an eSIM in the Netherlands is much easier than any other option.
Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in the Netherlands
There are a few local mobile operators in the Netherlands that offer eSIMs, a lot of which partner with the providers featured in the article.
The local mobile eSIM operators in the Netherlands are:
- KPN
- T-Mobile
- VodafoneZiggo
- Simyo
Devices Compatible with eSIM in the Netherlands
Most new smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches work with eSIMs across the world and in the Netherlands. These include:
- iPhone 12, 11, SE (2nd generation), and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, Note 20, and newer models
- Google Pixel 5, 4, 3a, and newer models
- iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), and newer models
- Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2, and newer models
- Huawei Watch 3 and newer models
To check if your device is compatible with an eSim dial *#06# and press call. If it comes up with an eSIM identification number (EID) then your phone will work with an eSim.
Data Needed When Traveling to the Netherlands
The amount of data you require while traveling to the Netherlands depends on how you use data.
Typically, people use an average of 5 GB per week, while heavy data users consume up to 15 GB of data in a week.
It is important to choose an eSim data plan that aligns with your data requirements as topping up can make it rather expensive.
You can see your data usage by running a report on your smartphone and then should choose an eSim data plan to match accordingly. If you use a lot of data, unlimited data plans are your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get an eSIM in the Netherlands?
Yes, you can get an eSIM in the Netherlands or anywhere in the world. Simply buy it online wherever you are and then activate it when you get to the Netherlands.
How can I buy an eSIM in the Netherlands?
You can buy an eSIM in the Netherlands by going online and buying the eSIM. You will then receive an email with your eSim and activation instructions.
How do I activate my eSIM in the Netherlands?
To activate your eSim, simply follow the instructions in the email. This typically involves scanning a QR code or entering an activation code. It is as simple as that
Does eSim work in Amsterdam?
Yes, eSIMs work in Amsterdam, as well as all over the Netherlands so long as there is a data connection available.
