eSIM in the Netherlands 2026: travel eSIM or a Dutch SIM-only plan?
The right choice depends on how long you stay and whether you need a Dutch number
The short answer
Visiting from outside the EU: a travel eSIM such as Saily gives you data from €3.49, installed before you fly. Visiting from inside the EU: your own SIM already works at home prices under EU roaming rules. Moving here: get a Dutch SIM-only plan with eSIM once you have a BSN, compared in our mobile providers comparison.
Newly arrived and waiting for your BSN? A travel eSIM covers the first weeks, and a prepaid SIM gives you a Dutch number in the meantime. Our first 30 days guide puts the phone in the right order with everything else.
Table of contents
Which option fits your stay
| Your situation | Best option | Dutch number |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday or business trip from outside the EU | Travel eSIM, data only | No |
| Trip from another EU or EEA country | Your own SIM at domestic rates | No |
| Just moved, no BSN yet | Travel eSIM or a prepaid SIM | With prepaid, yes |
| Living here with a BSN and Dutch bank account | Dutch SIM-only plan on eSIM | Yes |
If you are moving here, a Dutch number matters more than it seems: employers, landlords and many local services expect one. Our telecom setup guide covers mobile, internet and TV together.
Travel eSIM plans for the Netherlands
Saily, from the team behind NordVPN, sells data-only eSIM plans for the Netherlands. You buy and install the eSIM in its app before you travel, and the plan activates automatically when you arrive. You have 180 days to start a plan after buying it.
| Saily Netherlands plan | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | €3.49 |
| 3GB | 30 days | €6.99 |
| 5GB | 30 days | €8.99 |
| 10GB | 30 days | €15.99 |
| 20GB | 30 days | €23.99 |
| Unlimited | 5 to 30 days | From €43.49 |
Visiting more countries? Saily's Europe plan covers 35 countries from €4.49. Plans are data only, so calls and messages run through apps such as WhatsApp.
Get a Saily eSIM for the Netherlands
Data from €3.49, install before you fly, activates on arrival.
See Saily Netherlands plansAffiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
EU roaming: when you need nothing
If your SIM comes from an EU or EEA country, EU rules mean you pay no extra charges in the Netherlands: calls, texts and data are billed at your domestic rates. For most EU visitors, buying a travel eSIM is unnecessary.
Watch the fair use limit
Operators may apply a fair use limit to roaming data and charge a capped surcharge above it. If you are moving here, a Dutch plan is cheaper over time once you are registered.
Dutch SIM-only providers with eSIM
Once you live here, a Dutch SIM-only plan on eSIM is cheaper than any travel eSIM and gives you a local number. These providers support eSIM; prices and current promotions are in the full comparison.
| Provider | Network | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Odido | Own network | Yes, free on SIM-only |
| Simyo | KPN | Yes |
| Youfone | KPN | Yes |
| Ben | Odido | Yes |
| Lycamobile | KPN | SIM or eSIM |
| Mobiel van Budget Thuis | KPN | No |
Choosing between the two most popular options? Read Simyo vs Odido, or use the provider comparison tool to filter by eSIM.
How to set up an eSIM
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your home operator.
- Install over wifi, ideally before you travel. Most providers send a QR code or set it up in their app.
- Label the lines in your phone settings so you know which one handles data.
- Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line if it is a travel eSIM, and turn it off for your home SIM to avoid charges.
Keep the QR code or activation details until the eSIM works. Some providers may only let you download a given eSIM profile once.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an eSIM in the Netherlands if I have an EU SIM?
Usually not. Under EU roaming rules, calls, texts and data from an EU or EEA SIM are charged at your domestic rates in the Netherlands. Your operator may apply a fair use limit on data, so check your allowance before a long stay. A travel eSIM mainly helps visitors from outside the EU.
Does a travel eSIM give me a Dutch phone number?
No. Travel eSIMs such as Saily are data only. You keep your own number for calls and messages through apps like WhatsApp, but you do not get a Dutch number. Saily offers a separate US phone number add-on, not a Dutch one.
Can I install a travel eSIM before I fly?
Yes, and it is the easiest way. Saily lets you buy and install the eSIM at home; the plan activates automatically when you arrive, and you have 180 days to start it. Install it over wifi before you leave, and enable data roaming for the Saily line.
Which Dutch providers offer eSIM on SIM-only plans?
Odido offers a free eSIM on its SIM-only plans, and Simyo, Youfone and Ben support eSIM as well. Lycamobile sells both a SIM and an eSIM. Mobiel van Budget Thuis does not offer eSIM. Check that your phone supports eSIM before ordering.
Can I get a Dutch SIM-only contract without a BSN?
SIM-only contracts normally need a BSN and a Dutch bank account. Until you have both, prepaid is the way in: Lycamobile, Lebara and KPN prepaid sell SIMs with just your passport. Our mobile providers comparison covers the prepaid options.
How much data do I need for a week in the Netherlands?
For maps, messaging and some browsing, a few gigabytes is usually enough for a week, because hotels, trains and many cafés have wifi. Video calls and streaming use far more. Saily's 1GB plan lasts 7 days and its 3GB and larger plans last 30 days.
Official sources
- • Your Europe on mobile roaming: the EU roam-like-at-home rules and fair use limits
- • ACM ConsuWijzer: your rights on Dutch phone contracts