Lycamobile vs Simpel Netherlands 2026
The expat journey SIM comparison: which to get first, and when to switch
Quick verdict
The typical expat path
Most expats use both in sequence. Lycamobile when you arrive (no BSN needed, buy at Schiphol). Simpel once you have your BSN and a Dutch bank account (typically 2-6 weeks after arrival). You can port your Dutch number from Lycamobile to Simpel for free.
Ready to sign up? Jump straight to the provider:
Lycamobile
KPN 5G, English support, international calls
eSIM available - no Dutch bank account required
Simpel
Odido 5G, monthly-cancellable, eSIM available
Dutch bank account required (iDeal signup)
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Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Lycamobile | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| Network | KPN 5G (best rated in NL) | Odido 5G |
| BSN required | No (prepaid) | Yes |
| Dutch bank required | No (prepaid) | Yes (iDeal + direct debit) |
| Current promo price | 40GB €2.50/mo (6 months on 2-yr) | All bundles €2.50/mo (12 months on 2-yr) |
| Regular price (40GB) | €12/mo after 6 months | €11/mo after 12 months |
| Calls included | Unlimited national + 45+ international countries | 250 min national (most plans) |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
| English support | Yes (full English website, app, phone) | No (Dutch only) |
| EU roaming | Yes (generous FUP) | Yes (free roam like at home) |
| Contract type | Prepaid or 2-year SIM-only | Monthly-cancellable or 2-year |
| Buy without Dutch address | Yes (supermarkets, Schiphol) | No (online only, Dutch address required) |
| Trustpilot | 3.6/5 | 3.8/5 (86,000+ reviews) |
Lycamobile Netherlands: full review
Official site: lycamobile.nl/en
Lycamobile is a global MVNO operating in 24 countries with 16 million prepaid customers worldwide. In the Netherlands, it runs on KPN's 5G network, which was rated the best mobile network in the Netherlands by independent testing firm umlaut in March 2025. Lycamobile is the most commonly recommended first SIM for expats because it requires no Dutch administration to activate.
Current plans (as of June 2026)
- • 40GB + unlimited national calls + 16GB EU roaming: €2.50/mo for first 6 months on 2-year contract (then €12/mo)
- • All plans include unlimited calls and texts within the Netherlands
- • International calling minutes included to 45+ countries on most plans
- • No connection fee on current deal
- • Prepaid option available (higher per-GB cost, no contract)
What makes Lycamobile stand out for expats
No BSN, no Dutch bank account needed
Prepaid SIMs sold at Schiphol Airport and in virtually every supermarket (Albert Heijn, Jumbo, HEMA, Primera). You can have a Dutch number within minutes of landing, with just your passport.
Full English experience
English website, English app, and multilingual customer support. One of the very few Dutch telecom options with genuine English-language service, which matters when you are still finding your feet.
International calling built in
Most plans include international calling minutes to 45 or more countries. If you regularly call family in India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Brazil, or the US, Lycamobile's included international minutes can save significantly compared to other Dutch providers.
Advantages
- • No BSN or Dutch bank account required
- • KPN 5G network (best rated in Netherlands)
- • Full English website, app and support
- • International calling to 45+ countries
- • eSIM available
- • Available at Schiphol Airport day one
- • Generous EU roaming
Disadvantages
- • Promo period shorter (6 months vs Simpel's 12)
- • Slightly higher regular price than Simpel after promo
- • No unlimited data plan option
- • Prepaid pricing higher per GB than subscription
Get Lycamobile Netherlands
40GB from €2.50/mo first 6 months. KPN 5G, eSIM, no BSN needed, English support, international calling.
Get Lycamobile SIM or eSIMSimpel Netherlands: full review
Official site: simpel.nl
Founded in 2007, Simpel is one of the Netherlands' most established budget mobile brands with over 86,000 Trustpilot reviews. In 2020, Simpel became part of T-Mobile Netherlands (now rebranded as Odido), which means Simpel customers get access to Odido's 5G network at significantly lower prices than going direct to Odido. The proposition is straightforward: the cheapest legal monthly rates for a quality network, with no extras.
Current plans (as of June 2026)
- • Super Super Super Sale: ALL bundles €2.50/mo for first 12 months on 2-year contract
- • 5GB + 250 min: €2.50/mo (12 mo), then €6.50/mo
- • 10GB + 250 min: €2.50/mo (12 mo), then €7.50/mo
- • 18GB + 250 min: €2.50/mo (12 mo), then €9/mo
- • 30GB + 250 min: €2.50/mo (12 mo), then €10/mo
- • 40GB + unlimited calls: €2.50/mo (12 mo), then €11/mo
- • Simpel Plafond (€0.50/mo add-on): hard cap on out-of-bundle spending
- • Plans adjustable monthly up or down at no cost
What makes Simpel stand out
12 months at promotional rate (vs Lycamobile's 6)
Simpel's current promotion applies to all data bundles for 12 months. That means a full year at €2.50/mo regardless of whether you choose 5GB or 40GB. This is twice the promotional period of Lycamobile's current deal.
Monthly-cancellable option
Unlike many providers, Simpel offers genuine month-to-month contracts at a small premium. This matters for expats unsure how long they will stay. The Simpel Plafond feature (€0.50/mo) also prevents bill shock from out-of-bundle usage.
Cheaper after the promo ends
At the 40GB tier, Simpel costs €11/mo after the promo versus Lycamobile's €12/mo. For expats planning to stay 2 or more years, Simpel is slightly cheaper in the long run.
Advantages
- • Cheapest SIM-only in Netherlands (during promo)
- • 12-month promo period (vs 6 for Lycamobile)
- • Odido 5G network (fastest 5G by Opensignal in some benchmarks)
- • Monthly cancellable plans available
- • eSIM available
- • Simpel Plafond prevents bill shock
- • 86,000+ Trustpilot reviews, established since 2007
Disadvantages
- • BSN and Dutch bank account required
- • Dutch-only website and app
- • Dutch-only customer support
- • No physical stores (online only)
- • No international calling included
- • Cannot buy at Schiphol or supermarkets
Get Simpel Netherlands
Odido 5G, monthly-cancellable, eSIM available. 5GB to 40GB from €2.50/mo for 12 months on 2-year contract.
Check Simpel plansWhich to choose: by situation
Just arrived, no BSN yet
Choose Lycamobile. Buy a prepaid SIM at Schiphol or a supermarket. Your passport is all you need. Have a Dutch number within minutes.
Have BSN and Dutch bank, want the lowest price
Choose Simpel. The 12-month promotional period beats Lycamobile's 6 months. Lower regular price after promo too. Sign up at simpel.nl using iDeal.
Call family abroad regularly
Choose Lycamobile. International calling minutes to 45+ countries are included in most Lycamobile plans. Simpel does not include international calls - you would pay per-minute rates or rely on WhatsApp/VoIP.
Want English-language customer support
Choose Lycamobile. Simpel is Dutch only. Lycamobile has a full English website, app, and support team. This matters most when something goes wrong.
Staying 2+ years, comfortable with Dutch interface
Choose Simpel. Slightly cheaper over the full 24-month period, and the Dutch interface is manageable with auto-translate for basic account management.
Short stay (under 6 months), maximum flexibility
Consider Lycamobile prepaid or Simpel monthly-cancellable. Neither 2-year contract makes sense for a short stay. Lycamobile prepaid needs no contract. Simpel's monthly-cancellable plans cost slightly more but give flexibility without lock-in.
Switching from Lycamobile to Simpel: how to port your number
Number porting (nummerbehoud) is free by law in the Netherlands. When you are ready to switch from Lycamobile to Simpel, the process is:
- 1.Sign up for Simpel at simpel.nl using your Dutch bank account (iDeal payment)
- 2.During signup, indicate you want to port your existing number and enter your current Lycamobile number
- 3.Simpel contacts Lycamobile on your behalf and handles the transfer
- 4.Porting takes 1-5 working days. Your number moves over automatically - no action needed on your end
- 5.Your Lycamobile SIM stops working when the transfer is complete. Insert your new Simpel SIM
You do not need to contact Lycamobile to cancel - the number port effectively cancels your Lycamobile service. If you are on a Lycamobile contract (not prepaid), check any early termination terms before porting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Lycamobile without a BSN in the Netherlands?
Yes. Lycamobile prepaid SIMs are available with just your passport - no BSN, no Dutch bank account, no address required. You can buy one at Schiphol Airport, Albert Heijn, Jumbo, HEMA, and Primera stores across the Netherlands. This is the key reason Lycamobile is recommended for newly arrived expats before they have completed municipality registration.
Does Simpel require a BSN?
Yes. Simpel is a SIM-only subscription service. It requires a Dutch bank account (for iDeal signup and direct debit) and a Dutch address. A BSN is effectively required because you need the bank account first, and opening a Dutch bank account at most banks requires a BSN. The exception is bunq, which lets you open an account without a BSN using just your passport. If you have a bunq account and Dutch address, you may be able to sign up for Simpel without a formal BSN in hand, but this is not guaranteed.
Both are the cheapest options in the Netherlands. Which is actually cheaper?
Over 24 months, Simpel is cheaper. Simpel's promo (all bundles €2.50/mo first 12 months) gives you 12 months at promotional rate. Lycamobile's promo (40GB €2.50/mo) gives you 6 months at promotional rate. After the promo, Simpel's 40GB plan costs €11/mo while Lycamobile's costs €12/mo. Over 24 months: Simpel total roughly €150 (12 x €2.50 + 12 x €11), Lycamobile total roughly €159 (6 x €2.50 + 18 x €12). The difference is small. For most expats, the BSN requirement is the deciding factor, not the price difference.
Lycamobile is on KPN, Simpel is on Odido. Which network is better?
Both are excellent. KPN was rated the best mobile network in the Netherlands (and the world) by umlaut in March 2025, scoring highest on overall network performance. Odido (formerly T-Mobile/Tele2) has 5G speeds rated fastest by Opensignal in some city benchmarks. For practical daily use, both networks cover 99%+ of the Netherlands population. The network you get depends on your postcode - in some areas KPN is marginally stronger, in others Odido is. The difference is not meaningful for most users.
Does Lycamobile include international calls?
Yes. Most Lycamobile plans include minutes to 45 or more countries outside the EU. This is one of Lycamobile's standout features compared to Simpel, which only includes calls within the Netherlands and EU roaming. If you regularly call family in India, the Philippines, Nigeria, the US, or other non-EU countries, Lycamobile's international minutes are a significant practical advantage.
Can I get an eSIM with Lycamobile or Simpel?
Lycamobile: yes, eSIM is available. You can activate a Lycamobile eSIM without receiving a physical card - useful if you want connectivity before your Dutch address is confirmed. Simpel: yes, eSIM is also available. Simpel customers can switch from physical SIM to eSIM or sign up directly with eSIM on compatible devices. Both support eSIM, which is increasingly useful for expats using dual-SIM setups (keeping a home country number while using a Dutch number).
When should I switch from Lycamobile to Simpel?
The typical expat journey: arrive in the Netherlands, buy a Lycamobile prepaid SIM (no BSN needed), complete municipality registration, receive BSN (typically 1-4 weeks), open a Dutch bank account, then switch to a SIM-only plan like Simpel for lower long-term costs. You can port your Dutch mobile number from Lycamobile to Simpel for free (number porting is free by law in the Netherlands). The process takes 1-5 working days. Simpel handles the transfer.
Does Simpel have an English website or app?
No. Simpel's website and app are Dutch only. Customer support is Dutch only (phone support available). However, the account management app is straightforward enough to use with browser auto-translate for basic tasks like checking usage and paying invoices. If English-language support is important to you, Lycamobile has a full English website, English app, and multilingual customer support - making it significantly more expat-friendly in this regard.
I am moving to the Netherlands from outside the EU. Which should I get first?
Lycamobile first, without question. As a non-EU arrival, you will not have a BSN or Dutch bank account when you land. Lycamobile prepaid requires only your passport. Buy a SIM at Schiphol, activate it, and have a Dutch number within the hour. Once you have completed your municipality registration (BRP inschrijving), received your BSN, and opened a Dutch bank account, you can then evaluate whether to switch to Simpel (cheaper, Odido network) or stay with Lycamobile (easier management, English support, international calling).
Related guides
Everything else you need to set up mobile and internet in the Netherlands.
Some links are affiliate links. No extra cost to you. Prices verified June 2026 - always check provider websites for current deals.