Best eSIM for Europe from India (2026)

Best eSIM for Europe from India (2026)

Short answer: for a multi-country Europe trip, a regional eSIM saves you buying a new SIM at every border. Simnity's Europe eSIM works in 41 countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, from ₹285 for 500 MB. 5 GB for 30 days costs ₹1,853 and 10 GB for 30 days costs ₹2,945. If you are staying in one country, a single-country plan is cheaper, for example ₹1,520 for 10 GB / 30 days in France. Prices checked 28 Oct 2026.

Which Europe plan to buy

Countries covered by the Europe plan (41): Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Source: Simnity Europe plan coverage and prices, 28 Oct 2026.

Europe eSIM vs Jio and Airtel roaming

The honest read:

• For a one-month trip where you will call home a lot, the Jio and Airtel monthly packs cost about the same as a 10 GB eSIM and include minutes. Either is fine.
• For a 1–2 week trip, or if you mainly need data, the eSIM is clearly cheaper: 5 GB for ₹1,853 for 30 days, against ₹2,999 for 5 GB for 7 days on Jio.
• Without a pack, Airtel's standard data rate is ₹6.5 per 10 KB, so never land with data on and no pack.

Sources, checked 28 Oct 2026: Jio IR packs for France and Germany (jio.com); Airtel IR pack table, one pack set for all covered countries (airtel.in).

Schengen checklist for Indian passport holders

• Visa: Indians need a Schengen short-stay visa: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–12, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply at the consulate of your main destination, 15 days to 6 months before you travel. Normal processing takes 15 days and can stretch to 45. Source: European Commission.
• Frequent travellers: since 18 Apr 2024, Indians who have lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years can get a 2-year multiple-entry visa, normally followed by a 5-year one. Source: EU Delegation to India.
• New at the border: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully running since 10 Apr 2026. It records your fingerprints and photo at your first Schengen border and replaces passport stamps. ETIAS is for visa-free travellers, so it does not apply to Indian visa holders. Source: travel-europe.europa.eu.
• The UK is separate: a Schengen visa does not cover the UK. Indians need a UK Standard Visitor visa (£135, up to 6 months). Source: gov.uk. The Simnity Europe eSIM does cover the UK, so one plan works for both.

Entry rules checked 22 Oct 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the consulate before you apply.

Keeping your Indian number for bank and UPI OTPs

• Keep your Indian SIM switched on as the second line, with its mobile data off. Use the eSIM line for data.
• Jio says incoming SMS are free while roaming. Prepaid users must buy an IR pack at least once to switch roaming on, so check it is active before you fly.
• Airtel prepaid offers a ₹118 roaming activation, valid 28 days, with unlimited incoming SMS (an active domestic plan is needed; calls and data are then charged at standard rates).

Full comparison: Jio vs Airtel roaming vs eSIM.

Set it up before you leave India

1. Check your phone supports eSIM: device list.
2. Buy the Europe eSIM and install it at home on Wi-Fi (install guide).
3. When you land, switch on the eSIM line and turn on data roaming for that line only.
4. Keep your Indian SIM on for calls and SMS, with its data off.

Not sure how much data you need? See how much data for travel.

More: France eSIM · UK eSIM · UK guide for Indian travellers