eSIM, local SIM card or roaming: which to choose?
In the EU, stay with your Polish SIM. Outside it, an eSIM gives you data from landing with no queue; a local SIM can be cheaper, roaming costs most.
In the countries of the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein your Polish SIM works as it does at home and you don’t need an eSIM. The question is about the rest of the world.
| Your Polish operator’s roaming | Local SIM card | eSIM bought before the trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you have to do | Turn on a package in the app | Find a stand, show your passport, swap the card | Five minutes at home over Wi-Fi |
| Data from landing | Yes | Only after you buy it | Yes |
| Polish number in the phone | Stays | Gone for the trip | Stays |
| Cost per gigabyte | Highest | Usually lowest | In between, known in advance |
A local SIM wins on price for a long stay in one country, if you don’t mind the queue at the airport and being without your Polish number. Roaming wins when you need data for one day and your operator has a sensible package. An eSIM wins in every other case: holidays, a tour of several countries, a night-time arrival, children with phones.
Also worth reading
- What is an eSIM and how does it work?An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone: you install the operator’s profile from a QR code, with no plastic and no trip to a shop.
- Is there one plan for several countries?Yes, regional plans: for Europe, Asia, the Balkans, the USA with Canada, or the whole world. One eSIM for the whole trip.