Do I need an eSIM to use my phone in Europe?

No. Apple says international roaming with an eSIM works just like roaming with a physical SIM, so your own plan works either way. A travel eSIM is an extra option, not a requirement.

Will my UK network charge me for roaming in Europe?

It depends on the network and the plan. Three, for example, lists a daily charge of £2 or £2.75 depending on when you joined or upgraded, while O2 says roaming in its Europe Zone is part of its tariffs. Check your own network's page before you go.

Can I have two eSIMs on one phone?

On an iPhone, Apple says iPhone 13 models and later also support Dual SIM with two eSIMs. For other phones, check the maker's support page.

Does my phone need to be unlocked for a travel eSIM?

On an iPhone, yes. Apple says your iPhone cannot be locked to a network provider, and that 'No SIM Restrictions' appears next to Network provider Lock if it is unlocked.

What should I do with a travel eSIM when I get home?

Apple says to turn off any other travel eSIM lines no longer in use.

eSIM for Europe: how it works for UK travellers

A. FruchardCo-founder & CEOLast updated: 12 November 2026

No. Roaming with an eSIM works just like roaming with a physical SIM, and whether it costs extra depends on your network and plan. A travel eSIM is an optional prepaid line you add before you leave, on a phone that supports eSIM and is not locked to one network.

This guide covers what an eSIM is, how to check your phone, what three UK networks say about roaming in Europe, when a travel eSIM makes sense and how to set one up. We do not sell eSIMs or rank providers.

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Every guide on hellosafe.co.uk is written from official sources: GOV.UK and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the embassies and immigration services of each destination. Each fact is checked on the date shown under its table, and the page is updated when a rule changes. No airline, tour operator or visa service pays for a place in our guides.

Learn more

Whether you can use an eSIM depends on the phone, so check before you buy anything.

Apple's page on Dual SIM with an eSIM (dated 3 November 2026) says eSIM works on an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later, and that iPhone 13 models and later also support Dual SIM with two eSIMs. Its page on using an eSIM while travelling (dated 25 October 2026) adds a condition on the lock.

Model: On an iPhone, eSIM works on the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later.
Network lock: Apple says your iPhone cannot be locked to a network provider. If it is unlocked, 'No SIM Restrictions' appears next to Network provider Lock.

On a Pixel, Google's eSIM page says to open Settings, tap Network & internet, then SIMs, then Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM, and to follow the instructions on screen. If you did not buy the phone from your carrier, Google says to contact them. For any other make, start with the maker's own support page.

Each network sets its own terms, and they differ by plan and, on Three, by when you joined. The table sets out what the networks' own pages say. EE and the other networks have terms of their own, so check your account.

Three
Go Roam in Europe
What its page says about Europe
A daily charge applies once you use your allowance: £2 if you joined or upgraded between 1 October 2021 and 17 December 2025, and £2.75 if you joined or upgraded on or after 18 December 2025 (from 1 April 2026, with annual price increases). No daily charge on Pay As You Go, or on a Pay Monthly plan started before 1 October 2021.
Limits it states
Pay Monthly: up to 12GB of your data allowance in any Go Roam destination.
O2
Europe Zone
What its page says about Europe
Roaming in the Europe Zone is part of its tariffs.
Limits it states
A roaming limit of 25GB if your UK monthly data allowance is over 25GB. More than 63 days in any four-month period is treated as unfair use, with a surcharge of £3.50 per GB for data.
Vodafone
Zone A and Zone B
What its page says about Europe
Zone A (the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Iceland and Norway) is included in Pay Monthly plans. For Pay Monthly customers without European roaming in their plan, a European Roaming Pass covers a Zone B destination.
Limits it states
A 25GB roaming fair use policy on all Pay Monthly plans.

Network	What its page says about Europe	Limits it states
Three Go Roam in Europe	A daily charge applies once you use your allowance: £2 if you joined or upgraded between 1 October 2021 and 17 December 2025, and £2.75 if you joined or upgraded on or after 18 December 2025 (from 1 April 2026, with annual price increases). No daily charge on Pay As You Go, or on a Pay Monthly plan started before 1 October 2021.	Pay Monthly: up to 12GB of your data allowance in any Go Roam destination.
O2 Europe Zone	Roaming in the Europe Zone is part of its tariffs.	A roaming limit of 25GB if your UK monthly data allowance is over 25GB. More than 63 days in any four-month period is treated as unfair use, with a surcharge of £3.50 per GB for data.
Vodafone Zone A and Zone B	Zone A (the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Iceland and Norway) is included in Pay Monthly plans. For Pay Monthly customers without European roaming in their plan, a European Roaming Pass covers a Zone B destination.	A 25GB roaming fair use policy on all Pay Monthly plans.

Sources: Three, Go Roam and Spend Caps pages; O2, EU roaming page and roaming fair usage terms; Vodafone, global roaming page. None of the pages shows a date of its own. Checked on 6 November 2026.

The wording that counts for you is on your own network's page: Three's Go Roam page, O2's EU roaming page with its fair usage terms, and Vodafone's global roaming page. Even where roaming is included, a fair use limit can apply.

A travel eSIM is a second line, bought separately from your own plan. Apple says you can use one as a secondary line and have two active eSIM plans, and that you can purchase a prepaid plan from the network providers' websites or apps before you travel.

It can be worth a look if your own plan lists a daily charge or a data limit that does not suit your trip. Compare it with what your own network offers, using the terms on its page. We do not recommend or rank any provider.

Roaming fees can still apply

Apple warns that you might still incur roaming fees from your home eSIM. Choose which line carries your mobile data, and check the settings of the other.

Check the phone
Confirm it supports eSIM and is not locked to a network.
Choose the plan
Buy a prepaid plan from a provider's website or app before you travel, or check what your own network offers for Europe.
Add the eSIM
On a Pixel, go to Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, Add SIM, Set up an eSIM, then follow the instructions on screen.
Pick the data line
If you keep both lines on, choose which one is used for mobile data.
Switch off when home
Apple says to turn off any other travel eSIM lines no longer in use.

Three's Spend Caps page says the daily roaming charge counts towards your Spend Cap. Whatever your network, check three things before you go: the daily charge or pass listed for your plan, any fair use limit, and which of your lines is using data.

A phone is one item on a longer list. Our guide to plug adapters for Europe covers the charger, the entry requirements guide for British passport holders covers your documents, and our travel tips for UK travellers collect the rest.

No. Apple says international roaming with an eSIM works just like roaming with a physical SIM, so your own plan works either way. A travel eSIM is an extra option, not a requirement.
It depends on the network and the plan. Three, for example, lists a daily charge of £2 or £2.75 depending on when you joined or upgraded, while O2 says roaming in its Europe Zone is part of its tariffs. Check your own network’s page before you go.
Apple says eSIM works on an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later.
On an iPhone, Apple says iPhone 13 models and later also support Dual SIM with two eSIMs. For other phones, check the maker’s support page.
On an iPhone, yes. Apple says your iPhone cannot be locked to a network provider, and that ‘No SIM Restrictions’ appears next to Network provider Lock if it is unlocked.
Apple says you can purchase a prepaid plan from the network providers’ websites or apps before you travel.
Yes. Apple warns that you might still incur roaming fees from your home eSIM.
Google says to open Settings, tap Network & internet, then SIMs, then Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM, and follow the instructions on screen.
Apple says to turn off any other travel eSIM lines no longer in use.