Best eSIM for Working Holidays and Long Stays Abroad

Picture this: you’ve just landed in a new country, ready to embrace your working holiday or long-term remote adventure. You open your laptop, eager to check emails or join a Zoom call—only to realise your mobile data is nonexistent, and the airport Wi-Fi is as reliable as a weather forecast in the tropics.

This scenario is all too common for digital nomads, freelancers, and remote employees who rely on seamless internet connectivity to keep their work on track while exploring the world. Whether you're hopping between co-working spaces in Bali, settling in for a month-long stay in Lisbon, or testing the waters of slow travel through South America, having a reliable internet connection is non-negotiable.

Gone are the days of scrambling to find a local SIM card or being held hostage by outrageous roaming charges. Thanks to eSIM technology, long-term travelers can now enjoy instant, flexible, and cost-effective mobile data in multiple countries—without the hassle of swapping out physical SIM cards.

Why eSIM is the Best Choice for Long-Term Travelers & Remote Workers

Gone are the days of frantically searching for a local SIM card in an unfamiliar airport while running on zero sleep and a questionable airport coffee. In today’s digital world, staying connected while working abroad is as essential as your passport and power bank.

For those embarking on working holidays, digital nomad life, or long-term stays, eSIM technology is a game-changer. Whether you’re conducting client calls from a beachside café in Thailand or managing projects from a co-living space in Spain, an eSIM ensures you have seamless mobile data without the hassle of traditional SIM cards.

Let’s break down why eSIMs are the best connectivity solution for long-term travelers.

How eSIM Works for Travelers

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built directly into your smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Instead of physically swapping SIM cards, you simply download an eSIM profile, activate it through an app or QR code, and boom—you’re online.

Think of it as switching mobile networks at the speed of a Netflix skip-intro button—but without the extra baggage (literally).

📱 Why digital nomads love eSIMs:
✅ Instant activation – No need to queue up at local phone shops.
✅ Multiple networks – Switch between providers as you move between countries.
✅ No physical SIM required – One less thing to lose or damage.
✅ Works with major devices – Compatible with iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and more.

Key Benefits of Using eSIM for Long Stays

Still wondering if you should ditch the physical SIM card? Here’s why eSIMs are a no-brainer for remote workers and long-term travelers.

1. Flexibility: Switch Networks Like a Local

Ever been stuck with horrible network coverage in a foreign country? eSIMs allow you to instantly switch providers without changing your number, meaning you always have the best connection available.

2. Cost-Effectiveness: Stop Bleeding Money on Roaming Fees

International roaming charges are worse than overpriced airport snacks. Many travelers unknowingly rack up hundreds of dollars in fees, whereas an eSIM plan from providers like Simify or Airalo offers 30-day data plans for as little as $20—a fraction of the cost.

💰 Example: Major carriers charge around $10/day for roaming, but an eSIM from Simify provides global data for a month at a lower price.

3. Reliability: Never Drop a Call Again

There’s nothing worse than your Wi-Fi cutting out during an important video call with your team. Since eSIMs connect to multiple networks, you can always choose the provider with the strongest signal—ensuring smooth Zoom meetings and uninterrupted workflow.

4. Convenience: No More SIM Card Juggling

Let’s be honest—keeping track of tiny SIM cards is a nightmare. With an eSIM, you can store multiple plans on your phone and switch between them with just a tap.

Need a regional plan for Europe? ✅ Activate in seconds.
Flying to Asia next month? ✅ Add a plan without changing SIMs.
Running low on data? ✅ Top up online—no need to visit a store.

📲 Pro Tip: Apps like Simify and Airalo allow you to track data usage, switch plans, and top up seamlessly while on the move.

In a world where reliable internet is as crucial as coffee on a Monday morning, eSIMs have revolutionized global connectivity. Whether you’re freelancing from a co-working hub in Mexico City, taking client calls from a mountain retreat in Switzerland, or simply exploring new destinations while working remotely, an eSIM provides the flexibility, affordability, and reliability that modern travelers need.

Best eSIM Providers for Working Holidays and Long Stays Abroad

Now that we’ve established why eSIMs are the holy grail of connectivity for remote workers, it’s time to answer the big question: Which eSIM provider should you choose?

The truth is, not all eSIMs are created equal. Some offer better coverage, while others shine in affordability or unlimited data plans. Whether you're hopping between countries or setting up a temporary base abroad, here’s a breakdown of the best eSIM providers for working holidays and long stays.

1. Simify – Best Overall for Global Travelers

🔹 Perfect for: Digital nomads & long-term remote workers
🔹 Coverage: 150+ countries
🔹 Pricing: Competitive, with regional & global plans

Simify is a top-tier eSIM provider that offers affordable international data plans with seamless coverage across Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond. It’s ideal for long-term travelers who want to avoid the hassle of managing multiple SIMs while staying connected.

💡 Key Features:
✅ Wide network reach – Works in over 150 countries.
✅ Flexible plans – Choose from regional or global options.
✅ Easy activation – Instant setup via QR code.
✅ Reliable speeds – Strong connectivity for remote work.

📌 Where to buy? You can check out Simify plans.

2. Airalo – Budget-Friendly eSIM Option

🔹 Perfect for: Travelers looking for affordable short-term plans
🔹 Coverage: 190+ countries
🔹 Pricing: Budget-friendly, country-specific & regional plans

Airalo is a great option for those who need low-cost data without a long-term commitment. It offers country-specific, regional, and global eSIMs, making it a smart choice for those who travel frequently but want to control costs.

💡 Key Features:
✅ Affordable data – Great for budget-conscious travelers.
✅ Custom country plans – Ideal if you’re staying in one place for a while.
✅ Flexible options – Local, regional, and global eSIMs available.

3. Holafly – Best Unlimited Data Plans for Digital Nomads

🔹 Perfect for: Remote workers needing unlimited data
🔹 Coverage: 40+ countries
🔹 Pricing: Slightly higher, but offers unlimited plans

Holafly is a popular choice for long-term travelers who consume a lot of data. If you spend hours on video calls, streaming, and heavy browsing, their unlimited data plans are a solid investment.

💡 Key Features:
✅ Unlimited data – No worrying about running out.
✅ Long-term plans – Perfect for those staying in one region for months.
✅ Excellent customer support – 24/7 assistance available.

4. Nomad – Best eSIM for Frequent Country Hoppers

🔹 Perfect for: Travelers moving between countries often
🔹 Coverage: 100+ countries
🔹 Pricing: Pay-as-you-go, affordable data bundles

Nomad is designed for travelers who jump from country to country frequently. It’s known for its flexible pay-as-you-go plans that allow you to switch networks without paying extra roaming fees.

💡 Key Features:
✅ Great for multi-country travel – One eSIM works in many places.
✅ Affordable pay-as-you-go plans – Only pay for what you need.
✅ Fast activation – Get online in minutes.

5. Ubigi – Reliable for Business Travelers

🔹 Perfect for: Frequent flyers & corporate travelers
🔹 Coverage: 200+ countries
🔹 Pricing: Mid-range, offers monthly plans

Ubigi is an excellent choice for professionals who travel regularly for work. Its monthly eSIM plans cater to business users who need consistent, high-speed internet for productivity.

💡 Key Features:
✅ Business-friendly plans – Ideal for corporate travelers.
✅ 5G support – High-speed connectivity in select countries.
✅ Easy setup – Activate directly from the app.

Which eSIM Should You Choose?

Still unsure? Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Provider	Best For	Coverage	Price Range	Unlimited Data?
Simify	Best overall for global travel	150+ countries	Affordable	❌
Airalo	Budget-conscious travelers	190+ countries	Cheap	❌
Holafly	Unlimited data users	40+ countries	Higher cost	✅
Nomad	Multi-country travelers	100+ countries	Affordable	❌
Ubigi	Business travelers	200+ countries	Mid-range	❌

If you're looking for the best balance of price, coverage, and flexibility, Simify is the clear winner. But if you’re a data-hungry remote worker, Holafly’s unlimited plans may be worth the investment.

For travelers needing seamless global connectivity, an International eSIM is an excellent choice, offering coverage in multiple countries without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best eSIM for Long Stays

Picking the right eSIM for your working holiday or long-term stay isn’t just about finding the cheapest option—it’s about choosing the best plan for your needs. While one traveler might need high-speed data for endless Zoom calls, another might just want basic connectivity for emails and Google Maps.

To make sure you get the best deal (and avoid any unpleasant surprises), here are the key factors to consider when selecting an eSIM for your long-term travel.

1. Coverage & Supported Countries

Not all eSIMs work everywhere, so before you commit to a plan, double-check that your destination is covered.

Some providers, like Simify and Airalo, offer global coverage across 150+ countries.
Others, like Holafly, focus on regional unlimited plans (e.g., Europe, Asia, or the Americas).
If you’re traveling to less touristy destinations, make sure your provider supports the local network operators.

2. Data Plans & Pricing

Your data needs will depend on how you work and travel.

🔹 Light Users (10-20GB/month)

Best for: Casual travelers who need data for emails, messaging apps, and occasional browsing.
👉 Suggested provider: Airalo (affordable country-specific plans)

🔹 Medium Users (30-50GB/month)

Best for: Remote workers & freelancers who make video calls and use cloud-based apps.
👉 Suggested provider: Simify (regional plans with good pricing)

🔹 Heavy Users (Unlimited Data)

Best for: Digital nomads & content creators who stream, upload videos, and need constant connectivity.
👉 Suggested provider: Holafly (unlimited plans in selected regions)

💡 Budgeting Tip:

If you stay in one country for an extended period, a local eSIM plan may be cheaper.
If you travel between multiple countries, a global eSIM will save you from constantly switching plans.

3. Compatibility with Your Device

Most modern smartphones support eSIM, but not all do. Before buying, check if your device is eSIM-compatible.

✅ Devices that support eSIM:

Apple: iPhone XR and newer.
Samsung: Galaxy S20 series and newer.
Google: Pixel 3 and newer.

❌ Devices that don’t support eSIM:

Older Android models and some budget-friendly smartphones.
Most budget prepaid phones from carriers.

📌 Pro Tip: You can check if your phone supports eSIM by dialing *#06# and looking for an EID number.

4. Customer Support & Reliability

When you’re working abroad, the last thing you want is to be stranded without internet because of an activation issue.

Simify & Holafly offer 24/7 customer support, making them a safe choice for remote workers.
Airalo and Nomad rely on email or in-app chat support, which can be slower.
Ubigi is best for business travelers, offering premium customer service with fast response times.

📌 Pro Tip: Check Trustpilot reviews before committing to an eSIM provider.

5. Speed & Network Priority

Not all eSIMs give you the same speed. Some providers offer full-speed 4G/5G, while others limit speeds to 3G to keep costs down.

🔹 Full-speed eSIMs: Simify, Holafly, Ubigi
🔹 Speed-restricted eSIMs: Some Airalo country-specific plans may be capped at 3G speeds

💡 If you’re working remotely, always choose an eSIM with 4G/5G access for better video call quality.

Quick Recap: How to Choose the Right eSIM

Factor	Why It Matters	Best eSIM Option
Coverage	Ensure the provider works in your destination	Simify, Airalo
Data Plan	Choose a plan that fits your usage	Simify (balanced), Holafly (unlimited)
Device Compatibility	Not all phones support eSIM	Check compatibility
Customer Support	Essential if something goes wrong	Simify, Holafly
Speed	Fast speeds needed for work	Simify, Ubigi, Holafly

How to Activate and Use an eSIM for Long-Term Travel

So, you’ve picked the perfect eSIM plan—now what? Activating and managing an eSIM for long-term travel is surprisingly quick and painless (unlike dealing with physical SIM cards and activation codes in a foreign language). Whether you’re heading off on a working holiday or settling in for a months-long stay, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your eSIM up and running like a pro.

Step 1: Check Device Compatibility

Before purchasing an eSIM, make sure your phone actually supports it.

📌 Quick check: Dial *#06# and look for an EID number—this means your phone is eSIM-compatible.

✅ Popular eSIM-compatible devices:

Apple: iPhone XR and newer
Samsung: Galaxy S20 series and newer
Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and newer

❌ If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, you’ll need a physical SIM.

Step 2: Choose an eSIM Provider & Plan

📌 Best eSIM for Long-Term Travel
🔹 Simify – Best overall for global coverage
🔹 Holafly – Ideal for unlimited data plans in selected regions
🔹 Airalo – Budget-friendly, country-specific eSIMs

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re hopping between multiple countries, a regional or global eSIM plan will be more cost-effective than buying country-specific plans.

Step 3: Purchase & Receive Your eSIM

Once you’ve chosen an eSIM provider, follow these steps:

✅ Buy the plan that suits your needs.
✅ Receive a QR code via email or app.
✅ Keep this QR code handy—you’ll need it for activation.

📌 Important: If you’re traveling, print or save the QR code on another device (in case you lose Wi-Fi while activating it).

Step 4: Scan the QR Code & Activate eSIM

Activating your eSIM is as simple as scanning a QR code and following a few prompts.

🔹 iPhone (iOS 16 & newer)

1️⃣ Go to: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM
2️⃣ Scan the QR code provided by your eSIM provider
3️⃣ Follow the prompts to complete activation
4️⃣ Select your eSIM as the primary or secondary SIM
5️⃣ Turn on “Data Roaming” if needed

🔹 Android (Samsung & Google Pixel)

1️⃣ Go to: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager
2️⃣ Tap “Add Mobile Plan” → Scan QR Code
3️⃣ Follow the setup instructions
4️⃣ Enable “Data Roaming” if necessary

💡 If you’re using a dual-SIM setup, you can keep your home SIM for calls/SMS while using the eSIM for data.

Step 5: Manage Your Data Plan Efficiently

You’re all set! But wait—don’t burn through your data on unnecessary background apps.

✅ Monitor usage through your eSIM provider’s app (e.g., Simify, Airalo).
✅ Use Wi-Fi for video calls, downloads, and heavy data tasks.
✅ Enable Low Data Mode on your phone to extend your data plan.

Troubleshooting Common eSIM Issues

🔴 QR Code Not Scanning? – Restart your device and try again.
🔴 No Internet After Activation? – Check if Data Roaming is ON.
🔴 Slow Speeds? – Some plans may have speed limits—check with your provider.

📌 Still stuck? Contact customer support for your eSIM provider. Simify & Holafly offer 24/7 support if you run into activation issues.

Tips to Maximise eSIM Data While Working Abroad

Now that you’ve got your eSIM activated and running, the next challenge is ensuring you don’t burn through your data allowance in the first week—especially if you’re on a limited plan.

If you rely on Zoom meetings, cloud storage, and streaming, your data usage can skyrocket quickly. But don’t worry—here are smart ways to stretch your eSIM data and stay connected without unnecessary top-ups.

1. Use Wi-Fi Whenever Possible

🔹 Best for: Video calls, streaming, and large file uploads.

Public Wi-Fi hotspots can save you tons of mobile data, so take advantage of them:
✅ Co-working spaces & cafés – Many offer high-speed internet.
✅ Hotels & Airbnbs – Check reviews on Wi-Fi reliability before booking.
✅ Public spaces – Airports, libraries, and shopping malls often provide free Wi-Fi.

📌 Pro Tip: Use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi to keep your data secure. Try NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

2. Optimise Data Usage on Your Phone

🔹 Best for: Preventing apps from eating data in the background.

📲 Adjust these settings to save data:
✅ Turn off background app refresh (Settings → General → Background App Refresh).
✅ Limit mobile data use for apps like YouTube, Instagram, and Google Drive.
✅ Disable auto-downloads for WhatsApp, Telegram, and email attachments.
✅ Use “Lite” versions of apps (Facebook Lite, YouTube Go, etc.).

📌 Pro Tip: Set up data usage alerts on your phone to track consumption.

3. Adjust Video Call & Streaming Quality

🔹 Best for: Reducing data usage on Zoom, Google Meet, and Netflix.

✅ Zoom & Google Meet: Change video quality to standard definition (SD).
✅ YouTube & Netflix: Set playback quality to 480p or lower (Settings → Video Quality).
✅ Spotify & Apple Music: Download playlists offline instead of streaming.

📌 Data Saving Tip: A 60-minute Zoom call in HD uses up to 1.2GB, while the same call in SD only uses 300MB.

4. Use Local eSIM Plans for Extended Stays

🔹 Best for: Travelers staying 1+ month in a country.

If you’re staying in one country for an extended period, consider getting a local eSIM instead of a global one.

📌 Best options for long-term stays:

Europe: Airalo’s regional plans
Asia: Holafly’s unlimited data plans
USA & Canada: Simify’s long-term plans

💡 Example: A 30GB global eSIM plan costs ~$50, but a local eSIM in Thailand costs just ~$20 for unlimited data.

5. Turn Off Automatic Updates & Cloud Syncing

🔹 Best for: Saving data when working on the go.

✅ Disable automatic app updates in Google Play/App Store.
✅ Pause OneDrive, iCloud, and Google Drive syncing when on mobile data.
✅ Download work files over Wi-Fi before heading out.

📌 Pro Tip: Set your phone and laptop to update only when connected to Wi-Fi.

6. Get an eSIM with Unlimited Data (If Needed)

🔹 Best for: Heavy data users who don’t want to worry about limits.

If you’re constantly on video calls, uploading content, or working in cloud-based apps, an unlimited eSIM plan might be worth it.

✅ Best unlimited eSIMs:

Holafly – Unlimited data in 40+ countries.
Ubigi – Monthly data plans with 5G support.

📌 Important: Some “unlimited” eSIMs may throttle speeds after reaching a certain usage threshold—always check the fine print!

If you're planning an extended stay in Europe, consider a Europe SIM card for reliable regional coverage and cost-effective data plans tailored for long-term travelers.

Quick Recap: How to Make Your eSIM Data Last Longer

Tip	Why It Helps	How to Do It
Use Wi-Fi	Saves mobile data for when you really need it	Connect in cafés, co-working spaces, hotels
Optimise phone settings	Stops apps from using background data	Turn off auto-downloads & background refresh
Lower video call & streaming quality	Reduces data usage by 50%+	Set Zoom & YouTube to SD (480p)
Consider local eSIMs	Cheaper than global plans for long stays	Buy a country-specific eSIM
Turn off auto-updates	Prevents unnecessary data use	Disable app updates & cloud syncing
Get an unlimited eSIM	Best for heavy users	Choose Holafly or Ubigi for unlimited plans

Final Thoughts: Which eSIM is Right for You?

🚀 If you want a simple, reliable eSIM for long-term travel, go with Simify.
📍 Need a cheaper country-specific plan? Airalo is a great budget choice.
🔄 Traveling to multiple countries? A regional eSIM from Simify or Holafly will work best.
🌎 Want unlimited data? Holafly is your best bet.

Ready to Stay Connected Abroad?

With the right eSIM, you can focus on what really matters—working remotely, exploring new destinations, and living your best travel life.

Image credit: Depositphotos