If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands, you are probably wondering how you can get internet during your vacation. If you’re reading this, you probably want to know the advantages of buying an eSIM card, which will allow you to connect to the internet immediately without having to pay exorbitant rates like those offered by roaming, or without having to stop at every coffee shop in town to enjoy a free wifi network… In this post we tell you what options are available on the market and the best eSIM card for traveling in the Netherlands.
There are currently a wide variety of brands with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of plans. For this very reason, in Passporter we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Simoptions, among others, and we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We’ve already told you that the unlimited data eSIM cards like those from Holafly are a safe bet with which there will be no extra charges, and you will also have 24h support
Comparison of eSIM for a trip to the Netherlands
When comparing different eSIM brands, we must take into account all the features that will determine if the card fits the needs of our trip. That’s why we have prepared this table with all the essential information about each brand to help you choose. Later on, we will delve into all the important points so that you don’t miss any information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 days | No | + | + | Unlimited | In English, direct chat and WhatsApp | €19-99 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 y 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB | English, via bot | $4.5-32 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Ubigi | 7, 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, 50GB and 100GB | In English by mail and App | €4-240 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| Simoptions | 1 and 30 days | Only some devices | – | + | 500MB, 1GB, 3GB and 5GB | In English by chat | $14-27 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10 GB, unlimited | In English via bot | €5-54 | 4.4 | 3.2 |
1. Holafly, eSIM with unlimited data and 24h support for the Netherlands
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. 24/7 technical support in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. They have an App where you can check your usage and the number of days left on your contract. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. One of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because they offer more gigabytes than the rest. The Holafly eSIM card for Australia does not allow data sharing. You can’t do the installation through their App. The eSIM for Australia does not have unlimited data. |
Holafly is a Spanish company with offices worldwide and more than 100 employees, offering eSIM cards with unlimited data for the Netherlands and many more countries. At Passporter we think it is one of the most trusted brands on the market as it offers a 24h customer service in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the best customer rated company on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6. With Holafly we always travel with peace of mind.
On their website, you can find 8 unlimited data plans with variable durations between 5 and 90 days, with a price ranging from €19 to €99.
| Data plan | Euros | Dollars | Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | €19 | $19 | $399 |
| 7 days – unlimited data | €27 | $27 | $517 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | €34 | $34 | $699 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | €47 | $47 | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | €57 | $54 | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | €69 | $64 | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | €87 | $84 | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data | €99 | 99$ | $1999 |
The Holafly eSIM cards can be easily installed by scanning the QR code that will be sent to your email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need of a computer. You will simply have to type a code in the settings of your mobile that you can check in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards, we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but that they pay off in the end as you will never have to recharge again because you will never run out of data. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of the Holafly eSIM cards for the Netherlands based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
In this post, you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our opinion of Holafly eSIM
2. Ubigi and its eSIM cards
| Advantages | Offer regional, country or global data packages. Ubigi eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install via the web or app. The Ubigi eSIM is installed for free from the App. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 destinations. 24h real time technical support. They offer eSIM cards for smart cars. Their eSIM cards allow data sharing. You can recharge the eSIM from the App. |
| Disadvantages | Gigs are limited to 3GB or less and they do not have unlimited data plans. Short duration plans have very limited gigas. Their eSIMs do not include calls or SMS. The duration of the plans is limited to 30 days. Their support service is exclusively in English. |
There are certain differences between the eSIM cards offered by Ubigi and the other companies with data plans for overseas travel. The most characteristic is that, instead of having to buy the plan directly to be able to install the eSIM, you can choose to install the eSIM for free and then add credit depending on the gigabytes you are going to use; either in dollars, euros, pounds and yen.
Their website and App does not offer any specific eSIM plans for the Netherlands, but you will be able to find a data plan suitable for the entire Netherlands, offering 1GB for 8€. These eSIMs are rather designed for people who travel a lot and for long periods of time. It is one of the few brands that offer annual data plans. The downside is that all their plans have a data limit and you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip.
They also offer Data plans for Scandinavian countries, for Eastern Europeand another America plus Europe.
| Data plan | Price in Euro |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 8€ |
Luckily, their App works very well and in addition to buying the eSIM from there, you can install and recharge it if necessary. Also, Ubigi’s eSIMs allow for data sharing with other devices
A curious thing about Ubigi eSIM cards is that they also work in cars with internet. Some models of Jaguar, Fiat, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo or Jeep already incorporate this technology.
In this table, you can see how we evaluate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion about Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our Ubigi opinion: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4.8 | 3.1 |
3. SimOptions, an eSIM marketplace
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Sim Options eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 160 countries. Some plans include calls and SMS. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. The features of eSIMs for the same country vary according to the brand contracted. The duration of data plans is limited to 14 and 30 days. Not all eSIM cards allow data top-up. Technical support depends on each brand and good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Speed depends on each brand of eSIM card. There is no App to monitor data consumption. |
SimOptions is an eSIM card marketplace where local mobile carriers in each country sell their eSIM cards. The brand, with offices in Paris, Thailand and Hong Kong, offers data plans for eSIM cards in more than 160 countries and also have regional and global plans.
For the Netherlands, you can find four 14-day and 30-day data plans with data limits of 5GB, 8GB, 10GB and 20GB. Prices range from $17.9 to $49.9. Some of the cards available also include calls.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 5 GB | 17.9$ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 14.9$ |
| 14 days – 8 GB | 29.9$ |
| 14 days – 20 GB | 49.9$ |
The main drawback of SimOptions is that its website is a bit chaotic and the data plans, being from different brands, are very disparate, and their features vary a lot, not only price, speed or duration, but also technical support, rechargeability or data sharing. This will force you to look in detail at each brand and will make it harder for you to make a decision.
Our personal experience is that with SimOptions cards, you waste a lot of time comparing between one and the other. In addition, the price is high, you can only pay in dollars, and they don’t give you the guarantee of a good technical support. Here we leave you this ranking where we rate SimOptions eSIM cards from 1 to 5 and in this post you can read about our opinion and that of other customers about the brand: Our opinion about SimOptions: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 |
4. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM brand for travel to the Netherlands
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They are the cheapest brand on the market. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. Top up the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. ESIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Airalo is along with Holafly one of the most well-known brands in the world to buy an international travel eSIM. This company was founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir. It has been one of the first to offer these services, having a broad coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for the Netherlands offer a duration of 7, 15 and 30 days, with prices ranging from $4.5 to $30. Airalo is characterized as one of the cheapest brands on the market, however, their technical service leaves much to be desired and takes a long time to respond.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 7 days | $4.5 |
| 2 GB – 15 days | $7 |
| 3 GB – 30 days | $9 |
| 5 GB – 30 days | $12 |
| 10 GB – 30 days | $20 |
| 20 GB – 30 days | $30 |
Also, their data plans have very limited gigabytes and you will most likely run out of data mid-trip and have to recharge. This means that in the end costs will go up and cheap will be expensive.
Although Airalo is cheap and offers a wide variety of eSIM cards whose spending can be controlled through its App, the truth is that it is not one of the best options because of what we have told you above about its technical service, as you can see on Trustpilot in the user comments and ratings. Airalo has one of the lowest scores with 3.7. Here you have the ranking of each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our opinion of Airalo: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 |
5. Maya Mobile, data packages for one month
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have plans with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. They allow data sharing with other devices. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. No App. The unlimited data plan is limited to 5Mbps Technical support only in English via a bot. Only 30-day data plans. |
This company offers the customer eSIM cards for 30 days in The Netherlands. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. There are 6 packages of 1, 3, 5 and 10 gigabytes, as well as two options with unlimited gigabytes for the Netherlands, Europe and 30 other countries. The unlimited data plan is relative as the maximum browsing speed is 5Mbps and after 30GB of the plan has been used, it drops to 1Mbps. The prices for these plans range from €5 to €45.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 5€ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 8€ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 11€ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 18€ |
| 30 days – unlimited | 45€ |
| 30 days – unlimited (Europe and beyond) | 45€ |
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting and installation process, which is also done via a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case since they have at least two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
In the case of Maya Mobile, we find the disadvantage that their plans are very inflexible and only have a duration of 30 days. In Trustpilot, you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.4, but there are hardly any comments. Here we leave you this table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.2 |
Conclusion of which is the best eSIM for Netherlands
In this post we have seen that there are many important factors to consider when comparing eSIM cards as, for each type of travel you will have different connection needs. After testing several brands of eSIM cards for the Netherlands we have drawn our own conclusions, and we have prepared this section where we tell you which eSIM card is best for each type of travel.
When we travel, we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our holiday, that’s why eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option if we want to travel without worries. In this case, the only brand that offers unlimited eSIM data plans is Holafly. With some companies like Ubigi, Nomad or Airalo you can recharge the eSIM already installed through their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data. And remember, you can only top them up while the card is still active.
If in the end you opt for an eSIM with limited data, we leave you this table that will help you to make the estimate of the gigabytes you will need based on your usual consumption.
| Platform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0.18 GB – 0.8 GB |
| Netflix | 0.3 GB – 7 GB |
| Youtube | 0.14 GB – 1.7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0.8 GB – 6 GB |
The installation process for eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your mobile is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. This information you can check on the website of each provider, and in the case of Ubigi, downloading the App informs you if your phone is compatible.
The purchase of the eSIM for the Netherlands can be done via the web for some brands like Holafly or Simoptions, or via the app like Nomad or Ubigi. The Holafly website is very intuitive and easy to use, while the Simoptions website is quite complicated to understand, and you will have to read a lot.
The only brands that allow you to do the installation through the App are Nomad and Ubigi, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you will be able to get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation by scanning a QR code that you will receive in the mail as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Airalo, Simoptions or Nomad.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Airalo have a chatbot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of SimOptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly tech support is the best as it responds in less than 1 minute in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese via web chat or WhatsApp.
Many times when traveling we want toshare data with other devices and only some providers like Airalo, Ubigi and some Simoptions brands make it possible. However, you have to keep in mind that the eSIM data of these brands is limited, and if you share it will run out even sooner.
But one of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Airalo and Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited, and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again with the top-up. That’s why it’s sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get an unlimited data eSIM card like Holafly’s for peace of mind and no need to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best choice for travel to the Netherlands for their unlimited data and multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute. With Holafly you’ll never run out of data on your trip.
Other options for having internet in the Netherlands
ESIM cards are our preferred option for travelling abroad because of all the advantages they offer and that we detail in this table. However, there are different options that you can consider depending on your interests and needs. Below, we will tell you about all the possibilities.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Pre-purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, you don’t have to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a shop first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No dependency on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Tranquility | 24h technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your mobile. |
| Security | Without using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. Avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile as with eSIM cards. |
1. SIM cards for the Netherlands
When you are going on a trip to the Netherlands, you can get a SIM card very easily. In the airports and shopping areas of the cities you will find stores of the main European cell phone companies such as: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, SFR, Turkcell, Swisscom. Prices vary depending on the country.
| Advantages | A variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is quick. They can be purchased online or in physical shops. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Disadvantages | You have to exchange it for your regular SIM card, which can be lost or damaged. You have to open and handle the mobile phone during the installation process. When your travel SIM contract runs out, you have to replace it with another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to arrive at home. |
If you are a forward-thinking person, you can buy the cards online before you set off on your trip. You will have them at home between 24h and 72h. However, keep in mind that you will have to remove the usual SIM card to install the new one, and as a result you will not be able to use your old number until you exchange the cards again.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi in the Netherlands
Another alternative for connecting to the Internet in the Netherlands is to rent a Pocket WiFi device, a portable router that allows you to connect to many devices at once as long as they are near the device.
| Advantages | It can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Long-term contracts are the norm. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay rent, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts at most 6 hours. If you use it with other people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
Some companies offering this service are Mio WiFi or Hippocket WiFi. The price ranges from €6 per day plus device rental and insurance. And most put a limit on the number of devices that can be connected.
This option is interesting when we only need internet in a very specific space or for a long period of time. They are usually recommended for business trips.
3. Free WiFi networks in the Netherlands
This is undoubtedly the most frequent and also the cheapest option. Who hasn’t wandered desperately around a foreign city in search of free WiFi? If it’s happened to you, then you’ll know how complicated it can be to find Wifi networks that work well, that don’t ask you to fill out endless forms or that don’t have limited time.
Although it is true that it is increasingly easier to access public Wi-Fi networks in museums, hotels, cafés and on transport, the truth is that this option should be used with great caution. The public Wifi points are very vulnerable to hacks and cyber-attacks, through which they access your private data. It is therefore recommended to spend as little time as possible connected, to use it for specific queries and not to expose personal data.
| Advantages | It’s free. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is difficult to find free wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or have connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and give your personal details. Some free wifi networks are time-limited. You should always connect close to the router. They are vulnerable to hacking. |
4. Enable roaming for the Netherlands
One of the options that is losing more and more popularity due to its high costs is roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high. The cost of MB can be up to 6€ for 1MB, which is crazy.
In Spain there are several companies that offer roaming service abroad as Movistar, Vodafone or Orange. If in the end you choose this option, we recommend you to get information about the cost of roaming beforehand from your usual company in order to compare with other services such as eSIM cards.
| Advantages | No installation on our mobile. No extra services to sign up for. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Disadvantages | It is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without realising it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This will cost you nothing but helps us offset the costs of paying our writing team. All opinions are our own. Thank you for your support 🙂 .
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in the Netherlands
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your usual SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is built into the latest generation of mobile phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the website or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your mobile phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. The camera will then open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, which is why it is recommended that you do it before setting off on your trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same day express delivery.
In South America, there is no company that offers real unlimited data.
It is best to activate it just before your trip as you will need an internet connection.
Most plans have a duration of 7, 15 or 30 days.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly has been marketing eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences published on Trustpilot, with a rating of “Excellent” and an average score of 4.6.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot rating than Holafly at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong based company.
No, Maya actually limits the speed on its unlimited plans to only 5mbps. Once 30GB is consumed, Maya further limits the speed to 1mbps.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average rating of 4.5.
The price varies depending on the provider, the gigabytes and the duration of the contract. The price range is between €9 and €119.
Airalo reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
No Comments