Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
My Portuguese SIM continued to work as normal in the UK even well after Brexit (Nov 2022), FWIW.UK is usually not included with the EU sim plans, so you’ll have to pick up a different one there
Thanks. That shouldn't be a problem.UK is usually not included with the EU sim plans, so you’ll have to pick up a different one there
My Spanish Vodafone did tooMy Portuguese SIM continued to work as normal in the UK even well after Brexit (Nov 2022), FWIW.
It is as easy as being able to use the Internet.How easy is it to put more money on a pay-as-you-go card when you are not in the country where you bought it?
I ask since you can get a pay-as-you-go card in Portugal or France, and it continues to work in Spain... but if you want to add money on a card once in Spain? I don't think you can add money to a sim card from Vodafone (for example) that you bought in France/Portugal... at a Vodafone store in Spain. I might be wrong, but I don't think so.
As far as range? eSIM would be the same as a physical SIM card.What about the eSim cards? What is their range and is it easy to add money as needed?
I recently used Airalo for a UK and Ireland trip. I found the Airalo app easy to use to purchase one plan that could be used in both countries (one EU and one not). I bought the plan ahead of time but activated it only once there using the app. The app provided an easy way to recharge though I didn't need to do that as a lot of my data usage was done using wifi. I'm unsure as to whether their eSIM plans can also offer a phone number and voice minutes as I didn't need that so didn't seek out plans with it.What about the eSim cards? What is their range and is it easy to add money as needed?
Airalo does not provide a phone number. It's data only. If one only uses data, Airalo is highly rated.I recently used Airalo for a UK and Ireland trip. I found the Airalo app easy to use to purchase one plan that could be used in both countries (one EU and one not). I bought the plan ahead of time but activated it only once there using the app. The app provided an easy way to recharge though I didn't need to do that as a lot of my data usage was done using wifi. I'm unsure as to whether their eSIM plans can also offer a phone number and voice minutes as I didn't need that so didn't seek out plans with it.
I collected some YouTube videos about Airalo and its app and posted them here:
My Portuguese SIM continued to work as normal in the UK even well after Brexit (Nov 2022), FWIW.
Look at Airalo if your phone accommodates esims. You can buy very inexpensive plans for anywhere and everywhere and top up as needed, all directly to your phone. Many of our friends have used it and we just used it for a 3 month Eurail trip around the EU. it worked perfectly and if you buy a regional plan it switches automatically every time you change countries. We just bought a data plan and used Skype for the few phone calls we wanted to make and WhatsApp for text messages. Just something to look at. www.airalo.com. CheersHi All. Looking for some advice on a suitable SIM card for travelling in EU and UK. Thinking of getting a Vodafone SIM on arrival in Spain. After completing the Camino will then spend a couple of months travelling in France and UK. Would mainly use SIM for data and occasional local calls. Would a Vodafone prepaid monthly plan work for me, renewed every 28 days?
The internet may work for a Spanish-bought Vodafone, but with Orange Mundo I have never been able to top up via internet, even with help from Parador and other hotel concierges, or convenience store/news stand top up experts. I have always had to go to an Orange store for this service. Orange had certain plans that would automatically roll over 20 Gigs of unused data after the first 28 day period, but not after the second. Some plans roll over, but not automatically. These Orange SIM cards worked for me in France and Portugal, and I was told by the sellers they would work in the majority of European countries. One wonders if it just depends on the phase of the moon and alignment of stars.It is as easy as being able to use the Internet.
It is correct that, for example, Vodafone Portugal is a separate company from Vodafone Spain and it isn't possible to top up for the other in each others stores but they both have excellent websites and both have the choice of English language and other languages.
As a result, if you have a credit card and an internet connection then you can top up your phone account.
Hi Stephen. Am also an Aussie spending 10 weeks in Spain walking the Frances April to June this year. Thinking to buy 2 esims too. What ones are you buying? Friends have recommended Simcorner.ChrisG1, as a fellow Aussie, I was in Europe for 10 weeks last year. I purchased three SIM cards from Simsdirect in Aust. They were shipped within 5 days express post. They are uk based and you get a uk number which works in 35 European countries. Worked well over many countries during our travel. Only issue was tech support was only in Aussie time which starts at midnight onwards. But they work well . I’m buying esims this year for April Nay. And loading them both on my phone before I go and getting rid of the trouble setting up etc while home. I’ll just turn on one at a time . They will automatically switch on when connected to the network .
Get back in touch if you want more info
Thanks for the response. My understanding of simsdirect is that their sims last a month from a pre set date. They are supposed to activate when first turned on on that date. I have heard that activation isn't that straight forward and I don't want the hassle of contacting Australia to sort it out if that is the case. Seemed like a good option at first.Sins direct are Australian based
Sounds like very good reasons to avoid ever using an Orange SIM cardThe internet may work for a Spanish-bought Vodafone, but with Orange Mundo I have never been able to top up via internet, even with help from Parador and other hotel concierges, or convenience store/news stand top up experts. I have always had to go to an Orange store for this service. Orange had certain plans that would automatically roll over 20 Gigs of unused data after the first 28 day period, but not after the second. Some plans roll over, but not automatically. These Orange SIM cards worked for me in France and Portugal, and I was told by the sellers they would work in the majority of European countries. One wonders if it just depends on the phase of the moon and alignment of stars.
The type of SIM card is irrelevant. eSIM or physical SIM. What makes the difference is the plan that you purchase along with the SIM card.What about the eSim cards? What is their range and is it easy to add money as needed?
I have certainly seen people doing this, generally they are people who struggle with technology.I think the best solution is just to buy two SIM cards if you think you're going to use more than 10gb. Hard to do with eSIM
I was able to use my Vodafone Spain SIM in the UK for data during August 2023.2023 say the implementation of roaming charges for a lot of carriers that allowed both UK and EU use. I believe they all now require either a daily fee or a monthly fee to utilize roaming outside of the sims usual area. These fees are about €2-3 daily, €10-15 monthly. If you haven’t used it recently, you may be in for a surprise
My Spain Vodafone SIM card worked fine in France, Spain, Portugal and the UK.I got a Vodafone SIM in Madrid and it worked fine while in Spain, but the second I went into France I lost my internet. I tried to resolve this problem but I could not find a Vodafone site that was in English, and the Vodafone shops I went to could not resolve the problem either. I can't tell you a better choice, but I would avoid Vodafone if you are crossing boarders.
I have no doubt that what you say is true. However when I bought the SIM I told the person I bought it from, who spoke good English, that I would be crossing borders into France and they still sold me the wrong plan and did not set it up properly. When I went to a Vodafone store to correct this they were unable to do so. I have no doubt that the SIM card was capable of doing what I wanted. Sadly the support staff was not. I will still be avoiding Vodafone.My Spain Vodafone SIM card worked fine in France, Spain, Portugal and the UK.
I suspect that you had not set up your phone correctly.
Earlier in this threadIn another recent thread I listed the three things that are required to enable data roaming across borders.
1 Purchase a plan that allows data roaming
2 Set up data roaming in your phone's settings for that SIM card
3 Be in a country where the telecommunications companies offer data services
There are a couple of other requirements that are more obscure but if you buy your plan from a major company such as Vodafone then they won't apply.
I suspect that you had not done step 2, above
As @Rick of Rick and Peg said above, it sounds like you can easily add more data if you use the Airalo app to purchase an eSIM. This video shows howI think the best solution is just to buy two SIM cards if you think you're going to use more than 10gb. Hard to do with eSIM
A man walks into a car hire in Madrid and asks for a car that will transport him to Santiago de Compostela. They check some documentation, sign a contract, he pays some money and they give him a key and point to a car in the yard.I have no doubt that what you say is true. However when I bought the SIM I told the person I bought it from, who spoke good English, that I would be crossing borders into France and they still sold me the wrong plan and did not set it up properly. When I went to a Vodafone store to correct this they were unable to do so. I have no doubt that the SIM card was capable of doing what I wanted. Sadly the support staff was not. I will still be avoiding Vodafone.
To beat a dead horse, I would have gladly "figured it out myself" if Vodafone had provided me access to instructions in English.A man walks into a car hire in Madrid and asks for a car that will transport him to Santiago de Compostela. They check some documentation, sign a contract, he pays some money and they give him a key and point to a car in the yard.
The man uses the key to open the door and gets into the hire car.
He sits there waiting for it to take him to Santiago but nothing happens.
Three days later, he is tired of this and so he gets out of the car, walks back into the rental agency and asks for his money back.
The person behind the counter asks him why?
He says "I told you that I wanted a car to take me to Santiago de Compostela. I have been sitting in that car for three days now and it hasn't moved".
The person behind the counter says in reply "you do know that you need to drive it yourself, don't you?"
I used esim from a UK company called Sparks. You can set it up in various ways. For me it worked best to initially buy a Spanish package and then a smaller one fits when I was in Portugal. But you can also get a European package … and more.What about the eSim cards? What is their range and is it easy to add money as needed?
Yes, it is technically possible to have an eSIM that can have more than one plan installed on it. So, for example, you could have a physical SIM with a Spanish plan, and have your home plan and another installed on the eSIM. I don't think all phones with eSIMs can do this. Also, I believe at this time you can only have phone and data assigned to one SIM or split the two between two SIMs (e.g., phone only can receive calls on the one number that you pick). You have to change settings to use eSIM2 in place of eSIM1.Edit: my phone may support dual eSIM, if so Airalo may be the way to go.
There are eSIM providers that can give you a number and minutes in addition to data. They may give you a number in a country of their choosing though so the albergue you are calling may think you have an Austrian phone for example.The ONLY issue is that it is data only, so had no p phone number attached. So for phone calls I was restricted to people/businesses on WhatsApp. I have since discovered an app called Viber that I will use next year (along with my sparks esim) that allows calling to all other phones fired something like 2cents per minute)
I have used Viber for years on Camino and also when I'm at home in the US if I need to call abroad. I buy $5 worth of Viber credits, and the last for several Caninos, since I don't need to make many calls to landlines.The ONLY issue is that it is data only, so had no p phone number attached. So for phone calls I was restricted to people/businesses on WhatsApp. I have since discovered an app called Viber that I will use next year (along with my sparks esim) that allows calling to all other phones fired something like 2cents per minute)
Hi, I use an Italian Vodafone sim card that I cannot reload in Vodafone shops in Germany (for example). However, this issue is circumvented by using the Vodafone.it website that has an option to easily reload my account. I suspect each country-specific website offers the same facility.How easy is it to put more money on a pay-as-you-go card when you are not in the country where you bought it?
I ask since you can get a pay-as-you-go card in Portugal or France, and it continues to work in Spain... but if you want to add money on a card once in Spain? I don't think you can add money to a sim card from Vodafone (for example) that you bought in France/Portugal... at a Vodafone store in Spain. I might be wrong, but I don't think so.
This applies to India only.Google and Apple have removed the eSIM apps Airalo and Holafly from their app stores following orders from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to curb cyber fraud. The DoT has also instructed internet service providers and telecom companies to block the websites of these apps
Apparently only India at the government's instruction. I'm seeing conflicting information about why; either really used for fraud or because they never got Indian approval to offer eSIMs in the first case.Google and Apple have removed the eSIM apps Airalo and Holafly from their app stores ...
It did for me in Spain and France on my 2022 Camino. I did not travel to other countries, so I can't answer the UK question. I purchased my SIM at the Pomplona Vodaphone store and renewed it while in Leon. Very economical compared to the outrageous international charges my USA carrier VERZON was charging the first few days until I got to Pomplona.Hi All. Looking for some advice on a suitable SIM card for travelling in EU and UK. Thinking of getting a Vodafone SIM on arrival in Spain. After completing the Camino will then spend a couple of months travelling in France and UK. Would mainly use SIM for data and occasional local calls. Would a Vodafone prepaid monthly plan work for me, renewed every 28 days?
I walked in Spain and Portugal last year. Got a Vodaphone 28day Sim card in Madrid. Later found could only ring Spanish Mobile Numbers ... and Romanian!.... could not call international or cross Europe!!!! Data great worked everywhere. So much for EU.Hi All. Looking for some advice on a suitable SIM card for travelling in EU and UK. Thinking of getting a Vodafone SIM on arrival in Spain. After completing the Camino will then spend a couple of months travelling in France and UK. Would mainly use SIM for data and occasional local calls. Would a Vodafone prepaid monthly plan work for me, renewed every 28 days?
From what I have seen, and confirmed by Vodafone, there is a 10gb rechargeable planOP: Does Vodafone even offer a monthly prepaid SIM? only thing I have seen are disposable SIMs, 10gb data then through away and buy a new one. Not too sure about UK, but my Vodafone SIM from Spain worked for data in France.
I keep my US T-Mobile on eSIM, and have one SIM slot for physical card. Looks like Airalo only offers eSIM so that doesn't work well for me. Hopefully I can find something a bit better than Vodafone this year.
Edit: my phone may support dual eSIM, if so Airalo may be the way to go.
Also per my last response, when I purchase a spanish eSIM will that not allow me to call home in US?I guess I'm kind of confused about the whole sim card topic. Having never traveled to Europe is it that my US carrier, which is Visible (Verizon), service will be too expensive? Issues with service? Other? And if I do purchase a sim or esim will my phone automatically revert back to my home carrier?
Rather than confusing you with generalities we can simplify things if we know a few things more about your phone situation.Also per my last response, when I purchase a spanish eSIM will that not allow me to call home in US?
@Rick of Rick and Peg and others - @rickrun1223 has started a new thread with his questions here:Also per my last response, when I purchase a spanish eSIM will that not allow me to call home in US?
IPhone12. I switched from Verizon and own the phone outright. I don’t believe it’s locked through current provider Visible.Rather than confusing you with generalities we can simplify things if we know a few things more about your phone situation.
1) If you bought your phone through some deal with Verizon they may have locked the phone to be able to use their network only. Is your phone locked? If it is then you need them to unlock the phone or you can't use anyone else's network.
2) What is the make and model of your phone? This lets us figure SIM and eSIM combination possiblities.
Probably not locked. One minute ago on that new thread I once again mentioned the locking. I'll edit my post to remove that question.IPhone12. I switched from Verizon and own the phone outright. I don’t believe it’s locked through current provider Visible.
That would only be if you bought a data only SIM or a very cheap prepaid plan that didn't include international minutes.Also per my last response, when I purchase a spanish eSIM will that not allow me to call home in US?
I got a Vodaphone sim at Madrid airport and I also got text messages trying to sell me stuff that I could not understand. But on the positive side when I had to recharge I just used that link to recharge my phone using my credit card, was very easy. It would show like 15 euro, 25 euro, or 40 euro and you just picked one and entered your credit card number. That was it, your recharged.It did for me in Spain and France on my 2022 Camino. I did not travel to other countries, so I can't answer the UK question. I purchased my SIM at the Pomplona Vodaphone store and renewed it while in Leon. Very economical compared to the outrageous international charges my USA carrier VERZON was charging the first few days until I got to Pomplona.
Originally, I was going to purchase an ORANGE SIM card but the ORANGE store (across the street from Vodaphone) was out of the card I wanted. The folks at Vodaphone were very helpful to set it up, although I had to wait for the one assistant that spoke English. In Leon, none of them spoke enough English to communicate with me (I'm pathetic as Spanish), so we ended up doing the recharging transaction via Google Translate. It was cumbersome but got the job done.
Oh, FYI, Vodaphone got a little annoying sending me junk text messages trying to sell me stuff. I never did figure out how to opt out. I had to copy the test each time and translate it into English via Google Translate to figure out that it was a junk text that I could delete.
I figured there was a way of doing it via the hone but everything was in Spanish and I was hesitant to click on any type of agreement I don't understand. Perhaps there was an option to change the language to English but I never found it. At any rate I did manage to get the recharge done in the Leon store with the help of Google Translate.I had to recharge I just used that link to recharge my phone using my credit card, was very easy. It would show like 15 euro, 25 euro, or 40 euro and you just picked one and entered your credit card number. That was it, your recharged.
From my research, it seems that I will need to buy a regional eSim and not one for a particular country. In walking the Camino, I will start in Portugal and end in Spain. Almost all the regional Europe plans cover all the countries in the EU. I am trying to figure out which one has the best customer service.My Spain Vodafone SIM card worked fine in France, Spain, Portugal and the UK.
I suspect that you had not set up your phone correctly.
Earlier in this threadIn another recent thread I listed the three things that are required to enable data roaming across borders.
1 Purchase a plan that allows data roaming
2 Set up data roaming in your phone's settings for that SIM card
3 Be in a country where the telecommunications companies offer data services
There are a couple of other requirements that are more obscure but if you buy your plan from a major company such as Vodafone then they won't apply.
I suspect that you had not done step 2, above
Your research is incomplete.From my research, it seems that I will need to buy a regional eSim and not one for a particular country. In walking the Camino, I will start in Portugal and end in Spain. Almost all the regional Europe plans cover all the countries in the EU. I am trying to figure out which one has the best customer service.
@DoughnutANZ might not have researched this completely either! The roaming provisions for in Europe are mandated by the EC, not by customer demand directly even if it were an influence. These arrangements have been in place for some time, but were updated recently to remove practices like data throttling. These arrangements were put in place before the UK left the EU, and it seems to me that UK providers still observe the same roaming arrangements now as they did before they left. I was able to roam in Spain and Portugal on a UK sim, and my wife was able to roam in the UK and Portugal on a Spanish sim when we were in Europe in 2023.Most plans purchased from the major telecommunications companies in any country in Europe will allow for the phone and data to work in other european countries because that is what customers demand.
Doug, I purposely didn't mention the mandated requirements. My understanding, and this may be wrong (I am sure that @Kathar1na will jump in to support you), is that the mandates only apply to voice not data.@DoughnutANZ might not have researched this completely either! The roaming provisions for in Europe are mandated by the EC, not by customer demand directly even if it were an influence. These arrangements have been in place for some time, but were updated recently to remove practices like data throttling. These arrangements were put in place before the UK left the EU, and it seems to me that UK providers still observe the same roaming arrangements now as they did before they left. I was able to roam in Spain and Portugal on a UK sim, and my wife was able to roam in the UK and Portugal on a Spanish sim when we were in Europe in 2023.
Will that change, and UK providers re-engineer their networks to remove them from this arrangement? I had expected that they might, but they haven't done so yet.
I am not sure what you mean by a 'regional plan'. I know that here in Australia the SIM providers advertise plans that cover Europe and the UK as well as other regions of the world. My wife and I both use these and have the SIM delivered to us before we leave home. But what you get is a SIM from a national provider, and that will roam across Europe. We no longer worry much about where the SIM comes from.From my research, it seems that I will need to buy a regional eSim and not one for a particular country. In walking the Camino, I will start in Portugal and end in Spain. Almost all the regional Europe plans cover all the countries in the EU. I am trying to figure out which one has the best customer service.
That isn't true, the relevant EU regulation (here) applies to both voice and data.Doug, I purposely didn't mention the mandated requirements. My understanding, and this may be wrong (I am sure that @Kathar1na will jump in to support you), is that the mandates only apply to voice not data.
Customer pressure is just as effective, sometimes more, than mandates.
Dougfitz - I have been looking at many different eSIM websites for my upcoming Camino. They have plans for individual countries and then regional plans for Europe or Asia etc. the regional plans are more expensive. Based on what you are saying, I can buy an eSIM for Spain and it should also work in Portugal? Is that correct?I am not sure what you mean by a 'regional plan'. I know that here in Australia the SIM providers advertise plans that cover Europe and the UK as well as other regions of the world. My wife and I both use these and have the SIM delivered to us before we leave home. But what you get is a SIM from a national provider, and that will roam across Europe. We no longer worry much about where the SIM comes from.
I see airalo has individual countries are for regions like Europe or Asia. The regional are more expensive. i'am only going to be in Portugal for a couple days the rest in Spain. I'am going to Spain than Portugal than Spain again.Dougfitz - I have been looking at many different eSIM websites for my upcoming Camino. They have plans for individual countries and then regional plans for Europe or Asia etc. the regional plans are more expensive. Based on what you are saying, I can buy an eSIM for Spain and it should also work in Portugal? Is that correct?
Not quite that clear cut. As far as I know all UK mobile operators allow EU roaming but the costs vary enormously. Some UK mobile companies now allow EU roaming as part of their standard contracts and pre-paid bundles. Others charge extra for service within the EU and the rates and conditions vary considerably. It makes choosing a network and calls/sms/data bundle a complicated business.These arrangements were put in place before the UK left the EU, and it seems to me that UK providers still observe the same roaming arrangements now as they did before they left.
I would follow the providers advice. Do they say that the SIM will not work outside the country for which it is bought?Dougfitz - I have been looking at many different eSIM websites for my upcoming Camino. They have plans for individual countries and then regional plans for Europe or Asia etc. the regional plans are more expensive. Based on what you are saying, I can buy an eSIM for Spain and it should also work in Portugal? Is that correct?
Is that a response to leaving the EU? I understood that up to that point they were subject to the rules of EU Regulation 2015/2120 which required retail roaming surcharges to be abolished in the EU. I don't know what transition arrangements were proposed, but I have been expecting that there would be changes following Brexit.Not quite that clear cut. As far as I know all UK mobile operators allow EU roaming but the costs vary enormously. Some UK mobile companies now allow EU roaming as part of their standard contracts and pre-paid bundles. Others charge extra for service within the EU and the rates and conditions vary considerably. It makes choosing a network and calls/sms/data bundle a complicated business.
Yes. EU roaming at no additional charge was obligatory for a while when the UK was part of the EU. Subject to some "fair use" limits on data when roaming. For a year or so after Brexit there was a transitional period when that remained in place. But at the end of the transitional period the UK networks were free to set their own policies and charges. The situation is now quite complex given the surprisingly large number of UK mobile networks and virtual operators which piggyback on the larger networks. My own choice here in the UK is a pre-paid SIM from Lycamobile which allows me to use the calls/sms/data bundle within the EU at no extra charge. Here in the UK Lycamobile operates on the EE network but while in Spain and France it switches between a range of providers.Is that a response to leaving the EU?
@dougfitz, I got curious - some of my close family members are effected by transition and post-Brexit legislation in the UK. There is an answer:I understood that up to that point they were subject to the rules of EU Regulation 2015/2120 which required retail roaming surcharges to be abolished in the EU. I don't know what transition arrangements were proposed, but I have been expecting that there would be changes following Brexit.
Yes. EU roaming at no additional charge was obligatory for a while when the UK was part of the EU. Subject to some "fair use" limits on data when roaming. For a year or so after Brexit there was a transitional period when that remained in place. But at the end of the transitional period the UK networks were free to set their own policies and charges. The situation is now quite complex given the surprisingly large number of UK mobile networks and virtual operators which piggyback on the larger networks. My own choice here in the UK is a pre-paid SIM from Lycamobile which allows me to use the calls/sms/data bundle within the EU at no extra charge. Here in the UK Lycamobile operates on the EE network but while in Spain and France it switches between a range of providers.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?