I’m thrilled to share my research on the best eSIM options for traveling to or living in Belgium in 2024. As an avid traveler and eSIM user myself, I know how frustrating it can be to deal with expensive roaming charges or trying to find a local SIM card when you arrive in a new country. eSIMs solve both of those problems, allowing you to connect to local networks easily with just a few taps on your phone.
After comparing lots of providers using my own eSIM expertise, I’m happy to recommend some great choices for getting online in Belgium smoothly. Rather than wasting precious vacation time hunting for SIM cards, save money and stress by ordering an eSIM before your trip. With a Belgium eSIM ready to use when your plane lands, you can share photos and stories from your adventure right from the start!
Why Choose an eSIM for Belgium?
Let’s start by talking about why an eSIM makes sense for travel in Belgium. As an innovation in SIM card technology, eSIMs provide a few key advantages:
Convenience
Unlike old-school physical SIM cards, eSIMs are digital. That means no more fumbling with tiny chips that seem determined to fall out of your hands and disappear in airport carpets! With an eSIM, you simply scan a QR code or download a small profile file to get connected. It just takes a few taps within your phone’s settings. Much easier!
Flexibility
Because eSIMs are totally digital, you can buy them ahead of time and switch between them easily from your phone settings. No need to go to a store and get your hands dirty swapping SIMs in and out of your device by the roadside. You can change plans or top up data in seconds.
Affordability
International roaming is notoriously pricey. eSIM providers offer much more affordable prepaid data packages specifically designed for travelers. Whether you’ll be in Belgium for a week or an entire year, you can likely find an eSIM plan that beats your normal carrier’s roaming rates.
Finding the Best eSIM for Belgium
Now that you know why an eSIM makes travel easier, let’s dig into the top options for getting connected in Belgium. Between data amounts, network quality, pricing, and ease of use, there’s lots to consider when picking the right eSIM for your needs. I’ll break things down step-by-step:
Step 1: Estimate Your Data Usage
With unlimited data eSIMs now available, data amounts matter less than before. But estimating how much you actually need for your trip can still help guide plan choices. Think about previous trips and how you used your phone:
- Light usage (email, maps, occasional social media): 1 – 2 GB
- Moderate usage (daily social, photos, light video/music): 3 – 5 GB
- Heavy usage (streaming shows/movies, video calling): 6+ GB
If you’ll stay connected to WiFi at hotels, you can get by with less mobile data. For maximum freedom, unlimited plans remove all caps so you can use data without constantly checking your remaining allowance.
Step 2: Choose From the Best eSIM Carriers for Belgium
Next up, deciding which networks and providers to consider. You’ll want an eSIM using one of Belgium’s major telecoms for reliable performance. Top options include:
- Proximus: Belgium’s #1 mobile carrier, with over 5 million subscribers locally. Known for excellent urban and rural 4G LTE coverage.
- Orange: Multinational telecom powerhouse and Belgium’s second largest mobile network. Renowned connectivity and speeds.
- BASE: The consumer brand of Telenet, using shared infrastructure for solid coverage. Well-rated for market prices.
I suggest cross-referencing your favorite eSIM providers with those networks to ensure a good experience. For example, Airalo partners with Proximus for its Belgian offerings.
Step 3: Compare eSIM Plans and Prices
Once you’ve estimated data needs and ideal networks, start comparing packages. I track Belgian eSIM options constantly, keeping paperwork handy to share my latest findings. Here are top picks across three usage levels:
Light Usage
My choice for light data needs is Airalo’s $7 2GB/15 day plan. You get 15 days of usage through Proximus with plenty of data for basics like maps, translated menus, and the occasional social media check-in. Airalo also offers affordable add-ons if you need a little more data.
Moderate Usage
Ubigi ranks among the best values for moderate use cases in my experience. Their $17.50 5GB/30 day Belgian plan delivers ample high-speed data for sharing trip photos and background music. You can even use data across Europe thanks to Ubigi’s EU roaming.
Heavy Usage
If you’ll stream shows and work remotely requiring lots of data, Holafly’s $63.80 unlimited plan is a superb choice. It offers endless full-speed data with hotspot capabilities for 30 days. Supporting video calls and HD content streaming, it’s a top pick for heavy mobile users visiting Belgium.
Tip: Don’t forget to check activation and expiration dates when comparing plans! Some eSIMs start when installed while others activate only after hitting a European network.
Activating Your Belgium eSIM
Once you’ve purchased your perfect eSIM plan for Belgium, it’s time to activate. Thankfully, it’s a straightforward process across most devices:
iPhone Activation
On iPhone XS or newer models:
- Install the eSIM app from your provider
- Open Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan
- Scan QR code or enter details to activate
Android Activation
For newer Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android phones with eSIM support:
- Install your eSIM provider’s app
- Go to Network Settings > SIM Cards > Add new SIM profile
- Scan QR code or enter eSIM details manually
Be sure to follow all prompts during activation to get completely set up. There may be verification texts or additional steps depending on the eSIM carrier.
Within a few minutes, you’ll be ready to turn on your Belgium eSIM upon landing and stay connected abroad!
Recommended eSIMs for Belgium
Now, let’s recap my top recommended eSIM options for travel in Belgium during 2024. I think each provides an excellent overall user experience at fair rates.
Airalo
I’m a devoted Airalo fan for worldwide eSIM access. Their Belgian Proximus-powered plans balance data amounts with refreshingly honest pricing. Support answers quickly when needed to keep things running smoothly. If you want a simple, reliable eSIM in Belgium from a company that constantly impresses me, choose Airalo.
Ubigi
Featuring EU roaming on top Belgian providers, Ubigi makes travel anywhere across Europe effortless. Their useful app lets you manage everything digitally, even sharing data among multiple devices conveniently. If visiting Belgium is just part of a Europe-wide adventure, Ubigi is a versatile pick.
Holafly
When unlimited data at 4G LTE speeds is the name of the game, Holafly shines. Streaming to your heart’s content, you’ll stay entertained and productive for the whole month with Holafly. Just note that their eSIMs lack hotspot or roaming capabilities. But for endless Belgian mobile data on smartphones and tablets, I love Holafly.
Using a Belgium eSIM: Final Tips
Almost ready to pack your bags for Belgium with a fresh eSIM installed? Here are my last few suggestions for smooth connectivity:
- Activate shortly before departure if your plan has a limited validity window
- Bookmark your eSIM provider’s support contacts in case of issues
- Consider pairing eSIM data with WiFi Calling to keep phones numbers accessible
- Learn how to switch between physical SIMs and eSIMs easily on your device
- Review roaming specifics if traveling to other European countries after Belgium
Have an incredible trip to Belgium! Hope these eSIM tips help you stay conveniently connected while making magical memories. No more wasted hours sourcing dodgy SIM cards at airport kiosks. Just scan that QR code and dive into your next adventure!
Let me know if you have any other questions finding the perfect eSIM plan for your travels in Belgium or elsewhere. I’m always happy to help fellow digital nomads and jet setters get the most out of eSIM tech!
