Best Tourist Sim Cards in Belgium in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Belgium across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a visit to Belgium, having a reliable sim card is essential for seamless communication and easy navigation. Whether you need to find the best restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, or share precious moments with your family through photos, internet access plays a crucial role.
While roaming is an option, international fees can accumulate quickly, making it more cost-effective to opt for either an eSIM or a local sim card for access to local phone rates. Fortunately, obtaining either of these options in Belgium is a straightforward process, but it’s important to know which one suits your needs best.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide all the information you require to purchase a sim card in Belgium, including current pricing details and recommendations for the top sim card options available.
The best sim card in Belgium is the Airalo Belgium eSim. Belgium is one of the unique countries where it is both cheaper and more convenient to purchase an eSim than it is to purchase a physical sim card from a local mobile network operator.
For most people visiting Belgium I recommend the $12.5 USD (11.5 EUR) Airalo eSim which includes 5GB of data or the $9 USD (8 EUR) Airalo eSim which includes 3GB of data, both valid for 30 days.
The interesting part is that Airalo even uses the Proximus network which is the best network in Belgium. If your phone supports eSims then it really makes no sense to buy a local sim card. Just buy your Airalo eSim before you depart then activate it when you arrive in the airport with the free wifi – no need to visit a store or install a physical sim card.
If your phone isn’t esim compatible (most phones these days are, including all iPhones since 2018), then the best local sim card in Belgium is the 10 EUR Pay&Go+ prepaid card by Proxumus. When you buy this sim card you pay 10 EUR and get 10 EUR credit and 3GB of data making this the cheapest prepaid sim card option in Belgium. The only annoying part is that you’ll need to top up extra if you want more than 3GB data and 3GB isn’t a lot.
A Tourist Sim Card in Belgium costs 11.5 EUR (12.5 USD) in April 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Belgium will cost between $4.50 USD and $30 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Belgium which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $12.50 USD.
In Belgium there are three. main sim card providers that dominate the market: Orange, Proximus and Base.
Proximus is the best network in Belgium with extensive coverage and fast download speeds across the entire country as well as the fastest, most extensive 5G network.
Proximus is the best option for tourists looking for a physical sim card, however, all three networks will be more than good enough for any visitors. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, an Airalo eSim is a better option in Belgium as it works out cheaper and is more convenient.
Orange is one of the leading mobile network operators in Europe and offers a good sim card for tourists visiting Belgium. Although their network is less extensive than Proximus, Belgium is a small country and you’re unlikely to run into any issues with connectivity.
Orange is an absolutely suitable pick for anyone, especially if you are planning to explore the EU as you can be confident that the sim card will work well on the Orange network all across the continent.
The price of a Orange tourist sim card in Belgium is 15 EUR.
The plan offered by Orange stores includes 5GB data + 50 minutes + 4,000 texts valid for 30 days.
Proximus is the largest telco in Belgium and, as a result, boasts the strongest, most extensive mobile network across the country.
If you’re looking for the best physical sim card in Belgium then head into a Proximus store and they’ll get you set up quickly. Their plans offer good amounts of data for competitive prices and work everywhere in Belgium, as well as across the EU.
Bear in mind, I found it works out cheaper to purchase the Airalo eSim instead which uses the exact same Proximus network.
The price of a Proximus tourist sim card in Belgium is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by Proximus stores offers 3GB data valid for 30 days.
Base is also one of the leading sim card providers in Belgium. As with Orange, you are unlikely to notice the fact that their network is slightly less extensive than Proximus.
if Base is more convenient for you when visiting Belgium then I recommend opting for this. It’s roughly the same price and it will work just as well, but if you get the choice go for Proximus or Orange.
The price of a Base tourist sim card in Belgium is 15 EUR.
The plan offered by Base stores includes 4GB data + 60 minutes + 1000 SMS valid for 30 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Belgium: Orange, Proximus and Base are your best options in Belgium.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Belgium. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Belgium to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Orange, Proximus or Base staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Orange that includes 5GB data + 50 minutes + 4,000 texts for 15 EUR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 11.5 EUR (12.5 USD) to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Belgium at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Belgium then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Belgium have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Orange, Proximus and Base. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Belgium are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Belgium with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Belgium. The Airalo Belgium eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $12.50 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Belgium without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Belgium is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Belgium and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Belgium eSim uses the BASE and Proximus networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the BASE and Proximus networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Belgium.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Belgium eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $12.50 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $20 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $30 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $12.50 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Belgium eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Belgium eSim uses the Proximus PLCnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Belgium
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Belgium eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
Embedded SIM (eSIM) is a digital SIM card that is permanently built into devices like smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. Unlike physical SIM cards, it doesn’t require insertion or removal.
Instead of a physical card, the eSIM is an integral part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely programmed and activated by a mobile network operator. This enables users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or those who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and use voice, data, and messaging services just like with a physical SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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