Christmas under the palm trees, New Year's Eve with your feet in the sand: many travelers swap the Christmas holidays at home for the sun. Popular destinations are Dubai, Egypt, the ABC islands and the United States. They have one thing in common: they are all outside the EU roaming zone. Your own plan won't work there the way it does in Spain or France, and without a plan your bill adds up fast.
With an eSIM you sort out your mobile data at home, in a few minutes. Below you'll find what to look out for at each destination, plus a short checklist before you leave.
Dubai and the UAE: watch out with calls
Dubai is a favorite for winter sun and a popular stopover on the way to Asia. The 5G network is excellent, so an eSIM serves you well. One thing you should know: voice and video calls via WhatsApp, FaceTime and Telegram are restricted in the United Arab Emirates, also on wifi. Messages, photos and voice notes work normally. Want to video call family at Christmas? Use a permitted app such as BOTIM, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Read more: eSIM for Dubai and the UAE.
Egypt: Red Sea, Nile and pyramids
Egypt is one of the most popular winter-sun destinations: diving near Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, a Nile cruise or the pyramids of Giza. Egypt is outside the EU, and the world add-ons from European providers are small and pricey there. An eSIM with a few GB is enough for Maps, WhatsApp and your holiday photos.
Read more: eSIM for Egypt.
Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire: Dutch Kingdom, not EU
This is the classic roaming mistake. On the ABC islands, Dutch is widely spoken and everything feels familiar, but to your provider they are abroad. The EU "roam like at home" rules don't apply there. Check what your plan charges before you leave, or get an eSIM. Island hopping? A Caribbean bundle covers all three islands.
Read more: Roaming on Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire.
The United States: Christmas in New York or Florida
Shopping in New York, sun in Florida or a road trip through California: the US is outside EU roaming too. With an eSIM you use local networks for your mobile data. Note: a travel eSIM is usually data only, so you don't get a US phone number. Your own number keeps working for WhatsApp and iMessage.
Read more: eSIM for the USA.
Checklist: online the moment you land
- Check your phone. Most devices from 2019 onwards support eSIM. Not sure? See which phones support eSIM.
- Pick your bundle. How much data you need depends on your trip. Our data calculator tells you in half a minute.
- Order before you leave. Your QR code arrives by email right away, so you can sort it out at home.
- Install at home on wifi. The eSIM is then ready to go, and your bundle only starts once you connect at your destination.
- Turn on data roaming on arrival for your eSIM profile, and you're online.
Don't want to forget anything? Also see our pre-travel checklist.
FAQ
When is the best time to buy my eSIM? A few days before you leave is fine. You install it at home, and the bundle only starts once you connect at your destination.
Does my own number keep working? Yes. Your regular SIM stays in your phone for calls and texts. The eSIM only handles your mobile data, and WhatsApp stays linked to your own number.
Can I make WhatsApp calls in Dubai? Messages yes, but voice and video calls via WhatsApp and FaceTime are restricted in the UAE, also on wifi. Use a permitted app such as BOTIM, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Does my Dutch plan work on Bonaire? Isn't it the Netherlands? Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands, but it isn't covered by the EU roaming rules. Check what your provider charges there, or get an eSIM.
Conclusion
Wherever you spend Christmas in the sun: Dubai, Egypt, the ABC islands and the US are outside your EU plan. Get your eSIM before you leave, install it at home and you're online as soon as you land. That way you can keep up with the family group chat over Christmas, without a nasty surprise on your next bill.
Looking for your bundle? See all destinations and get your eSIM before you leave.