Which UAE eSIM plan should you choose?
Start from how you use your phone when you travel, then match a plan to the length of your trip:
- Maps, messaging and email use little data. For a short trip, a few gigabytes is usually enough.
- Social media, photos and video calls use much more. Pick a larger allowance or a longer plan.
- Streaming, hotspot for a laptop or working remotely is where unlimited plans or the largest allowances make sense.
- Validity has to cover your whole stay. If you are travelling for two weeks, a 7-day plan will run out halfway.
Our fixed-data plans for the UAE run from 1 GB to 20 GB, valid from 1 day to 30 days. Each plan page shows the exact allowance, validity and price before you buy.
Unlimited plans come with a daily high-speed allowance (1 GB to 3 GB per day on the plans we stock). Once you use it, the plan keeps working at reduced speed until the allowance resets the next day — the plan page shows the details.
These plans are data-only — they do not come with a local phone number. You can still call and message over the internet with apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Telegram.
Roaming in the UAE: why an eSIM helps
UAE is outside the EU, so EU "Roam Like at Home" rules do not cover it. Without an eSIM, your home operator’s own roaming rates apply — check them before you go, or use a local data plan like the ones above.
Does my phone support an eSIM?
Your phone needs two things: eSIM support and no carrier lock. Most recent phones have eSIM — iPhone XS, XR and newer, and most recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models — but some regional or budget versions do not.
- Check for eSIM: look for an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option in your phone’s mobile or SIM settings.
- Check the lock: a phone bought on contract may be locked to your operator. Ask them to unlock it before you travel.