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This guide compares eSIM providers available for travelers and expats in Poland. You'll find plan prices, network coverage details, setup instructions for iPhone and Android, and answers to common questions about using an eSIM in Poland.
The following eSIM providers offer prepaid data plans that work in Poland. Most are data-only, meaning you can use the internet but not make traditional phone calls. Orange Holiday is the exception, offering voice calls and SMS alongside data.
Data-only
Best for: Short trips, budget travelers who mainly need data for maps and messaging.
Visit AiraloData-only (unlimited)
Best for: Travelers who don't want to worry about data limits. Good for heavy users.
Visit Holafly
Data + calls + SMS
Best for: Business travelers who need to make phone calls, or anyone visiting multiple EU countries.
Visit Orange HolidayData-only
Best for: Alternative to Airalo with similar pricing. Worth checking for discounts.
Visit NomadData-only
Best for: Security-conscious travelers. Slightly cheaper than Airalo on some plans.
Visit SailyPrices shown are approximate and may change. Check provider websites for current pricing. This page contains affiliate links.
The table below compares starting prices across providers for similar plan sizes. All prices are approximate and may vary depending on promotions.
| Provider | 1 GB | 3 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | $4.50 | $8 | $13 | $19 | No |
| Holafly | Unlimited data: 5 days €6, 10 days €12, 15 days €17, 30 days €27 | No | |||
| Orange Holiday | 8 GB €24.99, 20 GB €39.99, 30 GB €49.99 (incl. calls) | Yes | |||
| Nomad | $5 | $8 | $12 | $20 | No |
| Saily | $4.49 | $7.49 | $11.99 | $16.99 | No |
Prices as of 2026. Validity periods vary (typically 7-30 days). Check each provider for exact current pricing.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card embedded in your phone. Instead of inserting a physical card, you scan a QR code and activate a data plan remotely. Not every phone supports eSIM, and not every use case is better served by one. Here's how they compare.
| Feature | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| How to get it | Buy online, scan QR code | Buy at airport kiosk, carrier store, or Zabka |
| Available before arrival | Yes | Only via online order with shipping |
| Keep your home number | Yes, both SIMs work simultaneously | Need to swap SIMs or have dual-SIM phone |
| Voice calls & SMS | Usually no (except Orange Holiday) | Yes, included in most prepaid plans |
| ID registration | Not required for tourist eSIMs | Required (passport or ID) since 2017 |
| Device compatibility | iPhone XS+, Pixel 3+, Galaxy S20+, etc. | Any unlocked phone with SIM slot |
| Typical cost (1 week, data) | $4.50 - $13 | 15 - 30 PLN ($4 - $8) |
In short: Choose an eSIM if you want to be connected the moment you land, need only data, and your phone supports it. Choose a physical SIM if you need a Polish phone number for calls, or if your phone doesn't support eSIM. For more on physical SIM options, see our SIM card guide for Poland.
The right eSIM depends on your trip length, data needs, and whether you need phone calls. Here are the most common scenarios.
For a weekend trip or short vacation, you'll mainly need data for navigation, messaging apps, and social media. 1-3 GB is usually enough if you use hotel WiFi in the evenings.
Recommended: Airalo or Saily 1-3 GB plan ($4.50 - $8).
Longer stays mean more data usage. If you need to make phone calls for hotel bookings or business meetings, Orange Holiday is the only eSIM option that includes calls and SMS.
Recommended: Holafly unlimited (from €12/10 days) if you want worry-free data, or Orange Holiday (€24.99) if you need calls.
If Poland is one stop on a broader European trip, Orange Holiday works across 30+ EU countries with the same data and call allowance. Airalo and Holafly offer separate regional Europe eSIMs.
Recommended: Orange Holiday Europe (€24.99 - €49.99).
Tourist eSIMs are not cost-effective for long stays. If you're relocating to Poland or staying for several months, consider getting a local SIM card or contract from a Polish carrier (Orange, Play, Plus, or T-Mobile). These offer much better rates for ongoing use.
Recommended: Local Polish SIM card. See our SIM card guide.
If you're looking for a way to spend money in Poland without foreign transaction fees, services like Revolut or Wise offer fee-free PLN transactions and real exchange rates. Revolut also offers a limited eSIM/roaming feature, though dedicated eSIM providers are usually better value for data.
The process is the same regardless of which provider you choose. You can complete the setup at home before your trip.
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Go to Settings > General > About (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM card manager (Android). If there's an option to add an eSIM or mobile plan, your device is compatible.
Download the provider's app or visit their website. Select a Poland plan, choose your data amount and validity period, and pay. You'll receive a QR code via email or directly in the app.
iPhone:Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. Scan the code.
Android:Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Add eSIM. Scan the code.
Label your new eSIM (e.g., "Poland") to distinguish it from your home SIM. Set it as the default line for mobile data. Keep your home SIM as default for calls and messages if you want to stay reachable on your regular number. Make sure Data Roaming is turned on for the eSIM line.
Some eSIMs activate immediately upon installation, others start when you first connect to a network in Poland. Check your provider's policy. With Airalo, you can choose the activation timing. Orange Holiday begins counting validity days from first use in the EU.
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio - pexels.com
Poland has four major mobile networks: Orange, Play, Plus (Polkomtel), and T-Mobile. All four offer nationwide 4G/LTE coverage and have expanding 5G networks in major cities. Most tourist eSIM providers use the Orange Poland network, which has the broadest coverage at 99.9% population reach.
Excellent coverage everywhere. 5G available in central areas of Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, Lodz, and Katowice. All eSIM providers work reliably in urban areas.
Solid 4G coverage along major highways (A1, A2, A4, S7, S8) and in smaller cities. Rest stops and gas stations generally have good signal. No issues for navigation or messaging.
Coverage can be weak or absent in the Tatra Mountains (above ~1000m), Bieszczady region, deep forest areas, and remote villages in eastern Poland. Download offline maps before visiting these areas.
Free WiFi: Widely available in Poland. Most hotels, cafes (including chains like Costa, Starbucks), shopping malls, airports (Chopin, Balice, Walesa), and train stations offer free WiFi. Many restaurants and even some public transport have it as well.
If you're living in Poland or staying long-term, you can get an eSIM directly from a Polish carrier. This gives you a Polish phone number, local rates, and better value for ongoing use compared to tourist eSIMs.
| Operator | eSIM available | How to get it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Poland | Yes (postpaid and prepaid) | Online or in-store | Requires ID registration. Best coverage. |
| T-Mobile Poland | Yes (postpaid and prepaid) | In-store or via app | Requires ID registration. |
| Play | Yes (postpaid and prepaid) | In-store or via app | Requires ID registration. Best 5G in some cities. |
| Plus (Polkomtel) | Yes (postpaid) | In-store | Requires ID registration. Prepaid eSIM limited. |
All Polish operators require ID registration (passport or Polish ID card) to activate a SIM or eSIM. This applies to both prepaid and postpaid plans. You can typically handle this at any carrier store - staff in larger cities often speak English. For more details, see our SIM card guide.
iPhones from XS/XR (2018) onward, Google Pixel 3 and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer, Huawei P40 and later, and most Android flagship phones released from 2020 onward. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked. To check: go to Settings > General > About (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM card manager (Android) and look for an "Add eSIM" option.
Yes. All tourist eSIM providers (Airalo, Holafly, Orange Holiday, Nomad, Saily) allow you to purchase and install an eSIM from anywhere in the world. You receive a QR code that you scan to install the eSIM on your phone. This is one of the main advantages of eSIM over physical SIM cards.
No, not for tourist eSIMs. Airalo, Holafly, Orange Holiday, Nomad, and Saily do not require a Polish address, PESEL, or local ID. You only need a payment method. If you want a local Polish eSIM from Orange, Play, T-Mobile, or Plus, you will need to register with an ID document (passport or EU ID card).
Most tourist eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily) are data-only. You cannot make regular phone calls or send SMS with them. However, you can make calls over the internet using WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, or other VoIP apps. Orange Holiday is the exception - it includes voice calls and SMS in all plans, along with a phone number. If you need to call Polish landlines (e.g., for hotel or restaurant bookings), Orange Holiday is the best option.
Yes. Most modern phones support dual SIM: one physical SIM and one eSIM active simultaneously. You can keep your home SIM for calls and texts while using the Polish eSIM for data. In your phone settings, you choose which SIM handles calls, texts, and data. Some newer phones (iPhone 14 US model, Pixel 7+) support two eSIMs without a physical SIM slot.
Yes, if your phone supports 5G and you're in a 5G coverage area. Poland's four major operators (Orange, Play, Plus, T-Mobile) offer 5G in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, and other large cities. Your eSIM will connect to 5G automatically when available and fall back to 4G/LTE elsewhere.
With Airalo and Nomad, you can buy a top-up directly in the app. With Holafly, you can extend your plan. Orange Holiday plans cannot be topped up, but you can purchase a new eSIM. Free WiFi is also widely available in Poland at hotels, cafes, shopping malls, airports, and train stations, so you're unlikely to be completely without internet.
Yes. Most hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs include free WiFi. Cafes (including chains like Costa Coffee and Starbucks), shopping malls, all three major airports (Warsaw Chopin, Krakow Balice, Gdansk Walesa), and main train stations offer free WiFi. Speeds and reliability vary. For sensitive activities like banking, using your own eSIM data connection is safer than public WiFi.
Choose a provider, scan the QR code, and you'll have data the moment your plane touches down.
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