# Which SIM should I buy here?

> Where to buy it, what it costs, and what ID they will ask for.

URL: https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/best-sim-as-a-foreigner/  
Language: English (en)

## The problem

The first purchase in any country is a SIM, where the first overcharge and the first ID check happen.

Who it hits: Every arrival.

### The shapes it takes

- Travel eSIM app versus local SIM
- ID and SIM registration rules
- Tourist SIMs with a time limit
- eSIM and unlocked-phone checks
- Keeping the home number for bank codes
- EU roaming at home prices
- Foreign phones blocked after a set time
- Airport mark-ups and pre-activated SIMs

### What this page gives you

Where to buy, what it costs, what ID they ask for.

## Where are you, and for how long?

Nothing you choose is sent anywhere.

## The four picks

- **Keep your own SIM** — Your SIM already works here at home prices — no new SIM needed.
- **A travel eSIM app** — Buy a data plan in an eSIM app before you fly and it connects when you land — no shop, no queue, no ID at a counter. Usually data only, and it costs more per GB than a local SIM.
- **A local prepaid SIM or eSIM** — The cheapest data and a local number, from one of the networks below. Buy it in town or at the airport with your passport.
- **A local SIM next to your home SIM** — Put the local SIM or eSIM in one slot and keep your home SIM in the other, with its data off — your bank's text codes still arrive.

Which one: a few days → a travel eSIM app; 2 weeks or more → a local SIM; living here → a local SIM (next to your home SIM if you need its number); an EU SIM inside the roaming area → keep it.

Your SIM and this country are both in the EU's “roam like at home” area (the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Ukraine and Moldova since January 2026): calls, texts and data cost what they cost at home, within your plan's fair-use limit.
Source: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/07/25/eu-mobile-roaming-benefits-extended-to-moldova-and-ukraine-as-of-2026/

The UK is outside the EU's roaming area: EU SIMs may pay roaming there, and UK SIMs in the EU depend on the plan — check with your operator.

## Check your phone first

- Unlocked? A phone bought on contract may only accept its own network's SIM — ask your operator, or try a friend's SIM.
- eSIM? Dial *#06#: on many phones an EID line means it takes an eSIM. On iPhone: Settings → General → About.
- Two SIMs? Most recent phones hold a physical SIM and an eSIM together, so your home number keeps receiving bank codes.
- Before you leave home, switch off data roaming on your home SIM if your plan charges for it.

## Every country's networks and rules

### Philippines

- Networks: Smart (https://smart.com.ph), Globe (https://www.globe.com.ph), DITO (https://dito.ph)
- ID: Tourists register with their passport, an address in the Philippines and a return or onward ticket. A tourist SIM works for 30 days and is extended only with an approved visa extension; other visas get a normal SIM.
- Where to buy: Airport counters and the operators' shops; convenience stores sell the SIMs, but registration is done in the operator's app.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ₱360 – ₱840 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://www.manila-shimbun.com/category/english/news268449.html

### Thailand

- Networks: AIS (https://www.ais.th), True (TrueMove H, dtac) (https://www.true.th)
- ID: Your passport, and since August 2025 a live face check at the counter. Shops at the airport charge more than in town.
- Where to buy: The operators' shops in malls, the airport counters, and convenience stores (registration still needs your passport).
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ฿210 – ฿490 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://news.travel.orange.com/en/thailand-sim-card

### Vietnam

- Networks: Viettel (https://viettel.com.vn), Vinaphone (https://vinaphone.com.vn), MobiFone (https://www.mobifone.vn)
- ID: Your passport — the shop registers the SIM to it.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ₫130,000 – ₫310,000 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Indonesia

- Networks: Telkomsel (https://www.telkomsel.com), Indosat (IM3) (https://ioh.co.id), XL (https://www.xl.co.id)
- ID: Your passport: shops sell foreigners a tourist SIM.
- Where to buy: Airport counters (tourist SIMs) and the operators' shops.
- Staying longer: A tourist SIM works for 90 days. To keep a local SIM longer, register the phone's IMEI with customs (Bea Cukai); phones worth over US$500 pay duty.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about Rp 99,000 – Rp 230,000 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://backpackmoments.com/imei-registration-in-indonesia/

### Malaysia

- Networks: CelcomDigi (https://www.celcomdigi.com), Maxis (https://www.maxis.com.my), U Mobile (https://www.u.com.my)
- ID: Your passport.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about RM 23 – RM 53 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Singapore

- Networks: Singtel (https://www.singtel.com), StarHub (https://www.starhub.com), M1 (https://www.m1.com.sg), Simba (https://simba.sg)
- ID: Your passport — every prepaid SIM is registered.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about SGD 21 – SGD 48 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Japan

- Networks: NTT docomo (https://www.docomo.ne.jp), au (KDDI) (https://www.au.com), SoftBank (https://www.softbank.jp), Rakuten Mobile (https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp)
- ID: Your passport. Visitor SIMs are data-only (some add texts); a Japanese phone number is mostly for residents with a residence card — call through apps instead.
- Where to buy: Airport counters, SIM vending machines and big electronics stores; many visitor SIMs can also be ordered online and collected at the airport.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ¥2,100 – ¥4,900 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://groups.oist.jp/node/38219

### South Korea

- Networks: SK Telecom (https://www.sktelecom.com), KT (https://www.kt.com), LG U+ (https://www.lguplus.com)
- ID: Your passport.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ₩22,000 – ₩52,000 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Taiwan

- Networks: Chunghwa Telecom (https://www.cht.com.tw), Taiwan Mobile (https://www.taiwanmobile.com), FarEasTone (https://www.fetnet.net)
- ID: Your passport.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about NT$360 – NT$840 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Hong Kong

- Networks: csl (https://www.hkcsl.com), 3HK (https://www.three.com.hk), SmarTone (https://www.smartone.com), China Mobile Hong Kong (https://www.hk.chinamobile.com)
- ID: Your passport — every prepaid SIM is registered to a real name.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about HK$140 – HK$330 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### China

- Networks: China Mobile (https://www.10086.cn), China Unicom (https://www.chinaunicom.com), China Telecom
- ID: Your passport, at an operator's own shop — every SIM is registered to a real name.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about CN¥66 – CN¥150 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### India

- Networks: Jio (https://www.jio.com), Airtel (https://www.airtel.in), Vi (https://www.myvi.in), BSNL (https://www.bsnl.co.in)
- ID: Your original passport, your Indian visa (or OCI card), your local address (a hotel booking works) and a photo the counter takes. Airport counters activate fastest.
- Where to buy: An operator's own counter at the airport or its shop in town — small shops often turn foreign passports away.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ₹230 – ₹530 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://www.travelindiasmart.com/trip-planning/sim-card-india-2026

### Cambodia

- Networks: Smart Axiata (https://www.smart.com.kh), Cellcard (https://www.cellcard.com.kh), Metfone (https://www.metfone.com.kh)
- ID: Your passport.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ៛15,000 – ៛35,000 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Türkiye

- Networks: Turkcell (https://www.turkcell.com.tr), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.com.tr), Türk Telekom (https://www.turktelekom.com.tr)
- ID: Your passport.
- Staying longer: A foreign phone works on Turkish SIMs for 120 days. After that it's blocked unless you register it and pay the registration fee (57,241 TRY in 2026) — one phone every three years.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about ₺260 – ₺600 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://turkeytravelplanner.com/details/Communications/registering_mobile_phones_in_turkey.html

### United Arab Emirates

- Networks: e& (etisalat) (https://www.etisalat.ae), du (https://www.du.ae), Virgin Mobile UAE (https://www.virginmobile.ae)
- ID: Your passport with its entry stamp or visa.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about AED 48 – AED 110 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Egypt

- Networks: Vodafone (https://web.vodafone.com.eg), Orange (https://www.orange.eg), e& (etisalat), WE (https://te.eg)
- ID: Your passport — operators sell a tourist SIM.
- Staying longer: A tourist's phone is exempt for 90 days on an Egyptian SIM; after that it's blocked unless the fees are paid in the “Telephony” app. Phones on a foreign SIM with roaming are exempt.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about E£130 – E£300 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://www.tra.gov.eg/en/?p=10745

### Morocco

- Networks: Maroc Telecom (IAM) (https://www.iam.ma), Orange (https://www.orange.ma), inwi (https://www.inwi.ma)
- ID: Your passport.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about MAD 45 – MAD 110 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Kenya

- Networks: Safaricom (https://www.safaricom.co.ke), Airtel
- ID: Your passport — every SIM is registered.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about KES 620 – KES 1,400 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### South Africa

- Networks: Vodacom (https://www.vodacom.co.za), MTN (https://www.mtn.co.za), Cell C (https://www.cellc.co.za), Telkom (https://www.telkom.co.za)
- ID: Your passport and an address — every SIM is registered (RICA).
- A local SIM with a month of data: about R 110 – R 260 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### United States

- Networks: T-Mobile (https://www.t-mobile.com), AT&T (https://www.att.com), Verizon (https://www.verizon.com)
- ID: Prepaid SIMs are usually sold without ID.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about US$18 – US$42 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Canada

- Networks: Rogers (https://www.rogers.com), Bell (https://www.bell.ca), Telus (https://www.telus.com)
- ID: Bring your passport — most countries register every SIM to an ID.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about CA$24 – CA$56 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Mexico

- Networks: Telcel (https://www.telcel.com), AT&T (https://www.att.com.mx), Movistar (https://www.movistar.com.mx), Bait
- ID: Your passport: since 9 January 2026 every new Mexican SIM or eSIM must be registered to an ID before it works.
- Where to buy: Operators' shops and convenience stores — make sure the SIM is registered to your passport before you leave the counter.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about MX$160 – MX$380 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.
- Source: https://www.rivieramayanews.mx/mexicos-cell-phone-registration-program-faces-new-backlash-over-automatic-line-linking/

### Brazil

- Networks: Vivo (https://www.vivo.com.br), Claro (https://www.claro.com.br), TIM (https://www.tim.com.br)
- ID: Bring your passport — most countries register every SIM to an ID.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about R$39 – R$91 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### United Kingdom

- Networks: EE (https://ee.co.uk), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.co.uk), Three (https://www.three.co.uk), O2 (https://www.o2.co.uk)
- ID: Prepaid SIMs are sold without ID.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about £15 – £35 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### France

- Networks: Orange (https://www.orange.fr), SFR (https://www.sfr.fr), Bouygues Telecom (https://www.bouyguestelecom.fr), Free Mobile (https://mobile.free.fr)
- ID: Your passport — prepaid SIMs are registered.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about €15 – €36 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Germany

- Networks: Telekom (https://www.telekom.de), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.de), O2 (https://www.o2online.de), 1&1 (https://www.1und1.de)
- ID: Your passport — every prepaid SIM needs an identity check (in the shop or by video).
- A local SIM with a month of data: about €15 – €36 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Spain

- Networks: Movistar (https://www.movistar.es), Orange (https://www.orange.es), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.es), Digi (https://www.digimobil.es)
- ID: Your passport — prepaid SIMs are registered.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about €13 – €30 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Italy

- Networks: TIM (https://www.tim.it), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.it), WindTre (https://www.windtre.it), Iliad (https://www.iliad.it)
- ID: Your passport — prepaid SIMs are registered.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about €14 – €32 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Portugal

- Networks: MEO (https://www.meo.pt), NOS (https://www.nos.pt), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.pt)
- ID: Bring your passport — most countries register every SIM to an ID.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about €10 – €24 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Greece

- Networks: Cosmote (https://www.cosmote.gr), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.gr), Nova (https://www.nova.gr)
- ID: Your passport — prepaid SIMs are registered.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about €9.5 – €23 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### Australia

- Networks: Telstra (https://www.telstra.com.au), Optus (https://www.optus.com.au), Vodafone (https://www.vodafone.com.au)
- ID: Your passport — prepaid SIMs need an identity check.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about A$24 – A$56 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

### New Zealand

- Networks: One NZ (https://one.nz), Spark (https://www.spark.co.nz), 2degrees (https://www.2degrees.nz)
- ID: Bring your passport — most countries register every SIM to an ID.
- A local SIM with a month of data: about NZ$28 – NZ$66 — a guide from local price levels, not a live offer.

## Where to buy

- The operators' own shops in town are cheapest and register the SIM properly.
- Airport counters are quickest on arrival, and usually cost more for the same plan.
- Avoid SIMs sold already activated in the street: they're registered to someone else and can be cut off.

## Watch out

- “Unlimited” plans usually slow down after a daily or monthly amount — read the small print.
- Nobody from a network needs your one-time code: a call or text asking for it to “register” or “keep” your SIM is a scam.

Some countries block foreign phones after a few months unless they're registered — ask the operator when you buy.

## Language

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