Phone number and mobile data in a new country: SIM or eSIM

When you move to a new country to work, setting up your phone is one of the first practical steps. You need reliable mobile data for maps, messaging, and work, but you also need a local phone number for essentials like renting an apartment, opening a bank account, or communicating with employers. It is a fundamental tool for both your daily life and your professional responsibilities.

This guide explains your options for getting connected, from traditional plastic SIM cards to modern eSIMs. It also covers the important challenge of how to keep your phone number from home active, which is often tied to critical financial and security verifications, without paying high roaming fees.

Understanding your main options

You have three primary strategies for mobile connectivity when you live and work in another country. You can get a physical SIM card when you arrive, use a digital eSIM if your phone supports it, or rely on an international plan from your home provider. For long stays, a plan from your home provider is usually not a practical or cost-effective solution due to fair use policies and high costs, so most people choose between a local SIM or an eSIM.

Local physical SIM cards

A physical SIM card is the small chip you insert into your phone. Buying one from a local mobile provider in your new country is a reliable and well-established method. You can usually choose between prepaid (pay as you go) and postpaid (monthly contract) plans.

• Prepaid plans offer flexibility. You buy credit in advance for calls, texts, and data, and you can top it up as needed. There is no long-term commitment, which is ideal when you first arrive.
• Postpaid plans involve a contract, often for a year or more. They can offer better value for heavy data users and may be required for certain services. Signing up for a contract may require a local bank account, proof of address, or a residency permit.

eSIM technology

An eSIM is a digital SIM that is embedded in your phone. Instead of inserting a physical card, you download a mobile plan by scanning a QR code or using an app. Many newer smartphones support eSIM technology, often alongside a physical SIM slot. This is called dual SIM capability.

eSIMs offer great convenience. You can buy and activate a plan online before you even travel, ensuring you have data the moment you land. You can also store multiple eSIM profiles on one phone and switch between them, which is useful for frequent travelers. The main limitation is that not all phones are eSIM compatible, and in some countries, the range of local providers offering eSIM plans might be smaller than for physical SIMs.

How to choose between a physical SIM and an eSIM

Your choice depends on your phone, your destination country, and your personal needs. For many people, the best solution involves using both technologies at the same time if their phone supports dual SIM functionality.

When a physical SIM makes sense

A local physical SIM is often the most straightforward and cost-effective option, especially for long-term stays. Local providers typically offer the most competitive pricing and the largest data packages on their standard plans. If you need a local phone number immediately for administrative tasks, walking into a provider’s store to get a physical SIM is a direct way to do it. This is also your only option if your phone does not support eSIMs.

When an eSIM is a better fit

An eSIM is excellent for convenience and for managing multiple numbers. You can set up a data plan for your new country before you leave home, which saves you the trouble of finding a phone store upon arrival. If you want to keep your physical SIM slot for your number from home, an eSIM for your new country’s data is a good fit. This dual SIM setup is a popular strategy for people working abroad.

Keeping your home number for security codes

One of the biggest challenges of moving abroad is managing two-factor authentication (2FA). Many banks, government services, and online accounts send security codes via text message to your registered phone number. Losing access to that number can lock you out of your most important accounts.

Why you cannot just cancel your old plan

Simply canceling your old mobile plan means you will lose the phone number associated with it. That number can then be reassigned to someone else. You need to keep the number active and able to receive text messages while you are abroad. Forwarding texts is not always a reliable option, and many financial institutions will not send verification codes to internet-based phone numbers.

Strategies for keeping your home number

The goal is to maintain your number at the lowest possible cost while avoiding expensive international roaming charges. Here are some common approaches:

1. Switch to a low-cost prepaid plan. Before you move, contact your home mobile provider and ask to switch your number to their cheapest prepaid or pay-as-you-go plan. You can then add a very small amount of credit periodically to keep the number active. You would only use this SIM to receive important texts.
2. Ask about number-keeping options. Some providers offer a low-cost way to keep a number reserved or active while you are away. Check whether the number can still receive text messages from abroad, since that is what security codes need, and what it costs to keep it.
3. Use a dual SIM phone. This is often the most effective solution. You can keep the physical SIM card from your home country in your phone (switched to a cheap plan) and use an eSIM for your new country’s data and local calls. This way, your phone is always ready to receive texts on your old number while using the local plan for everything else.

Getting your new local number: a practical checklist

Once you decide on your approach, follow these steps to get connected in your new country.

• Check your phone’s compatibility. Before you leave, confirm that your phone is unlocked, meaning it is not restricted to one mobile provider. If you plan to use an eSIM, verify that your phone model supports it.
• Research local providers. Look up the main mobile providers in your destination country. Compare their network coverage, especially if you plan to live or work outside of major cities. Look at the general types of prepaid and postpaid plans they offer to get a sense of the options.
• Understand registration requirements. In many countries, you must register your SIM card by providing identification. This could be your passport, a visa, or a local residency card. Some countries have stricter requirements than others. Check the general process online before you arrive so you know what documents to gather before your visa.
• Decide where to buy. You can often buy a SIM card at the airport, but the plans offered there might be more expensive tourist packages. For better value, it is usually best to visit an official store of a mobile provider in the city or a certified electronics retailer.
• Activate and test your service. Once you have your new SIM or eSIM, install it and make sure it is working. Test your mobile data, make a local call, and save your new phone number. Inform your bank and other essential contacts of your new number if they need it, but be cautious about which services you switch away from your home number.

Check before you go

Rules and requirements for setting up mobile service change and vary significantly by country and your citizenship. Always verify information with official sources before you make a decision.

• The official websites of mobile providers in your destination country: Check for information on plans, coverage maps, and the documents required for SIM card registration.
• Your current mobile provider at home: Ask about unlocking your phone, switching to a low-cost plan to keep your number, and their international roaming policies and fees.
• Your phone’s manufacturer: Confirm the exact specifications of your device, including its eSIM compatibility and which network bands it supports to ensure it will work well in the new country.
• Your bank and financial institutions: Inquire about their policies for two-factor authentication and whether they can send security codes to international numbers or offer alternative verification methods.