Traveling to Belgium and planning your trip? Make sure to stay connected and avoid high roaming charges when visiting Belgium, get yourself an e-sim card for Belgium or a prepaid sim card for Belgium.
This is a complete guide for the best way to stay connected when traveling to Belgium. Find out everything about buying a prepaid sim card in Belgium, the best e-sim cards for Belgium, where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per August 2023, the best 4G/5G network in Belgium, my recommendation info about EU roaming, international sim cards and more.
Staying connected is the first thing I look for when arriving in a new country, it simply makes traveling much easier. Depending on the length of my trip I either Buy a local prepaid sim card or I quickly get myself an e-sim card online.
Since I am aiming to visit every country in the world I get to see a lot of cities and countries and therefore on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides to help you stay connected: Europe, UK, Istanbul, Algeria, Dubai, USA, Canada, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Zambia, Djibouti, El Salvador, Cameroon, New York, Dominican Republic, Colombia and many more.
Flying to Brussels Airport? Check out my guide for buying a sim card at Brussels Airport in 2023.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends e-sim cards for Belgium. If your phone is e-sim compatible than it is the easiest and the cheapest way to stay connected. Belgium e-sim card plans already start from $4.5 USD and you arrange everything online within just a couple clicks.
If you want to buy a prepaid sim card in Belgium then go for an Orange sim card as it gives you the best value for money compared to Base and Proximus. But for €15 EUR you only get 5 GB data, e-sim cards for Belgium are cheaper.
We also recommend buying international prepaid or e-sim cards for traveling abroad, especially for traveling in Europe. In the link you will find my comparison of the best sim cards for travelers in 2023. Pick the one that suits your trip to Europe. You can already find 10 GB data for $24.90 USD as an e-sim card or as prepaid sim card.
Best e-sim cards for Belgium
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Belgium in 2023 is an e-sim card. Forget about swapping sim cards or visiting a sim card store, you can fix it all online. You order an e-sim card on the internet, receive a QR code on your phone, scan it, follow the simple steps and you are connected in just a couple clicks.
Check out the following e-sim card plans for Belgium:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12.50 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
Click here to order a Belgium e-sim card directly online.
The above data-only e-sim cards for Belgium are from Belganet and data is only valid in Belgium. Belganet operates on both, the Base 5G and the Proximus 5G networks.
If you would also like to make phone calls with your e-sim card or you would like an e-sim card with EU roaming included then check out the following international e-sim cards that are valid in up to 70 countries:
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 8 GB + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 20 GB + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to directly order an international e-sim card for traveling to Belgium.
Before ordering an e-sim card for Belgium make sure your smartphone is e-sim compatible otherwise an e-sim will not work.
There are also still physical sim cards for Belgium, especially for those with a smartphone that is not e-sim compatible. You can order directly online and these sim cards will be shipped to your home address before your trip. For $24.90 USD you get 10 GB data in all of Europe, great Europe sim card deal actually. Click here to order this international sim for Belgium card directly online or find more info.
Belgium sim cards and EU roaming
Belgium prepaid sim cards have no EU roaming restrictions which means free EU roaming is included. All your data, voice and text allowance on your Belgium sim card is also valid in Rome, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and everywhere else in Europe at NO EXTRA COSTS!
Find more information about EU roaming and local prepaid sim cards in Europe in my complete guide with tips about buying a local sim card on arrival in Europe or check out my list of the best sim cards for Europe in 2023 that you can buy directly online.
Why buying a sim card in Belgium
First of all to avoid high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming packages. Did you know that most providers reduce the data speed when traveling abroad. The solution: a local prepaid sim card, an international sim card or an e-sim card for Belgium.
Traveling with a data connection on your phone is so much more convenient. Ordering taxis through an app, getting directions from Google Maps, finding nearby restaurants and friends, emergencies and so on. I can come up with a ton of reasons why staying connected is vital when traveling.
Also don't rely on public WiFi. There is no guarantee it is working or the connection is fast enough. Keep in mind that roaming the internet public WiFi is through an unsecured network connection. The use of a VPN is recommended in these cases to protect your data.
If swapping sim cards and changing phone numbers is something you don't prefer then look into renting or buying a portable WiFi device. Personally, I am NOT a fan, read here: how to get WiFi when traveling the world. These things are old school. We are in 2023 and there are e-sim cards!
RELATED: Bruges Travel Guide for 2023! Don't miss out on this UNESCO World Heritage city.
Mobile internet providers in Belgium
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Belgium: Proximus, Base and Orange. All these operators sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. On top of that you can also buy Lebara sim cards and Lycamobile sim cards in convenience stores around Brussels. These are so-called MVNO's and they operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet providers.
Where to buy a sim card in Belgium
Brussels Airport
The most convenient place to buy a Belgium prepaid sim card is of course on arrival at Brussels Airport. In the baggage claim area there is a sim card shop and there is a WH Smith convenience store in the arrival hall where you can buy a sim card for tourists. For more detailed info check my complete guide for buying a sim card at Brussels Airport.
Brussels City Center
All of the big cities and tourists destination in Belgium have multiple mobile phone stores and sim card shops. They can be found all over the city center. Belgium is not a country with big malls, shops are concentrated in the historical center of the cities. Keep in mind that Belgium is bi-lingual and especially in the French speaking part, English is not widely spoken. Find the nearest phone shop by using Google Maps.
Gas station / Convenience Store
You can also buy prepaid sim cards at some gas stations as well as bigger convenience stores. These sim cards are already activated but you will need to top up with credit and then choose for example an internet package. It is possible to do it this way, but you will have to figure out everything yourself and it is NOT necessarily cheaper. Therefore Traveltomtom advices you to buy your Belgium prepaid sim card from an official retail store.
Online
I already mentioned it multiple times but the easiest place to buy a sim card for Belgium is on the internet. Arrive prepared and be online as soon as the phone touches the ground. Ordering an e-sim card is very simple, but you can also buy an international prepaid sim card for Belgium and get it delivered to your home address before your trip.
Best 4G/5G network in Belgium in 2023
Belgium is a small country and its 4G network is pretty extensive. Every tourist destination in Belgium is covered with a strong 4G signal, even if you go off the beaten path. Let's compare the Belgium network coverage maps of all the mobile internet operators and let's find out which provider has the best mobile data network.
Is there 5G in Belgium?
Yes, there is 5G in Belgium! However, as of 2023 it is not as extensive as in other European countries. The 5G network in Belgium is very poor compared to other countries in Europe. Come on Belgium, you are one of the last countries in Europe who does NOT have a proper 5G network!
Base 4G/5G network coverage map
Proximus 4G/5G network coverage map
Orange 4G/5G network coverage map
From the above Belgium network coverage maps we can clearly see that there is a 4G signal pretty much everywhere, but the Orange 5G network is pretty small compared to especially Base. Base has the best 5G network in Belgium in 2023.
Prices Belgium prepaid sim cards
The below info and prices are updated as per August 2023. Prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.91 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.10 USD.
Proximus
A Proximus sim card costs €10 EUR and comes with €10 EUR credit for calling/texting + 3 GB data + 500 sms + 10 minutes. Very simple, easy and straight forward. All credit is valid for 30 days all over Europe. Top up is possible of course. Check the Proximus website for more info.
Orange
An Orange prepaid sim card costs also €15 EUR and comes with the following data plan:
- 5 GB data + 4,000 sms and 50 minutes = €15 EUR
The above Orange prepaid sim card plan is valid for 30 days all across Europe. For more info check the Orange Belgium website.
Base
There are 3 different Base prepaid sim card packages available:
- 1 GB data + 40 minutes & 250 sms = €10 EUR
- 4 GB data + 60 minutes & 1000 sms = €15 EUR
- 8 GB data + 100 minutes & 5,000 sms = €25 EUR
All Base sim card credit is available for 30 days and valid in all of Europe. Check the BASE website for more info.
Best sim card for Belgium in 2023
Comparing the Belgium prepaid sim cards for tourists I come to the conclusion that an Orange prepaid sim card is the best buy. For €15 EUR you get 5 GB data. However, the Orange 5G network is rather small and with a Base sim card you will enjoy faster data speed.
But in the beginning of the article I also showed you that an e-sim card for Belgium with 5 GB data costs you only $12.5 USD, that is significantly cheaper, plus you can order an e-sim card online and a Belgium prepaid sim card you can only buy in Belgium on arrival.
Now you understand why Traveltomtom recommends e-sim cards for staying connected when traveling to Belgium in 2023.
If you are a fan of a lot of data there are also prepaid sim cards or the e-sim card version of a Europe travel sim card with 20 GB data for $49.90 USD. Check below for more info.
Buy a sim card for Belgium online
For traveling in Europe there are much better prepaid sim cards to be found than the deals you can find in Belgium. All the below pre-activated international sim cards work in Belgium and Europe and can be ordered directly online:
Three Data Pack 10 GB - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 8 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- Valid 14 days
Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 20 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Three PAYG MBB 12 GB - $59.90
- 12 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Valid for 1 year
Three PAYG MBB 24 GB - $79.90
- 24 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Valid for 2 years
Click here to order an international sim card for traveling in Belgium.
Personally I can recommend the Orange Holiday Europe sim card. I used it a lot for traveling to Europe and it always worked perfectly fine. Nowadays I use the e-sim card version for traveling to Europe.
A last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can also order a data-only e-sim card for Belgium or get an e-sim card with calling minutes and free EU roaming included.
I hope the above tips for buying a sim card for Belgium were helpful for your upcoming holiday in Belgium. In case you have any questions don't hesitate to leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media. I am more than happy to help you out with everything Belgium travel related.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of August 2023 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Belgium!
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for Belgium are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using the an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!