Traveling to Belgium, planning your trip and wondering what is the best sim card for Belgium? Make sure to avoid high roaming charges. This is a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Belgium in 2024.
In this guide you will find where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, the best 4G/5G network in Belgium, my recommendation, info about EU data roaming and more about eSIMs for Belgium.
Depending on the length of my trip I either buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival or I order an eSIM on the internet.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card in Belgium
- Where to buy a sim card in Belgium
- Mobile internet providers in Belgium
- Belgium sim cards and EU data roaming
- Best 4G/5G network in Belgium in 2024
- Prices Belgium prepaid sim cards
- Best prepaid sim card for Belgium in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Belgium
- Order a prepaid sim card for Belgium online
Traveltomtom also wrote a specific guide for buying a sim card at Brussels Airport in 2024.
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!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends eSIMs for Belgium over buying a prepaid sim card in Belgium. Why? eSIMs are cheaper!
eSIM for Belgium already start from just $4.5 USD, you arrange everything online within just a couple clicks and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
For example a Jetpac eSIM for Belgium with 20 GB data is $20 USD. Other recommended eSIM providers are: Airalo, SimOptions and GigSky.
Orange has the best value prepaid sim card you can buy in Belgium and for around $16 USD you only get 5 GB data. Orange has a good 4G/5G network and good prepaid sim card deals for tourists.
If you are traveling to multiple countries around Europe then check out my guide with a comparison of the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2024.
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 eSIM 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.
Traveltomtom's goal to visit every country in the world brings me to the craziest corners of the world and everywhere I go I look for the best way to stay connected. On average I use about 30 - 40 different sim cards per year, which makes Traveltomtom the ultimate sim card specialist in the world.
Therefore on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world to help you stay connected: Europe, United Kingdom, Istanbul, Algeria, Dubai, USA, Canada, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Zambia, Djibouti, El Salvador, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, New York, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Singapore, Australia and many more.
For those who are traveling around the world, Traveltomtom recommends looking into buying an international prepaid or eSIMs for traveling abroad. These sim cards are valid in up to 140 countries.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
RELATED: Bruges Travel Guide for 2024! Don't miss out on this UNESCO World Heritage city.
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
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 eSIM is very simple, fast and convenient.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then you can also buy an international prepaid sim card for Belgium. These physical prepaid sim cards will be delivered to your home address. You can order these physical sim cards for Belgium via SimOptions.
Mobile internet providers in Belgium
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Belgium: Proximus, Base and Orange. All 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.
As of November 2024 it is now also possible to opt for an eSIM when buying a prepaid sim card in a store of Proximus, Base or Orange.
Belgium sim cards and EU data roaming
Belgium prepaid sim cards have no EU data roaming restrictions which means free EU data 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!
That said, always double check when buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Belgium.
Find more information about EU data roaming and local prepaid sim cards in Europe in my complete guide about buying a local sim card on arrival in Europe or check out my list of the best tourist sim cards for Europe in 2024. The sim cards listed in this link you can all order online.
Best 4G/5G network in Belgium in 2024
Belgium is a small country and its 4G/5G network is pretty extensive. Every tourist destination in Belgium is covered with a strong 4G/5G 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 and it is pretty widespread across the country. Pretty much all the tourist destinations in Belgium offer a 5G signal.
Base 4G/5G network coverage map
Proximus 4G/5G network coverage map
Orange 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Belgium in 2024.
Traveltomtom comes to an easy conclusion that there is a 4G/LTE signal pretty much everywhere in Belgium, even off the beaten path. Base has the smallest 4G/5G network in Belgium and Proximus is rated as the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Belgium in 2024.
Prices Belgium prepaid sim cards
The below info and prices are updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.94 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.06 USD.
Proximus
A Proximus sim card costs €10 EUR ($11 USD) and comes with €10 EUR ($11 USD) 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. eSIMs are available for tourists.
Orange
An Orange prepaid sim card costs €15 EUR ($16.5 USD) and comes with the following data plan:
- 5 GB data + 4,000 sms and 50 minutes = €15 EUR ($16.5 USD)
The above Orange prepaid sim card plan is valid for 30 days all across Europe. For more info check the Orange Belgium website. You can opt for an eSIM when buying a sim card in an Orange store in Belgium.
Base
There are 3 different Base prepaid sim card packages available:
- 1 GB data + 40 minutes & 250 sms = €10 EUR ($11 USD)
- 4 GB data + 60 minutes & 1000 sms = €15 EUR ($16.5 USD)
- 8 GB data + 100 minutes & 5,000 sms = €25 EUR ($27.5 USD)
All Base sim card credit is available for 30 days and valid in all of Europe. Check the BASE website for more info. There are eSIMs available for tourists.
Best prepaid sim card for Belgium in 2024
Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Orange is the best prepaid sim card in Belgium. They have the best prepaid sim card for tourists and they have very extensive 4G/5G network coverage.
Their best buy prepaid sim card deal is €15 EUR ($16.5 USD) you get 5 GB data.
eSIMs for Belgium are cheaper than prepaid sim cards! So the best tourist sim card for Belgium in 2024 is an eSIM.
A Jetpac eSIM for Belgium with 5 GB data is only $7 USD, that is more than 50% cheaper than an Orange prepaid sim card you can buy in Belgium.
Easy conclusion that Traveltomtom recommends tourists to order an eSIM for Belgium online.
Best eSIMs for Belgium
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Belgium in 2024 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Belgium on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Belgium eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Belgium it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Here is a selection of the best eSIMs for Belgium.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Belgium for 2024:
- 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 for more info or to order a Belgium eSIM directly online via Airalo.
The above data-only eSIMs for Belgium are from Belganet and data is only valid in Belgium. Belganet operates on both, the Base 5G and the Proximus 5G networks. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. They offer eSIMs including calls and sms as well as eSIMs with free EU data roaming.
If you would also like to make phone calls with your eSIM or you would like an eSIM with EU data roaming included then check out the Belgium eSIMs from SimOptions:
- 1 GB data-only (5G ready) for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data-only (5G ready) for 15 days = $7.90 USD
- 5 GB data-only for 15 days = $12.90 USD
- 10 GB data (5G ready) for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 15 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 15 days = $23.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data-only for 30 days = $38.40 USD (Belgium only)
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
- 100 GB data (5G ready) + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for traveling to Belgium via SimOptions.
Before ordering an eSIM for Belgium make sure your smartphone is eSIM compatible otherwise an eSIM will not work.
There are more eSIM providers tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom. Check out Jetpac, GigSky or Sim Local.
Order a prepaid sim card for Belgium online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Belgium online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Belgium with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Belgium, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Belgium:
1. O2 Go Card - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- €2 EUR calling credit
- Valid 30 days
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90 USD
- 12 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls in Europe
- Valid 30 days
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Click here for more info or to order your international prepaid sim card for traveling to Belgium via SimOptions.
Personally I can recommend the Bouygues Telecom or the Orange Holiday Europe sim card. I used it a lot for traveling to Europe and it always worked perfectly fine. That said, nowadays I always use eSIMs for traveling to Europe.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card for Belgium were helpful for your upcoming holiday. In case you have any questions don't hesitate to leave me a comment below. 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 November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Belgium!