The State of eSIM in Europe
A gigabyte of mobile data now runs a median of $0.94 across Europe. But the cheapest markets are not the best ones, and the gap between price and network quality is the real story this month.
Europe eSIM pricing in September 2026
Across 43 European destinations we track, the median price of mobile data is now $0.94 per gigabyte (mean $1.73), stable since August 2026.
The cheapest data and the best networks rarely sit in the same country. Our price-per-GB index and mobile speed index track both sides, so you can weigh cost against coverage before you buy.
Where eSIM data is cheapest in Europe
Turkey is the cheapest market we track at $0.83 per GB.:
| Destination | Price / GB | NQI | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $0.83 | 82 | Turkcell |
| Germany | $0.94 | 95 | Deutsche Telekom |
| Spain | $0.94 | 96 | Movistar |
| Italy | $0.94 | 96 | TIM |
| Portugal | $0.94 | 95 | MEO |
| Belgium | $0.94 | 95 | Proximus |
| Switzerland | $0.94 | 99 | Swisscom |
| Austria | $0.94 | 92 | A1 |
The catch: several pair low prices with mid-tier networks. Cheap data is only a bargain if coverage holds where you travel, check the mobile speed index first.
The most expensive European markets
At the other end, the priciest markets we track pair a higher price with a stronger network:
| Destination | Price / GB | NQI |
|---|---|---|
| Monaco | $27.13 | 97 |
| Andorra | $3.63 | 96 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | $2.63 | 82 |
| North Macedonia | $2.04 | 82 |
| Albania | $1.54 | 82 |
| Serbia | $1.54 | 82 |
Network quality across Europe
The average network quality across Europe is 92/100. The top is a global elite:
| Destination | NQI |
|---|---|
| Cyprus | 100 |
| Netherlands | 99 |
| Switzerland | 99 |
| Greece | 99 |
| Denmark | 99 |
| Lithuania | 99 |
Cyprus (100/100) leads. Networks at the bottom of the table can drop to slower speeds outside the main cities.
Real-world speed across Europe
Price and network quality say nothing about raw throughput. Our mobile speed index scores each destination out of 100, built on Ookla median download speeds. The European average sits at 71/100.
A high score means video calls, streaming and tethering run without friction. A mid score is still plenty for maps, messaging and browsing. The index reflects measured median speeds, not operator marketing.
| Destination | MSI | NQI |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 92 | 82 |
| Denmark | 86 | 99 |
| Netherlands | 83 | 99 |
| North Macedonia | 83 | 82 |
| Norway | 82 | 97 |
| Iceland | 82 | 98 |
| France | 79 | 97 |
| Portugal | 79 | 95 |
| Slovenia | 79 | 90 |
| Estonia | 79 | 90 |
What changed since August 2026
Prices eased again, with the steepest cuts in premium markets:
| Destination | August 2026 | September 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monaco | $28.63 | $27.13 | -1.50 |
| Albania | $1.54 | $1.54 | 0.00 |
| Andorra | $3.63 | $3.63 | 0.00 |
| Austria | $0.94 | $0.94 | 0.00 |
| Belgium | $0.94 | $0.94 | 0.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | $2.63 | $2.63 | 0.00 |
All figures as of September 2026. Free to cite under CC BY 4.0 with attribution to DriftEuropa. Source: data-europe.json.
Frequently asked questions
What period does this market report cover?
This edition covers September 2026 and compares the current regional picture with the previous monthly snapshot.
How is price per GB calculated?
Prices come from the shared open dataset and use the median of mid-tier travel-eSIM plans, excluding teaser and bulk bundles.
Can I cite or reuse this report?
Yes. The figures and charts are published under CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Drift Europa and a link to the report or source dataset.
Where can I inspect the underlying data?
Open the data-europe.json file linked from this report or use the regional tools hub for the latest indexes.
Pick your Europe eSIM with the data
Compare prices and coverage across 43 destinations.