If you’re searching for the best eSIM for Berlin, I tested Sim Local during our trip to Berlin to see whether it could keep us connected without expensive roaming charges, physical SIM cards or the daily hunt for public WiFi.
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The result was exactly what I needed. I installed the eSIM before travelling, connected when we arrived and then barely had to give it another thought.
No WiFi hunting. No surprise roaming fees. Just instant data for maps, transport, messages and sharing our Berlin trip as it happened.
You can also get 5% off a Sim Local eSIM using my discount code: IRISHTRAVEL
Disclosure: Sim Local gifted me the eSIM. As always, everything in this guide is based on my own experience using it in Berlin.
Read Next: The Ultimate Berlin Travel Guide: Sights, Culture, and Insider Tips
Sim Local Germany eSIM in a Nutshell
Provider: Sim Local
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Plan used: Unlimited Sim Local Germany eSIM
Trip length: 3 days
Connection: 4G and 5G
Best for: Maps, transport apps, WhatsApp, social media and regular browsing
Discount: 5% off with code IRISHTRAVEL
My verdict: Easy to install, connected quickly and worked without any fuss
Why Having Data in Berlin Is So Useful
My phone does a frankly unreasonable number of jobs whenever I travel. It is a map, transport planner, ticket wallet, translator, restaurant finder, camera and occasional “where on earth is the hotel?” emergency service.
Berlin is spread across a huge area, so you will probably use public transport and navigation apps throughout the day. Having mobile data meant I could check routes, change plans, pull up bookings and find the next stop without waiting for café or hotel WiFi.
Above: Putting the unlimited 5G Sim Local Germany eSIM to good use and hunt down the best vegan curry wurst in Berlin. PS: Found it.
That might not sound essential until you are standing at the wrong station entrance with two minutes until your train.
Having access to unlimited data with the Sim Local Germany eSIM also meant that I could post photos and videos as we travelled rather than saving everything until we were back at the hotel.
Read Next: How to Travel More With a Full-Time Job: Understanding the 9-5 Travel Trilemma
What Is a Sim Local eSIM?
An eSIM is essentially a digital SIM card that is installed directly onto a compatible phone.
There is no tiny plastic card to swap, no need to remove your normal SIM and no airport kiosk required. You choose a plan, install it through the Sim Local app or using the instructions provided, and then select it as your mobile data connection.
Your normal SIM can remain inside your phone, which is useful if you still want access to your usual number for WhatsApp or incoming verification messages.
Sim Local offers prepaid plans for Germany as well as wider European plans. Its current Sim Local Germany eSIM range includes smaller fixed-data packages and unlimited options with either 5GB or 10GB of full-speed data each day. Plan lengths currently range from three to 30 days, depending on the package selected.
Why I Used Sim Local in Berlin, Germany
I had already used eSIMs on previous trips, so I knew how much easier they could make the first few hours in a new destination.
Instead of landing and joining long airport queues to purchase a regular SIM, I could have everything installed before leaving home and hop on the first train into the city.
Sim Local provided us with an unlimited Germany eSIM for our Berlin trip. The unlimited plan particularly appealed to me because I use considerably more data than the average person when travelling (and at home).
I am regularly uploading videos, searching for locations, backing up photos and checking social media.
Read Next: How to Travel More Without Quitting Your Job (The Ultimate Realistic Guide for 9-5 Workers)
Which Sim Local eSIM Plan Is Best for Berlin?
The right plan will depend on how long you are visiting and what you normally use your phone for.
For a short Berlin city break, I would roughly break the options down like this:
| Traveller type | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| Occasional maps and messages | 1GB to 3GB |
| Maps, browsing and regular social media | 5GB to 10GB |
| Longer trip or frequent video use | 20GB |
| Heavy use, uploading content or hotspotting | Unlimited plan |
Above: My Sim Local Germany eSIM Data Guide.
Sim Local’s current unlimited Germany plans include a set amount of full-speed data each day. Some provide 5GB of high-speed data per day, while the Unlimited Pro plans provide 10GB per day. It is worth checking that allowance rather than assuming every unlimited package is identical.
For most people spending a weekend in Berlin, 5GB or 10GB should be plenty. I would choose unlimited data again because posting travel content can rinse through an allowance surprisingly quickly.
How Easy Was the Sim Local eSIM to Install?
Honestly, setting up my Sim Local Germany eSIM was very easy.
I set everything up before travelling while I still had a reliable WiFi connection. That is the best time to install an eSIM because nobody wants to begin troubleshooting mobile settings beside an airport baggage carousel.
The basic process is:
- Choose the Sim Local Germany eSIM or Europe plan through Sim Local.
- Purchase the plan using the website or app.
- Open the Sim Local app and find the plan under My eSIM.
- Select Install Plan and download it to your phone.
- Give the new SIM a clear name, such as “Berlin” or “Sim Local”.
- When you arrive, select the Sim Local eSIM for mobile data.
- Switch data roaming on for the Sim Local line.
- Make sure mobile data switching is off to prevent your phone jumping back to your usual SIM.
Sim Local says most plans activate once you arrive at the destination, although travellers should always check the activation terms attached to their specific package. The official setup guide also recommends keeping the installation screen open while the plan downloads.
How Well Did Sim Local Work in Berlin?
This is the most important part: My Sim Local Germany eSIM connected quickly and then kept going all weekend.
I did not need to chase public WiFi, constantly restart my phone or keep checking whether I had accidentally switched back to my regular mobile network.
We used the connection for everyday travel tasks including:
- Navigating around Berlin
- Checking public transport routes
- Ordering Uber rides
- Opening tickets and booking confirmations
- Searching for restaurants and attractions
- Using WhatsApp
- Uploading photos and videos
- Browsing and checking social media
The experience felt much closer to using my normal mobile data at home than relying on temporary travel WiFi.
That is exactly what I want from an eSIM. It should make travelling easier, not become another piece of technology that needs constant attention.
Was the Unlimited Data Actually Unlimited?
This is one detail worth understanding before choosing a plan.
Sim Local markets its unlimited Germany plans as unlimited, but the amount of full-speed data varies. Its current packages include options with either 5GB or 10GB of high-speed data per day.
That is still a massive daily allowance for a city break.
Even with maps, social media, messaging and frequent uploads, most travellers are unlikely to use 5GB in one day. The 10GB Unlimited Pro option is better suited to content creators, remote workers or anyone planning to stream and hotspot heavily.
Do Travellers from Ireland Need an eSIM for Berlin?
Not necessarily.
Customers with an Irish mobile plan can generally use their domestic calls, messages and data while travelling in Germany under the EU’s Roam Like at Home rules, although fair-use limits can still apply.
Travellers using a mobile contract from the UK need to check their own provider. EU roaming protections no longer automatically apply to UK customers, and the charges or included destinations differ between networks and plans. Ofcom recommends checking roaming prices and usage limits before travelling.
Before using your home allowance abroad I recommend you always check with your mobile phone provider to ensure you understand what you are and are not covered for at your planned destination. You don’t want to arrive home to a bill shock!
The Sim Local Germany eSIM may still be useful when:
- Your network charges daily EU roaming fees
- Your roaming allowance is limited
- You need considerably more data than normal
- You want a predictable upfront cost
- You do not want to use your main SIM for mobile data
- You are travelling onwards to other countries
The important thing is to compare the eSIM price with what your existing network already includes. There is no point buying extra data purely out of habit when your normal plan already covers the trip.
Should You Choose a Germany or Europe eSIM?
Choose the Sim Local Germany eSIM when Berlin is your only destination and you mainly need mobile data.
A Europe eSIM may make more sense when Berlin is part of a wider trip. Sim Local currently offers regional plans through providers including Orange and Smartroam, allowing one eSIM to work across several participating European destinations. Some Orange Europe plans also include calls and texts, while many Germany-only travel plans are data-only.
Always check the country list before paying. “Europe” does not automatically mean every European country is included in every plan.
Sim Local Discount Code
You can get 5% off your next Sim Local eSIM using my exclusive code: IRISHTRAVEL
Enter my eSIM discount code at checkout when choosing your plan.
What I Liked About Sim Local
The Good Stuff
✅ Installed my Sim Local Germany eSIM before travelling
✅ Connected quickly when we arrived
✅ No physical SIM card to swap
✅ Germany and wider Europe plans available
✅ Fixed-data and unlimited options
✅ Useful for maps, messaging and social media
✅ No need to rely on public WiFi
✅ 5% discount with code IRISHTRAVEL
A Few Things to Remember
⚠️ Your phone must support eSIM technology
⚠️ Many Germany plans are data-only
⚠️ “Unlimited” plans have a daily full-speed allowance
⚠️ You need to select the correct SIM for mobile data
⚠️ Your home provider may already include roaming in Germany
⚠️ Plan prices and allowances can change
Is Sim Local the Best eSIM for Germany?
Based on my experience, Sim Local is a very strong option for travellers who want an eSIM that can be installed before travelling and used as soon as they arrive in Berlin.
The Sim Local Germany eSIM worked smoothly throughout our trip and gave me enough data to use my phone normally rather than rationing every search, upload and map refresh.
Would I buy an eSIM if my usual network already included generous free roaming? Probably not.
Would I use Sim Local when roaming costs extra, my allowance is limited or I know I will be hammering social media for several days? Absolutely.
The biggest compliment I can give it is that after connecting, I barely had to think about it again.
No WiFi hunting, no roaming panic and no arrival-day faff.
Use code IRISHTRAVEL to get 5% off your Sim Local eSIM.
Sim Local Berlin eSIM FAQs
Can I use a Sim Local eSIM throughout Germany?
Yes. The Sim Local Germany eSIM plans are not restricted to Berlin and can be used in other covered parts of the country. Sim Local advertises both 4G and 5G Germany packages, although the connection available at any moment will depend on local network coverage and your phone.
Can I keep using WhatsApp with my normal number?
Yes. Installing a travel eSIM does not normally change the number connected to your existing WhatsApp account. You can use Sim Local for data while continuing to message through your usual account.
Does Sim Local provide calls and texts?
It depends on the plan. Many Germany packages are data-only, while selected European plans include calls and texts. Check the individual plan description before purchasing.
When should I install my Sim Local Germany eSIM?
Install it before travelling while you have reliable WiFi, but check when your chosen plan’s validity begins. Sim Local says Germany plans generally activate when you arrive and connect at the destination.
Can I hotspot using a Sim Local eSIM?
Unfortunately I did not try to use my Sim Local connection as a personal hotspot during the trip. However, Sim Local mentions that all Sim Local eSIM plans include hotspot and tethering capabilities, allowing you to share your data with other devices like laptops, tablets, or other phones. Check the conditions attached to your individual package if hotspotting is important to you.
What happens to my normal SIM when using the Sim Local Germany eSIM?
Your original SIM stays installed. You can choose which line handles mobile data, calls and messages through your phone settings. Make sure your regular SIM is not selected for mobile data if roaming charges apply.
Why you can trust this review
I have travelled to more than 45 countries and 300 cities, regularly testing travel technology and eSIM providers on real trips. I used this Sim Local Germany eSIM throughout a three-day Berlin city break for navigation, transport, bookings, messaging and uploading travel content.
Updated: 2 July 2026
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