Your detailed Guide to Getting a Belgium SIM card

Using a Belgium SIM card while travel to Belgium is one of the best ways to stay connected in Belgium. This guide provides a complete breakdown of getting a Belgium SIM card. You’ll find detailed information about carriers, pricing tiers, data packages, and activation requirements. From carrier options and coverage maps to step-by-step setup instructions, we’ve covered every aspect to get you connected quickly. Let’s get straight to the details.

I. Why choose a prepaid Belgium SIM card over roaming?

Roaming in Belgium is quite convenient, however, it often comes with high costs, limited data, and unpredictable fees. Instead, a local Belgium SIM Card offers much cheaper data rates (often 10-20€ for 10-20GB) versus international roaming fees that can reach 10€/day or more. You’ll also get reliable local coverage and a local phone number. 

Here are some other benefits of the Belgium SIM Card:

• Much cheaper data rates and no surprise roaming charges
• Connect directly to Belgian networks for better service quality
• Local phone number for local calls
• Easy to buy at airports/stations in Belgium
• Flexible plans that fit your stay

II. Belgium SIM card type – Which is the best for tourists?

There are two options for SIM cards in Belgium: Prepaid Belgium SIM Card (physical) and Belgium eSIM (virtual).

1. Prepaid Belgium SIM card

Physical Belgium SIM cards are the traditional plastic cards that you put in your phone which provide cellular connectivity and a local phone number.

Using a Belgium prepaid SIM card brings visitors several benefits, here is why:

• Compatible with most devices without extra setup
• Cheap price that many people can afford to buy
• Easy to swap devices 
• Widely available

Although offering benefits, physical Belgium SIM cards still have drawbacks:

• Can be lost/damaged
• Limited to one carrier
• Needs physical swap

2. Prepaid Belgium eSIM 

A Belgium eSIM is a digital SIM embedded in your device, allowing activation without a physical card. Belgium eSIM has changed the way people connect to the internet due to its advantages:

• Convenience – flexibility: don’t need to swap into the physical SIM card, can be bought and activated online.
• Easily switch to local carriers remotely
• Less prone to physical theft or loss
• Suitable for those who want to travel to multiple countries with diverse eSIM plans

Although bringing visitors several advantages, using eSIM still has drawbacks:

• Only supported on newer devices
• Can’t swap between devices without reactivation
• Can be harder to switch carriers if not unlocked by the original provider

III. How much does a Belgium prepaid tourist SIM card/ eSIM cost?

When visiting Belgium, several mobile operators offer prepaid SIM with prices ranging from €10 to €30. Here are some specific plans from Proximus, Orange Tempo, and Telenet.

Provider	Plan Name	Price (USD)	Data Allowance	Calls & Texts	Validity	Notes
Proximus	Pay&Go+ Prepaid Card	$5.50	3 GB	€10 credit for calls/SMS	30 days	Online offer; includes 500 SMS and 10 minutes of calls.
	Reload 10	$11.00	500 MB	–	–	Top-up option.
	Reload 15	$16.50	3 GB	–	–	Top-up option.
	Reload 25	$27.50	5 GB	–	–	Top-up option.
Orange	Tempo Card	$11.00	1 GB	500 texts	31 days	Includes 500 texts.
	Tempo Card	$16.50	5 GB	4,000 texts	31 days	Includes 4,000 texts.
	Tempo Card	$16.50	8 GB	N/A	31 days	Data-only option.
	Tempo Card	$22.00	7 GB	5,000 texts	31 days	Includes 5,000 texts.
Telenet	King	$17.90	1.5 GB	150 minutes + unlimited SMS	1 month	Includes 150 minutes and unlimited SMS.
	Kong	$29.10	6 GB	Unlimited calls & SMS	1 month	Includes unlimited calls and SMS.
	Kong Unlimited	$48.20	Unlimited	Unlimited calls & SMS	1 month	Includes unlimited data, calls, and SMS.

For short-term travelers who primarily need data, Telenet provides high data amounts and unlimited calls at an affordable rate. However, if you need a balance of data, calls, and flexibility, Proximus or Orange Tempo offer good combinations at fair prices.

IV. Belgium eSIM – Alternative to SIM card with unlimited data/data and calls for Belgium

While a physical SIM card is a reliable option for staying connected in Belgium, using an eSIM offers added convenience and flexibility. With an eSIM, there’s no need to find a store or swap out your existing SIM card; you simply download the eSIM profile from your provider, which can often be done online before you even arrive. 

Here are some strengths of a Belgium eSIM:

• No need to physically swap SIM cards
• Instant digital activation
• Can store multiple carrier profiles on one device
• Often cheaper than traditional roaming
• Ability to easily switch between carriers for better rates
• Can compare and purchase plans digitally
• Keep your home number active while using local Belgian data

V. Buying a prepaid SIM card in Belgium – Where to buy?

 You can easily get a prepaid Belgium SIM Card from these places:

1. Online

Major Belgian mobile operators like Proximus, Orange, and BASE offer options to purchase SIM cards directly from their websites. 

2. Airport

You can also easily find a Belgium SIM Card at Brussels Airport (BRU), at kiosks, stores, or vending machines.

3. Physical stores 

Belgium SIM Card is also available at mobile operator stores (Proximus, Orange, BASE, etc), which are often located in major cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. Chains like MediaMarkt and Fnac offer SIM cards from multiple providers. Some supermarkets and convenience stores also sell Belgium SIM card, though options may be limited.

VI. How to use a Belgium SIM card

Here is a step-to-step guide to activating a Belgium SIM Card:

• Insert the SIM Card: Place the SIM card into your phone.
• Register (if required): Belgian law may require SIM card registration. If prompted, follow instructions to provide identification (e.g., passport) either online or in-store.
• Top-Up: Many prepaid cards require an initial top-up. Follow instructions from your provider to load credit, either online or by purchasing a voucher.
• Activate: Typically, the SIM activates automatically after insertion and registration. If not, dial the activation number provided by the carrier (e.g., Proximus: *121#, Orange: 1984, BASE: *199#).
• Check Balance and Data: Once activated, verify your balance and data allowance by using your provider’s USSD code or app.

VII. How much mobile data do you need when traveling to Belgium?

The amount of data you need for a Belgium trip depends on the trip length, your data usage, and planned activities. Here is a table to help you estimate mobile data needs in Belgium based on trip length and usage type:

Trip Length	Light Use (Basic Browsing, Maps, Messaging)	Moderate Use (Social Media, Some Streaming)	Heavy Use (Streaming, Video Calls, GPS)
1-3 Days	500 MB – 1 GB	1 – 2 GB	3 – 5 GB
4-7 Days	1 – 3 GB	4 – 7 GB	7 – 12 GB
2 Weeks or More	4 – 6 GB	7 – 15 GB	15+ GB

VIII. Best mobile operators in Belgium

Belgium’s mobile market is served by three major providers – Proximus, Orange Belgium, and BASE (by Telenet). Among the three, Proximus stands out as the best provider overall, with the widest 4G and 5G coverage across both urban and rural areas and solid 4G speeds.

Here’s a table summarizing each mobile provider’s coverage and speed in Belgium:

Feature	Proximus	Orange Belgium	Telenet/Base
Coverage	Nationwide	Urban-focused	Urban/Suburban
Average Download Speed	49.1 Mbps	33.8 Mbps	42 Mbps
Tourist Plan Options	Weekly/monthly plans, data-heavy	Basic data packages, flexible durations	Weekly/monthly plans, data-heavy
Pricing	Competitive	Affordable	Affordable
Customer Satisfaction	High	Positive	Good
Best For	Coverage and speed reliability	Cost-conscious, urban travelers	Balanced packages and reliable service

Overall, Proximus is the top choice for reliable coverage and consistent speeds across Belgium. However, if 5G speed is a priority and you’ll mainly be in urban areas, Orange Belgium is ideal with its impressive 5G speeds. And BASE offers competitive coverage and good 5G access for budget-conscious users.

IX. Tips on using prepaid SIM cards in Belgium

Here are some practical tips for using a prepaid Belgium SIM card:

• Register Your SIM: Belgian law requires SIM card registration. When purchasing and activating your SIM, be prepared to provide ID (e.g., passport).
• Check Data Balance Regularly: Use the provider’s app or USSD codes (like *120# for Proximus or #123# for Orange) to monitor data and avoid overage charges.
• Use Data-Saving Modes: Enable data-saver mode on your device to limit high data usage by apps.
• Limit Video Streaming: Stream videos only on Wi-Fi or lower the quality in streaming apps to reduce data usage.

X. FAQs

XI. Conclusion

This comprehensive guide has given you everything needed to get connected in Belgium. You can now confidently choose between a prepaid SIM card from many providers. And don’t forget the convenient option of buying a Belgium eSIM from Europe eSIM.