Yes, eSIM can be used internationally, and for most travellers it's now the simplest way to get online abroad. Unlike traditional roaming through your home network, an international eSIM connects you directly to local networks in the countries you visit – no plastic card to swap, no hunting for a shop when you land.
How international eSIM actually works
When you install an international eSIM profile on your phone, you're essentially adding a second line that can connect to mobile networks in other countries. Your physical SIM (if you still have one) stays put, so you keep your usual number for calls and texts. The eSIM handles your data.
Most international eSIM plans are regional or global. A Europe plan might cover 30+ countries, so you can move between France, Spain and Portugal without changing anything. The eSIM switches between local networks automatically as you cross borders. For short trips – a week in Rome, a long weekend in Berlin – this flexibility matters more than it would for someone living abroad long-term.
The technical requirement is simple: your phone needs to be eSIM-compatible (most iPhones from XS onwards, recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models) and unlocked. If you bought your phone directly or finished paying off a contract, it's almost certainly unlocked. You can check in your settings or by calling your current provider.
What to look for in an international eSIM plan
Not all international eSIMs are built the same. Some are designed for business travellers who need a handful of countries; others cover 100+ destinations but at a premium. For tourists and short-term travellers, the sweet spot is usually a regional plan that covers your itinerary without paying for coverage you won't use.
Check the validity period carefully. A plan that expires after seven days is fine for a city break but useless if you're spending ten days island-hopping. Equally, don't pay for 30 days of validity if you only need five. Rentnconnect's eSIM plans start from as little as one day, so you're not locked into a long contract or forced to buy more time than your trip actually needs. You set everything up and top up through the rentnconnect app (available on iOS and Android), which also shows your remaining data and validity in real time.
If your phone isn't eSIM-compatible, or if you're travelling with family and want to share one connection across multiple devices, a mobile hotspot rental is the practical alternative. Rentnconnect's pocket WiFi devices work the same way – short-term rental from one day upwards, pay-as-you-go, no subscription – and you can connect laptops, tablets and older phones simultaneously.