Difference between EES and ETIAS: Simple UK travel guide
A quick guide for UK citizens on EES and ETIAS including what they are, how they differ, and how to get ready for Europe’s new travel rules.
Looking for a way to stay connected abroad? An eSIM offers a convenient solution to avoid expensive roaming fees outside the UK, without needing to replace your existing phone plan.
An eSIM works like a virtual SIM card. It provides many of the same features as a physical SIM, but it’s embedded directly into your device's chip. While Revolut is best known for banking services, it also offers eSIM plans that can be used in many countries around the world.
In this Revolut eSIM review for 2025, we take a look at all the different plans, how to install and activate your plan, and what to expect from the eSIM. We'll also highlight some pros and cons of using Revolut eSIMs too.
And, if you’re looking for a way to make your travel money go further - we’ll show you the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. This clever card automatically converts your pounds to the local currency in 150+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate, with only a tiny, transparent conversion fee*.
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The Revolut eSIM uses 1GLOBAL’s eSIM technology and relies on their mobile network for connectivity. It doesn’t come with a local phone number, so you can’t use it to make calls while abroad.¹
Revolut has eSIM plans for over 100 countries, including popular destinations like Spain, Japan and the United States. You can even buy a regional or global plan if you plan on visiting multiple destinations.²
Revolut offers fixed-data eSIM plans available only through the official Revolut app. This means you need to be a Revolut user with an active account to be able to get this eSIM.¹
The price of your Revolut eSIM plan will be displayed in-app once it’s determined your device is compatible and you’ve chosen the option that suits you best. If you activate the auto-renew option, your plan will renew as soon as you run out of data. You can have up to 15 eSIM plans at the same time on your devices.¹
If you’re a user of Revolut’s Ultra plan, you can get their 3GB global eSIM for free each month.²
To purchase a Revolut eSIM, open the Revolut app and follow these steps:
You can pay from your account balance, available RevPoints or both. If you buy multiple Revolut eSIM plans, the local one will take priority.³
Installing and activating your eSIM will look slightly different on iOS and Android.
For iOS, open the Revolut app, tap ‘RevPoints’, select the “ option and tap ‘Install’. Once you do this, open Settings and do the following:
If you have an Android device, follow these steps for installation:
To select your Revolut eSIM for data roaming, go back to Settings and do the following:
In order to use the Revolut eSIM, your device must be compatible with eSIMs in general and carrier-unlocked. Here’s a list of the oldest phone versions that support eSIM technology from several manufacturers:
Brand | Device Models |
---|---|
Apple | iPhone 11 |
Samsung | Galaxy S20, Galaxy A54 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Note 20 |
Google Pixel | Pixel 3 |
Honor | Magic5 Pro, Magic4 Pro, Honor 90 |
Huawei | P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro |
Motorola | Moto G54, Edge 40 Neo, Edge 40 Pro, Edge+, Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 2022, Razr 2019, Razr 5G, G53 5G |
Xiaomi | 14 Pro, 13T, 13T Pro, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Lite, 12T Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G⁵ |
If your phone is one of these devices or a newer model, it should be able to support eSIMs. However, make sure to check the most up-to-date information before making a purchase.⁵
Revolut eSIM pricing isn’t displayed on their website and can only be viewed in the app when you begin the purchase process. However, they do state that prices start at £1.50 for 1 GB of data.²
You can choose between country-specific, regional and global fixed-data eSIM plans. In terms of duration, most plans last between 7 days and 60 days.
Let’s go through some Revolut eSIM plan options for a few popular tourist destinations:
Countries covered | Duration | Coverage |
---|---|---|
Spain⁶ | 7 days | 1 GB |
Japan⁷ | 30 days | 10 GB |
Morocco⁸ | 30 days | 5 GB |
UAE⁹ | 7 days | 1 GB |
Brazil¹⁰ | 30 days | 10 GB |
Croatia¹¹ | 7 days | 1 GB |
USA¹² | 30 days | 20 GB |
Europe¹³ | 30 days | 10 GB |
Latin America¹⁴ | 30 days | 3 GB |
Global (100+ countries)¹⁵ | 60 days | 50 GB |
Not sure if the Revolut eSIM is right for you? Here are some pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
It's connected to your Revolut app, so the payment process is easy | You need to be a Revolut user to get their eSIM |
Variety of data amounts | Data-only plans, not suitable for calls or SMS |
Secure and reliable internet connection | Only one option for short stays |
Auto-renew option | No unlimited data plans available |
Country-specific, regional and global plans | |
Free 3 GB eSIM for Revolut Ultra plan users |
Besides offering a wide range of banking services, Revolut also provides an eSIM that may be worth considering, with plans starting at £1.50 for 1 GB of data. It’s available in over 100 countries, with both regional and global plans that can help reduce roaming costs. However, you do need an active Revolut account to purchase it.
If you are travelling abroad soon, the Wise card could be your perfect travel companion.
Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7 or get the virtual Wise card for £0. It’s a dedicated contactless travel card, letting you spend like a local in 150+ countries worldwide.
It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.
And when you need cash, you can use it to withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) fee-free. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.
Let’s answer some common questions about using a Revolut eSIM:
Revolut eSIMs are data-only, so you won’t be able to use them for phone calls. However, you can use messaging and call platforms such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.³
Yes, the Revolut eSIM is very safe. It’s managed through the Revolut app, which has advanced security features to help protect your account and data.¹⁶
You can only use your Revolut eSIM on the device you purchased it from. If you need one on another phone, you can download the Revolut app on that device and purchase it.¹⁷
Revolut eSIM plans only provide data coverage, not a local phone number.¹
Sources used:
Sources last checked on date: 08-Aug-2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
A quick guide for UK citizens on EES and ETIAS including what they are, how they differ, and how to get ready for Europe’s new travel rules.
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