Long-stay eSIM guide: 30, 60 and 90+ days

Buy enough validity, not just enough gigabytes

A 20 GB pack that expires after 30 days is not a two-month plan, even if you use only 5 GB. Start with your arrival date, departure date and expected weekly usage. Compare the total cost of renewing across your entire stay, including any gap between plans. Unused data may expire; do not assume a top-up extends the original allowance.

For a 60-day trip using 10 GB each month, compare two 30-day 10 GB packs against a genuine 60-day pack with sufficient data. This is a planning example, not a current quote. Check when validity begins: purchase, installation and first network connection can be different events.

One concrete long-validity example

eSIMFOX's Turkey page showed 100 GB / 365 days for €63.99 on 6 Nov 2026 (Pacific/Auckland), alongside 10 GB / 30 days at €9.99. The 365-day pack costs about €0.64 per GB if you use all 100 GB; that does not make it unlimited or a monthly 100 GB allocation. This is a Turkey-only example, not a promise of the same bundle elsewhere. Prices remain in EUR, without an invented USD conversion.

Source: eSIMFOX Turkey plan selector. Check current availability, networks and activation conditions before purchase. For Turkey, install before entry because some provider websites or apps may be restricted.

Questions to settle before a long stay

• Top-up: can this exact eSIM be recharged, or do you need a new profile? Does the new plan queue or start immediately?
• Expiry: is unused data carried over? What is the final activation deadline after purchase?
• Local requirements: check current handset registration, visitor limits and identity rules for your destination. A travel eSIM is not an exemption from local law.
• Calls and two-factor codes: many travel packs are data-only. Keep access to your home number where needed, while controlling roaming charges.
• Refund: installing a profile can narrow eligibility. Read the policy before testing it.
• Recurring billing: distinguish a prepaid pack, automatic top-up and a subscription. Turn off renewal you do not need.

When a local plan makes more sense

If you stay in one country for months, compare a local carrier's prepaid or monthly plan as well. A local number, higher allowances or domestic routing may suit you better, but identity checks, contract terms and phone compatibility matter. We do not sell an unpaid local carrier plan here. You can use a small travel pack for arrival and decide after checking local options.

For several countries, verify that a regional pack covers all of them for the full duration. One profile supporting many countries does not mean your purchased data bundle works everywhere.

Start with the destination, then the duration

Use our Thailand, Bali, Portugal and Turkey guides. Airalo, Yesim and Saily are comparison starting points; eSIMFOX has the sourced Turkey example above. Gigago and Yaalo remain check-current-plan alternatives, not priced long-stay recommendations.

Check current partner plans

Choose the exact destination and read plan conditions. Partner links below are not a guarantee of maritime coverage, work suitability or cheapest price.

Cruise port-day guide · Long stays · Remote work · All guides