When looking for a new phone service provider in the Netherlands, you’ll come across some household names — and one of them is LEBARA.
As one of the Netherlands’ biggest phone service providers, you’ll find that LEBARA is suggested to you by many — from close friends to strangers on the internet. But is it actually a good provider?
I did the research so you don’t have to. 👇
Reasons why LEBARA is a good provider for internationals in the Netherlands
Like other phone providers, a LEBARA SIM gives your phone cellular connectivity, which allows you to make calls, send texts, and connect to mobile data in the Netherlands.
But LEBARA stands out from other carriers due to certain great features. 👇
Coverage
Probably most telling about whether a phone carrier is good is the coverage it offers — after all, if you’re paying for a service, you want to be able to use it.
Well, good news for LEBARA users and those eyeing the carrier: LEBARA operates on the KPN network, renowned for being the best and fastest network in the Netherlands.
KPN offers excellent coverage (even in rural areas) and super-speedy data traffic, meaning you’ll have reliable connectivity wherever you go in the Netherlands.
Affordability and flexibility
Next up, let’s talk money. If you’re balling on a budget (aren’t we all?), LEBARA should definitely be one of the top contenders when selecting a phone service provider in the Netherlands.
Prices for a prepaid SIM with LEBARA start as low as €5 per month, while a SIM-only subscription starts at €4 per month. Even better, LEBARA regularly has special deals on offer, giving new customers the best bang for their buck.
READ MORE | This mobile provider offers prepaid SIM options for only €5 (and a lot more!)
What’s more, LEBARA’s packages are highly customisable and flexible, allowing you to tailor your bundle to meet your needs and change it monthly. This ensures you only pay for what you truly need, making it a budget-friendly choice.
International calling options
LEBARA’s bundle add-ons range from extra fast data to unlimited calling and texting, but perhaps the most interesting for expats is their international calling option.
READ MORE | Unlimited calling to 44 countries? LEBARA’s SIM-only package makes it possible
As an international in the Netherlands, I often need to make calls to my home country — be it to settle bureaucratic matters or because the WiFi at my mum’s house is too bad to hold a video call. 👀
LEBARA’s international calling option is a lifesaver in these situations, making calls outside of the Netherlands easy and cheap.
For just €5 per month, LEBARA’s international calling bundle gives you unlimited calls to a whopping 44 countries worldwide, including the US, South Africa, India, and Turkey.
What are the cons of LEBARA in the Netherlands?
As with anything, there are some downsides to consider as well — but rest assured, these aren’t dealbreakers for most people.
From my research, I find that LEBARA receives some complains about the occasional lagging of its app, with some people reporting occasional issues logging in or slight delays in topping up or activating bundles. Other than that, there don’t seem to be any major issues.
Overall, LEBARA likes to keep things simple, letting you trade a tiny bit of speed, polish, and convenience for one of the most affordable monthly fees in the country.
What the customers say
Are you one of those people who spends half an hour reading Google reviews before choosing a restaurant? I am, too — and that’s why I did some digging on LEBARA.
On Trustpilot, LEBARA shines with an uitstekend (outstanding) customer rating of 4.4 out of five stars, while 66% of customers rate LEBARA with five stars. 🌟
The Consumentenbond (Dutch consumer protection organisation) agrees, reporting that, out of all Dutch phone carriers, it received the least complaints about calling services from LEBARA throughout 2023.
The proof is in the pudding!
What do you look for in a phone carrier? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Find the internet calling a bit of a miss rather than a hit. This is however when calling to south Africa. More often than not, the quality is very spotty. Overall as its kpn gsm no issues with voice/data, also when Travel in eu