Prepaid SIMs are often referred to as one of the handiest tools in an international’s arsenal when they’re adapting to life in the Netherlands. Let’s dive into why! 👇
First things first: what exactly is a prepaid SIM? This refers to a SIM card for which you pay upfront for all the data, call minutes, and texts you intend you use.
This pay-as-you-go system is great because of how flexible and affordable it is, but there are also some important things you should know before you buy one.
1. You can get a Dutch prepaid SIM in five minutes
Unlike with their SIM-only counterparts, getting one of the best prepaid SIM cards is refreshingly straightforward.
You can find them everywhere, from a Schiphol Airport kiosk to your local supermarket’s checkout counter. Need to stop at a corner shop for some chewing gum? Hoera, you’ll find prepaid SIMs there, too.
Most major Dutch providers offer their services in prepaid form, so whether you’d like a snazzy prepaid plan from KPN or a more affordable one from Simyo, you’ve got plenty of options!
And, even better: many of these prepaid plans now come in eSIM form. This means you can download your Dutch number directly into your mobile phone, without needing to head to a brick-and-mortar store or potentially lose your existing SIM card while swapping it.
2. You won’t require a BSN or Dutch bank account to buy one
In the Netherlands, a mobile plan or SIM-only subscription typically requires two things you won’t have during your first few days in the country:
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a BSN (citizen service number), and
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a Dutch bank account.
Until you’ve registered at your local gemeente (municipality), most mobile subscriptions are off the table. And no Dutch mobile number means no registering at your local GP, no two-factor authentication codes via SMS, and eye-watering data roaming fees if you’re not from the EU.
So what’s an international to do if they’ve just landed in the Netherlands and desperately need a Dutch SIM card? 🤔
The answer’s simple, my friend: get a prepaid SIM. As you won’t be paying for a subscription, you won’t be asked for your BSN or Dutch bank account information.
3. You won’t need to commit to a long-term SIM contract
One of my favourite features of having a cheap prepaid SIM is the fact that most of them are monthly terminable.
In simple terms, a monthly terminable subscription is a mobile data plan that doesn’t auto-renew. This allows you to cancel your subscription after the month is over, without needing to hop on a call with customer service. (Or, worse: be forced to pay for a year’s worth of cellular data you won’t use. 😱)
This flexibility is especially handy for international students, tourists, or other short-term visitors to the Netherlands, as you needn’t commit to a long-term plan.
Plus, a monthly terminable subscription gives you the freedom to check out multiple providers and see which one offers the best coverage and features for you.
4. You can use one prepaid SIM all over Europe
Thanks to the EU’s snazzy “roam like at home” policy, you can kiss costly roaming fees goodbye.
This is because EU policy states that all calls (to mobile and fixed phones), text messages, and data use within the European Union are charged at domestic rates.
In simple terms, that Dutch prepaid SIM of yours is valid throughout most of Europe. Hoera, for your wallet! 🥳
However, although roaming fees are waived, most providers will still have a fair use policy in place. This refers to a data cap that providers can set on the amount of GBs you’re allowed to use at a domestic rate outside of the Netherlands.
It’s always a good idea to check your prepaid provider’s fair use policy. Even though the vast majority of providers have pretty generous limits, you’ll still want to double-check so that you don’t overshoot your monthly data limit.
5. You’ve got full control over all your mobile costs
With prepaid SIMs, you’re fully in the driver’s seat. There are no surprise bills at the end of the month, as you only pay for the data (and messages/call minutes) that you actually use.
Many providers also have handy mobile apps. These let you manage all aspects of your prepaid plan, from handling top-ups, switching plans, or transferring to a SIM-only subscription, instead.
No Dutch bank account? No problem! Lots of these apps will also allow you to use an international bank card to purchase your prepaid SIM and top-up.
Good to know: If you’re someone who often forgets to cancel subscriptions you’re no longer using, prepaid SIMs will help you avoid any financial headaches. Unless you specifically opt for a plan that auto-renews monthly, you won’t be charged for failing to top up your prepaid SIM at the end of the month.
Whether you’ve come to the Netherlands for your studies, you’ve been headhunted by a snazzy multinational corporation, or you’re just here to scoff some stroopwafels, a cheap prepaid SIM can be a handy tool for staying connected.
Have you ever used a prepaid SIM in the Netherlands? Tell us all about your experience in the comments below!
e-sim comes with annoying conditions, at least for Vodafone (“no dual SIM”) and lyka(50% more expensive than physical SIM). So better stick to physical, if your mobile allows dual SIM is all great.