eSIM Switzerland: Prepaid Data Plans

For most travellers, yes, if your phone supports eSIM. Switzerland plans start at $3.49 for 1 GB, and the longest lasts 365 days, which suits long stays and repeat visits. If your home plan already covers Switzerland at no extra cost, you may not need one.

Switzerland eSIMs on MobiMatter run on Salt, Sunrise, and Swisscom; 5G plans are available on Salt and Sunrise. Salt carries the most plans. Each plan names its network, so you choose your carrier before you buy.

No plan covers Switzerland alone right now, so the choice is a multi-country plan. The top one is 120 GB for 30 days at $49.99 from Bouygues, covering 34 countries. We rank plans on quality and value for money. If price per GB is all that matters, the lowest right now is $0.67 per GB, with 30 GB for 15 days.

It depends on how you use your phone. Light use (maps, messaging, browsing) takes about 0.5–1 GB a day; scrolling a lot of social video can take 2–3 GB or more. Typical use per hour:

• Instagram Reels, TikTok: 0.3–1 GB
• YouTube, Netflix at standard quality: 0.5–1 GB
• Video calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime): 0.5–1 GB
• Voice calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio): 50–70 MB
• Maps and navigation: 2–6 MB
• Messaging and browsing: 50–150 MB

The cheapest Switzerland plan with at least 5 GB for a week or longer is 5 GB for 30 days at $6.49.

Yes. Unlimited data plans for Switzerland start at $21.99. Many unlimited plans slow down after a daily high-speed allowance, so check the fair-use terms on the plan page before you buy.

5G is available on 21 plans for Switzerland, where the local network has 5G coverage; the others use 4G/LTE. Hotspot (tethering) works on every plan, so you can share your data with other devices.

Most travel eSIMs, including most Switzerland plans, are data-only and have no local number. You keep your usual number on your main SIM for calls, texts and WhatsApp. Plans that include a number or minutes say so on the plan page.

Yes, if it supports eSIM and is not locked to a carrier. To check, dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS/XR on, Galaxy S20 and later and Pixel 3 and later do, except most models sold in mainland China and some sold in Hong Kong and Macao.

Yes. Your eSIM and your main SIM can be active at the same time. Use the eSIM for mobile data with data roaming on for that line, and turn data roaming off on your home SIM to avoid charges. WhatsApp keeps working on your usual number.