Best eSIM for Croatia (2026): prices, A1 and Telemach, island hopping, and EES

Why Croatia is different

Croatia is cheap for data. 10 GB for 30 days is $12 at Ubigi, $15 at Nomad and $17.00 at Airalo, and Nomad’s 50 GB is $31.

Two networks appear. Airalo lists Telemach, Nomad lists Telemach and A1, and Ubigi lists A1 Croatia.

Day trips can leave the EU. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro aren’t in the EU, so a Croatia plan may not cover a day trip to Mostar or Kotor. Check the provider’s country list before you go (see one country or several).

Quick picks

Step 1: Size your plan for Croatia

Maps, ride-hailing, transit apps and messaging use little data. Uploading photos and videos and making video calls use much more. As a rough guide, maps and messaging use hundreds of megabytes a day, while video and video calls can use several gigabytes. These are general estimates, not measurements.

Step 2: Compare published prices

Unlimited plans by trip length

Lowest listed price in the row — means no plan of that length was listed. Holafly ($3.90) and Yesim ($4.20) also sell a single day. Holafly lets you share data as a hotspot (a 7-day plan includes 7 GB). Nomad sells Croatia unlimited only up to 10 days. Maya sells one global unlimited plan at the same price for every country: $9.99 for 3 days, $19.99 for 7, $27.99 for 14 and $49.99 for 30 (see Maya). Official pages, checked 5 November 2026.

Fixed-data plans

Lowest listed price in the row Validity differs, so compare the small print as well as the price. Where a provider sells the same data amount for several lengths, we show the longest. Airalo also lists shorter versions (for example 10 GB for 7 days at $15.50). Ubigi also lists 10 GB for 7 days ($10) and 25 GB for 30 days ($24). Yesim also lists 30 GB for 30 days at $33.60. Official pages, checked 5 November 2026.

One country, or several?

Plans on this page are sold for Croatia. If your trip crosses borders, a Europe plan can be simpler: Airalo listed 15 days of unlimited Europe data for $49.00 and Holafly $51.50 (see our Europe guide). EU “roam like at home” rules apply to SIMs from EU operators; check each provider’s coverage list rather than assuming a single-country plan works next door.

Step 3: Check the fine print

• Networks. Airalo: Telemach. Nomad: Telemach and A1. Ubigi: A1 Croatia. Holafly, Saily, Yesim and Maya didn’t name one.
• Unlimited isn’t always unlimited. Ubigi says a fair-use policy may apply. Holafly’s Croatia page limits hotspot sharing to 1 GB a day (a 7-day plan includes 7 GB to share).
• Activation windows. Nomad starts a plan automatically 60 days after purchase if you haven’t used it. Saily says all plans have a 180-day activation period; after that the plan starts automatically. Ubigi’s plan starts when you arrive.
• Hotspot. Yesim says hotspot depends on the operator, and gives 180 days from purchase to activate.
• EU roaming. Croatia is in the EU, so roam-like-at-home rules cover SIMs from EU and EEA operators. They don’t cover the travel eSIMs on this page, which are priced per destination.
• Saily unlimited. Saily sells unlimited plans here, but we couldn’t read a price for each length, so check at checkout.
• No local number. These plans are data-only. Saily sells an optional US phone number, and Yesim offers a 20-minute calling add-on.

The seven providers

Will your phone work?

• eSIM-capable and unlocked. Apple lists iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later. Settings → General → About should say "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (full checklist).
• Bought in mainland China? Apple says that in China mainland only the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM. Many older mainland models use two physical SIM cards instead, so check for Add eSIM in your settings before you buy a plan.
• Bought in Hong Kong or Macau? Apple notes that certain iPhone models sold there have two nano-SIM slots. Check for Add eSIM in your settings first.
• Install before you fly. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and leave the line switched off until you land (install guide).

Entry: EES now, ETIAS later

The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026. If you’re a non-EU visitor on a short stay, your first crossing records a face image and four fingerprints (children under 12 give no fingerprints). It’s free, and there’s nothing to apply for in advance. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip.

ETIAS, the travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, isn’t operating yet, according to the EU’s official Travel to Europe site. You can’t apply for it, and you don’t need it to visit Croatia today.

• Passport. GOV.UK says it must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave Schengen.
• 90 days in 180. Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen, and may be asked to show accommodation, travel insurance, a return or onward ticket and enough money for the stay.
• Register your address. GOV.UK says your accommodation provider must register your arrival with the police within 48 hours. Hotels normally do it; in private rentals, check with your host.
• Customs. You can’t bring meat or milk products into the EU, and you must declare cash of €10,000 or more.

Our take

Affiliate links. Prices are set by the provider and confirmed at checkout.

Before you fly

1. 1

   Decide: Croatia or Europe

   If you’re visiting more than one country, compare a Europe plan before buying a single-country one.

2. 2

   Buy and install at home

   Check your phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable (how to check), then install on Wi-Fi before departure. With Nomad, don’t buy more than 60 days ahead.

3. 3

   Switch on when you land

   Turn on the travel line, enable data roaming for that line, and set it as your mobile-data line.

4. 4

   Expect EES at the border

   Your first entry records a face image and fingerprints. It’s free and needs no advance application.