Philippines eSIM
Globe and Smart on one eSIM, both with 5G. Scan it at home, land in Manila or Cebu, and you're online before the immigration queue ends.
- Network
- 4G and 5G, local operators
- When your data runs out
- Slows to 128 kbps, you stay online
- Starts
- When you first connect at your destination
- Activate within
- 90 days of buying
- Hotspot
- Yes, share with your laptop
- Phone number
- None, data only (WhatsApp keeps working)
- Top-up
- Not yet: for more data, order a new eSIM next to this one
- Delivery
- QR code by email, usually within minutes
How much data for Philippines?
Light is maps, messages and ride apps (about 0.25 GB a day). Normal adds socials and stories (about 0.6 GB a day). Heavy is streaming, hotspot and work: that's unlimited.
| Trip | Light | Normal | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | €7.993 GB, 30 days | €8.495 GB, 30 days | €20.997 days unlimited |
| 14 days | €8.495 GB, 30 days | €13.4910 GB, 30 days | €37.4915 days unlimited |
| 30 days | €13.4910 GB, 30 days | €21.4920 GB, 30 days | €63.4930 days unlimited |
The cheapest Philippines plan that covers it. Your phone counts a little differently from the network, so keep some margin. More in our guide: how much data do I need?
Globe and Smart
The Philippines eSIM runs on Globe and Smart, the two networks most travellers have heard of. Both have 5G in the cities. Your phone picks the strongest and switches by itself.
The third network, DITO, isn’t on this plan, and it has done well lately: it won Best Network in Opensignal’s July 2026 report, with Smart winning as many awards and Globe two. In 2025 Globe won the overall Coverage award and Smart 5G Coverage. With both on one eSIM, you have a fallback when one of them is weak where you are.
Island hopping
Most trips are about the islands: Palawan, Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay. Your data use changes with it:
- Manila and Cebu City: Grab for rides, maps, food delivery. You’ll use the most here.
- El Nido and Coron: the boat tours take you a long way from the masts. Download your maps, playlist and next booking before you leave town.
- Siargao: scooters, surf spots and cafés. Download the island offline in Google Maps before you ride out.
- Ferries between islands: keep the ferry times and tickets offline; you won’t always be able to pull them up on board.
Tip: on a small island, try both networks. Go to your network settings, switch off automatic selection and pick the other one. It’s the quickest fix when the signal is weak.
Before you fly
Install the eSIM at home, on wifi, a day or two before you fly. It only starts counting when you first connect in the Philippines. Keep your own SIM in for bank texts, with data roaming switched off.
How much data for the Philippines
Two weeks of normal use (maps, Grab, messages and socials) comes to about 8 to 9 GB, so 10 GB is the sweet spot. A month is closer to 20 GB. Posting lots of video from the beaches? Look at Unlimited. The table above has today’s prices.
On the 3 GB plan and bigger, you stay online at 128 kbps when the data runs out: slow, but enough for messages and maps.
Combining with Thailand or Vietnam?
The Philippines isn’t on the Southeast Asia eSIM, but it is on Asia, which also covers Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and more. Our route planner checks whether one eSIM is cheaper than two for your trip.
Sources: Opensignal, Philippines, July 2026 and April 2025. Networks and plans come from our own catalogue.
Networks
Same data, smaller bill
| Plan | Rebels | Airalo | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB30 days | €8.49 | €10.69 | €9.80 | €10.68 |
| 10 GB30 days | €13.49 | €16.93 | €15.15 | €16.92 |
| 20 GB30 days | €21.49 | €26.73 | n/a | €26.72 |
Competitor list prices checked on 22 October 2026 on esimdb.com, converted from USD at 0.89, without new-customer discounts. n/a means that brand has no matching plan. We only list plans where we are at least €0.50 cheaper than every brand that has one. Prices may have changed since.
Our promise
- Not installed? Full refund, no questions asked.
- Won't connect? We fix it with you. If we can't, you get a new eSIM or your money back.
- No QR code within 24 hours? Your money back.
Before you buy
Which network will I be on in the Philippines?
Globe or Smart. Your phone picks the strongest. DITO, the third network, isn't on this plan.
Does it work on the islands?
It uses the same Globe and Smart networks as a Philippine SIM, so where they have signal, you have signal. On smaller islands, try both: pick the other network by hand in your phone's network settings if one is weak.
When should I install it?
At home, on wifi, a day or two before you fly. The plan only starts counting when your phone first connects in the Philippines.
What happens when my data runs out?
On the 3 GB plan and up you stay online: speed drops to 128 kbps, enough for messages and maps. The 1 GB plan stops when the data is used up. Need more? Order another plan in two minutes; it comes with its own QR code.
How does Unlimited work?
You get 1 GB a day at full speed. After that it's 5 Mbps until your daily allowance resets: enough for maps, socials and video calls. Then the next full-speed GB starts.
Can I keep my own SIM for calls and texts?
Yes. Your home SIM stays in, our eSIM does the data. Turn data roaming off for your home line and you won't get a surprise bill.
What if it doesn't work?
If it won't connect because of a fault on our side or the network's, we fix it with you. If we can't, you get your money back or a new eSIM, your choice. Never installed it? Full refund. The full rules are in our terms.
Travelling further?
One eSIM for the whole trip: these also cover Philippines.
Or a local eSIM for the next country in Asia.
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
VietnamPrices checked against our catalogue on 24 October 2026. Prices include VAT.