You have booked your Netherlands trip out of Delhi or Mumbai, and now you need to work out how to get online in Amsterdam without queueing at Schiphol or paying through the nose for an Airtel or Jio roaming pack. Between tram apps, museum ticket QR codes and canal-side navigation, you will want data working from the moment you land.
Quick answer: the best eSIM for a Netherlands trip from India is one you install before you fly, so it is ready the moment you land at Schiphol. You can keep your Indian number active for bank OTPs while your eSIM handles all your data in the Netherlands.
Why an eSIM beats a Schiphol SIM counter
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone, so there is no small plastic card to buy or swap. You install it using a QR code before you leave home, which means skipping the SIM counters at Schiphol Airport entirely.
Schiphol has SIM shops in the arrivals hall, but after a long flight from India, queueing there while jetlagged is not how anyone wants to start their trip. An eSIM skips all of that. You land, switch off airplane mode, and you already have signal for Google Maps, the GVB tram app and checking into your canal-side hotel.
Keeping your Indian number active for OTPs in the Netherlands
Most phones that support eSIM can also keep your regular Jio, Airtel or Vi SIM inside at the same time, called dual SIM mode. This means your Indian number can keep receiving calls and SMS while your eSIM handles data in the Netherlands.
This matters if you need a GPay or PhonePe OTP for a payment while travelling. Just make sure you do not switch off your Indian SIM completely, and check with your operator whether incoming SMS abroad needs roaming turned on. Read more in our guide on receiving OTPs while using a travel eSIM abroad.
eSIM vs an Airtel, Jio or Vi roaming pack for the Netherlands
| Question | Airtel/Jio/Vi roaming pack | Travel eSIM for the Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| When can you set it up | A day or two before departure, through the operator app | Anytime before you fly, once you buy the plan |
| Network used in the Netherlands | Whichever local partner network the operator has a deal with | A local Dutch network chosen for coverage there |
| Can you keep your Indian number for OTPs | Yes, since it is the same SIM | Yes, if you keep your Indian SIM in the phone too |
| Topping up more data mid-trip | Usually means buying another roaming pack | A few taps from the plans page |
Setting up your Netherlands eSIM before you fly
Follow this order, ideally the night before your flight while you still have home wifi:
- Check your phone supports eSIM on the eSIM compatible device list.
- Buy a Netherlands eSIM plan while you still have wifi or Indian data.
- Scan the QR code to install it, following our eSIM installation guide.
- Set the eSIM as your line for data, and leave your Indian SIM active for calls and SMS.
- Turn on airplane mode as you board, and switch it off once you land at Schiphol.
Planning a wider Europe trip from the Netherlands?
Many Indian travellers use Amsterdam as a starting point before heading on to Germany, Belgium or France by train. If your itinerary covers several European countries, a Europe eSIM plan covering multiple destinations can save you from installing a separate eSIM at every border.
If you are still figuring out how much data to buy, our guide on how much data you need for a week abroad can help you pick a plan size.
What if your phone does not support eSIM?
If your phone only takes a physical card, a travel SIM is still an option in the Netherlands, fitted into a second SIM slot alongside your Indian SIM, keeping the same OTP setup described above.
A Netherlands eSIM installed before you fly means no Schiphol queue, no cash counter, and your Indian number still working for OTPs. Browse Netherlands eSIM plans starting from a low daily cost on Netherlands eSIM.
