Verified coverageSpeed5G
Carriers1
Du
United Arab Emirates network
Access to top-tier carriers for a stable and fast connection
Need help choosing?
Not sure which plan to pick? Try our data calculator.
Is your device eSIM-ready?
A quick check to see if your phone supports eSIM.
100% secure payment
Multiple payment methods accepted
United Arab Emirates eSIM — travel data plan
United Arab Emirates: a digital SIM card with fast mobile data, active from the moment you land.
United Arab Emirates eSIM plans and prices
4% in SimCoins100 MB7 days · $15.36∕GB7 days$15.36∕GB$1.50
1 GB7 days · $4.46∕GB7 days$4.46∕GB$4.46
3 GB30 days · $2.98∕GB30 days$2.98∕GB$8.93
5 GB30 days · $2.32∕GB30 days$2.32∕GB$11.60
10 GB30 days · $1.90∕GB30 days$1.90∕GB$19.04
20 GBBest value30 days · $1.60∕GB30 days$1.60∕GB$31.90
- Networks
- Du
- Mobile network
- 5G
- Hotspot / tethering
- Yes
- Top-up
- Yes
- Validity
- 30 days
50 GB30 days · $1.75∕GB30 days$1.75∕GB$87.36
Unlimited United Arab Emirates eSIM plans: high-speed data every day
Unlimited5 days · $3.81∕day5 days$3.81∕day$19.04
Unlimited7 days · $3.70∕day7 days$3.70∕day$25.87
Unlimited10 days · $3.55∕day10 days$3.55∕day$35.52
Unlimited15 days · $3.57∕day15 days$3.57∕day$53.62
Unlimited30 days · $3.29∕day30 days$3.29∕day$98.81
- 14-day refund if not activated
- Support within 24 h
- Install before you leave
Need help choosing?
Not sure which plan to pick? Try our data calculator.
100% secure payment
Multiple payment methods accepted
United Arab Emirates eSIM networks: Du and Etisalat
Your Simsima eSIM connects to these tested networks in the United Arab Emirates:
- EtisalatFastest
Etisalat
#1 of 2 in nPerf's ranking · 5G
FastestDown
56Mb/s
- Up
- 10 Mb/s
- Latency
- 79 ms
- du
du
#2 of 2 in nPerf's ranking · 5G
Down
44Mb/s
- Up
- 9 Mb/s
- Latency
- 106 ms
eSIM, SIM card or pocket WiFi in the United Arab Emirates?
Four ways to get online when you land, and what changes for you.
For a trip in the United Arab Emirates, an eSIM is the simplest
Installed at home, online as soon as you land, and your number stays active. No counter, no device to return.
| Simsima.Travel eSIM | Local SIM card | Pocket WiFi | Your carrier's roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to get it | Online, before you fly | On arrival, at an airport counter or store | Rental: a device to pick up, then return | Already in your usual plan |
| Online | As soon as you land, installed at home | After buying it locally | After picking up the device | As soon as you land |
| Your number | Stays active on your usual line | Replaced by a local number, your SIM comes out | Stays on your phone | Stays active |
| ID required | None | Passport required to buy source | Depends on the rental company | None |
| Devices | Your phone, hotspot allowed | One unlocked phone | Several devices, battery to charge | Your phone |
| Price | From $1.50 | ≈ $54.19 for unlimited, 7 days (du) source | Daily rental | Depends on your carrier |
Prices checked on 2026-10-10 on carrier and rental websites, converted at the day's rate. They may have changed since.
How to get and activate your United Arab Emirates eSIM in 3 steps
Get set up in under 2 minutes. No physical SIM card to wait for.
- 1
09:41
Choose your plan
Your destination, your data, your duration. Your eSIM arrives by email within seconds.
- 209:41
Install it before you leave
Under 2 minutes: on the phone you travel with, one tap on the Smart Link installs it (iPhone on iOS 17.4 or later, and Android); otherwise, scan the QR code. Your plan only starts once you arrive.
- 309:41
Connected as soon as you land
Turn on the eSIM's data when you arrive, then track your usage from your account.
Good to know in the United Arab Emirates
The practical basics for your first days there.
- Currency
- Dirham (AED)
- Transport
- Uber, Careem
- Delivery
- Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem
- Emergency
- 999 (police), 998 (ambulance)
- Voltage
- 230V
- Tipping
- 10-15% at restaurants, sometimes included
Frequently asked questions
Essential information about using a Simsima eSIM in the United Arab Emirates.
For the United Arab Emirates, pick an eSIM on a major network in the country, with a low price per GB and an unlimited plan that states its daily cap. Depending on the plan, Simsima's eSIM for the United Arab Emirates runs on Du or Etisalat. Data goes as low as $1.60 per GB (20 GB, 30 days), at October 2026 prices. Unlimited starts at $19.04 for 5 days. Our eSIM comparison for the United Arab Emirates puts the market's offers side by side.
In the United Arab Emirates, a Simsima eSIM costs from $1.50 (100 MB, 7 days) to $98.81 (unlimited, 30 days), at October 2026 prices. For a one-week trip, this plan is enough: 5 GB, 30 days at $11.60. Unlimited starts at $19.04 for 5 days. You pay once, with no commitment, and get 4% back in SimCoins once your eSIM is activated.
Yes, for most travelers to the United Arab Emirates: installed before you fly, the eSIM connects to a local network when you land, with no store to find and no pocket WiFi to rent and return. Before you go, compare it with your carrier's roaming rate for the United Arab Emirates. It's not for you if your phone doesn't support eSIM or if you need a local phone number: Simsima plans are data only.
In the United Arab Emirates, plan on about 5 GB for one week, 10 GB for two and 15 GB for three: 717 MB a day, the average traveler's usage in BEREC's data roaming figures. In plan terms: 5 GB, 30 days at $11.60 for one week, 10 GB, 30 days at $19.04 for two, 20 GB, 30 days at $31.90 for three. Go bigger if you stream video or share your connection. Our data calculator fine-tunes the estimate.
Yes, Simsima offers unlimited data in the United Arab Emirates for 5 to 30 days, starting at $19.04 for 5 days, at October 2026 prices. Each day, high speed covers 2 GB to 3 GB depending on the plan length, then speed is reduced until the next day. The 30-day plan costs $98.81, about $3.29 a day. Hotspot is allowed.
In the United Arab Emirates, Simsima's eSIM connects to Du or Etisalat depending on the plan, on 4G and 5G. Each plan's details, under the plan list, show its networks. Your phone picks the available network on its own; if there's an issue, you can select one manually. In nPerf's 2026 report, average download speeds reached 56 Mbps on 5G with Etisalat.
In the United Arab Emirates, the telecoms regulator (TDRA) only allows internet voice and video calls on apps it has approved, such as BOTIM, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are therefore restricted there. Messaging isn't: with your eSIM's data, you can text and send photos and videos on WhatsApp as you do at home. Your regular line stays on your phone for standard calls, at your carrier's roaming rates.
In the United Arab Emirates, an eSIM is the only one of the three you set up before you fly: no store to find on arrival, no device to rent, charge and return. A local SIM card is bought in the country and takes your regular SIM's place, with your passport. A du plan costs about $54.19 (unlimited data, 7 days). With Simsima, a week fits in one plan, 5 GB, 30 days at $11.60, and hotspot lets you connect a laptop too.
Buy your eSIM for the United Arab Emirates online a few days before your trip and install it at home over Wi-Fi: its validity only starts when it first connects there. No ID is required, and you have 180 days from purchase to activate it. As long as it hasn't been activated, our support team refunds it on request within 14 days of purchase.
An eSIM works in the United Arab Emirates in three steps: buy it online, install it before you fly, and turn it on when you land. You get it right after payment, with a copy by email, and install it by link, QR code or manual entry. In the United Arab Emirates, set the eSIM as your cellular data line and turn on Data Roaming for that line. Hotspot is allowed.
Yes, turn off Data Roaming on your regular line while you're in the United Arab Emirates: installing an eSIM doesn't stop it from connecting abroad, and your carrier can still bill you. On iPhone, also turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching. Keep Data Roaming on for the eSIM line, though: that's the line that connects to the local network, at no cost beyond your plan.
An eSIM for the United Arab Emirates has its limits: your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked, you don't get a local number, and setup needs an internet connection. Simsima plans are data only, with no local calls or texts. Unlimited slows down once its daily high-speed allowance is used. And if you delete the eSIM from your phone, you can't reinstall it yourself: our support team has to help.
Yes, your phone will work with an eSIM for the United Arab Emirates if it supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked, which includes iPhone XS, Galaxy S20, Pixel 3 and newer. To check on iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for EID. On Android, look for "Add eSIM" in your SIM settings. If your phone came from your carrier, ask them to unlock it before you go. Our eSIM-compatible devices page has the full list.
If your eSIM won't connect in the United Arab Emirates, check three settings: the eSIM is your cellular data line, Data Roaming is on for that line, and you've restarted your phone. If that doesn't fix it, enter the APN if your confirmation email lists one, then pick a network manually from those listed in your plan's details. Our human support team answers by chat and email, usually within 24 hours.
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