Internet in Switzerland: Roaming, a Swiss SIM or an eSIM?
Switzerland has one of the largest Albanian communities in Europe, so plenty of people from Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia visit family in Zurich, Geneva, Basel or St. Gallen, or go for work. Switzerland is famously expensive, and so is mobile data there if you rely on roaming. A travel eSIM keeps it cheap.
Why roaming in Switzerland costs so much
- Switzerland is not in the EU, so EU "roam like at home" rules do not apply there. Even many EU SIM cards charge extra in Switzerland.
- For SIMs from Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia, Switzerland is outside the regional roaming zones, and data is usually charged per megabyte or with daily passes.
Check your own operator's rate for Switzerland before you go. Prices differ a lot between operators.
Swiss prepaid SIM cards
You can buy a prepaid SIM in Switzerland, but you have to register it with your passport or ID card, and tourist packages are not cheap. It makes sense if you need a Swiss phone number. For mobile data on a visit, an eSIM is usually simpler and cheaper.
What a Switzerland eSIM costs
| Visit | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A few days | 1 GB, 7 days | €1.19 |
| One or two weeks | 5 GB, 30 days | €3.39 |
| A month with family | 10 GB, 30 days | €5.69 |
| Long stay or heavy use | 20 GB, 30 days | €10.39 |
Prices as of October 2026. Current prices are always on the Switzerland eSIM page. The plans use the Sunrise and Salt 5G networks.
Visiting Germany, Austria or Italy on the same trip?
Many people combine Switzerland with family in Germany or a trip to northern Italy. Most Europe-wide plans include Switzerland together with the EU countries, so one eSIM can cover the whole trip. See the Europe plans.
Tips for Switzerland
- SBB Mobile, the Swiss railway app, is the easiest way to buy train tickets, and it needs data.
- Mountains: coverage is very good, even in the Alps, but it can drop in tunnels and deep valleys. Download offline maps if you go hiking.
- Install the eSIM before you fly, then switch data to it when you land in Zurich, Geneva or Basel.
How it works
- Buy the eSIM on rrugo.com/esim or in the RruGO app.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi, using our installation guide.
- When you land, choose the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it. Your own number stays in the phone for calls and texts.
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