The Czech Republic has three mobile carriers that offer eSIM: O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone. As a visitor, getting one of their eSIMs is possible, but it takes some effort: Czech-language websites, an online identity check or a trip to a store. A travel eSIM is the simpler route. You buy it online, install it before you fly and you're connected when you land in Prague. And if your phone plan is from another EU country, you may not need a new eSIM at all. This guide covers what each Czech carrier offers and how to choose.
Short on time? These travel eSIMs all work in the Czech Republic and in the rest of Europe, so they also cover day trips to Vienna, Dresden or Bratislava.
Data-only Europe plans · Czech Republic included · See Czech Republic eSIMs · See all Europe eSIMs
eSIM providers in the Czech Republic
All three Czech carriers run 4G and 5G networks. They switched off their 3G networks in 2021 (Developing Telecoms: 3G shutdown in Czechia). Here is how each one handles eSIM.
O2 Czech Republic eSIM
O2 offers eSIM on its mobile plans. According to O2's eSIM page (in Czech):
- New customers order a plan online and choose eSIM as the SIM type. If O2 can verify your identity online, your eSIM is ready within minutes.
- Delivery: you download the eSIM in the Moje O2 app, or get a QR code in the app or by email.
- Prepaid: on a prepaid plan, you get an eSIM voucher by email or in person when the eSIM is activated. O2's prepaid cards are sold under the name GO (O2: prepaid cards).
T-Mobile Czech Republic eSIM
T-Mobile's prepaid brand is called Twist. Its prepaid page (in Czech) shows that some Twist cards can be ordered as an eSIM. After you order, T-Mobile emails you your new phone number and a link to a QR code. Other Twist cards are only sold as a physical SIM.
T-Mobile also says eSIM is free to issue and activate, and existing customers can switch to eSIM in the My T-Mobile app (T-Mobile: eSIM, in Czech).
Vodafone Czech Republic eSIM
Vodafone delivers eSIMs as a paper QR code (printed in a store or sent by post), as a QR code in the Můj Vodafone app, or directly to your phone (Vodafone: eSIM, in Czech).
For visitors, Vodafone sells a Data SIM for Visitors. It's a physical SIM, not an eSIM, sold at Relay stores at Prague airport and at Vodafone stores. Vodafone also says that ordering a new plan online isn't possible if you're not a Czech citizen (Vodafone: Data SIM for Visitors).
Can you get a Czech eSIM as a tourist?
Yes, but it's not as easy as buying a travel eSIM. Here's what to expect:
- Language: O2 and T-Mobile explain their eSIM and prepaid offers in Czech. Vodafone has an English page for its visitor SIM.
- Identity check: O2's fast online eSIM order depends on verifying your identity online.
- Online orders: Vodafone doesn't accept online orders for new plans from non-Czech citizens.
- Store visit: the visitor offers sold in stores are often physical SIMs, so you buy them after you land.
- A Czech number: the upside of a local plan is a Czech phone number, which helps if Czech businesses need to call or text you.
Carrier offers and rules change, so check the carrier's current page before you rely on one. For more local options, see our guide to the best prepaid SIM card for the Czech Republic.
Local Czech eSIM or travel eSIM: which suits you?
A local eSIM from O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone makes sense if
- You stay several weeks or months, or you live in the Czech Republic.
- You need a Czech phone number for work, housing or local services.
- You read Czech or don't mind getting help in a store.
A travel eSIM makes sense if
- You're visiting for days or a few weeks.
- You want to be online the moment you land, without a store visit.
- Your trip also takes you to other European countries.
- You call and message mostly with WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps.
Most travel eSIMs are data-only. You keep your own number on your phone for texts and security codes, and use the travel eSIM for data. Here's how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM. Comparing travel eSIMs? See the best eSIMs for the Czech Republic.
Need a phone number in the Czech Republic?
If hotels, tour guides or restaurants need to call or text you, a plan with a phone number helps. At SimOptions, the Bouygues Telecom plans come with a French +33 number, unlimited calls and SMS within Europe, and data in 46 countries, including the Czech Republic. It's not a Czech number, but people in Europe can call and text you on it, and you can call European numbers.
Travel Basic+ is 20 GB for 15 days. For longer stays, see all plans with a number in our guide to the Europe eSIM with a phone number.
Do you need an eSIM if your plan is from the EU?
The Czech Republic is in the EU. Under the EU's "roam like at home" rules, a mobile plan from another EU country works in the Czech Republic at domestic prices, within fair use limits. The rules also cover Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (European Commission: Roaming). So if you're coming from Poland, Germany or France, your usual plan may be enough. Check your data allowance for roaming first.
These rules don't apply to plans from the UK, the US, Canada or other countries outside the EU. Your carrier sets its own roaming prices, so check them before you go, or use a travel eSIM for data. See the correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
How to set up a travel eSIM for the Czech Republic
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. iPhone XS, XR and later models support eSIM (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). More in our guide to checking eSIM compatibility.
- Buy your plan. Your QR code comes by email.
- Install it on Wi-Fi before you fly. The eSIM activates on its own when you arrive in a covered country.
- When you land, select the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it.
- Keep your home line on for calls and texts if you need it, but turn off data roaming on it to avoid charges.
Travelling through several countries? Read how to use an eSIM in Europe. Heading to Poland? See our guide to eSIM providers in Poland.
FAQs
Does O2 Czech Republic offer eSIM?
Yes. O2 offers eSIM on its mobile plans. New customers can order a plan with eSIM online, and the eSIM is downloaded in the Moje O2 app or installed with a QR code. Prepaid customers get an eSIM voucher by email or in person.
Does an O2 Czech eSIM work on iPhone?
Yes, as long as your iPhone supports eSIM (iPhone XS, XR or later) and is unlocked. You install it with the Moje O2 app or a QR code, like any other eSIM.
Are there prepaid eSIMs other than O2?
Yes. T-Mobile sells some Twist prepaid cards as an eSIM online. Vodafone also offers eSIM, but its visitor offer is a physical SIM. A travel eSIM is another prepaid option you can buy before you leave.
Does T-Mobile Czech Republic offer eSIM?
Yes. T-Mobile offers eSIM for its plans and for some Twist prepaid cards. You get your new number and a QR code link by email.
Does Vodafone Czech Republic offer eSIM?
Yes. Vodafone delivers eSIMs as a QR code or directly to your phone. Its Data SIM for Visitors is a physical SIM, though, and non-Czech citizens can't order a new plan online.
What's the best eSIM for the Czech Republic?
It depends on your trip. For a short visit, a data-only travel eSIM you install before you fly is the easiest. If you need to call and text in Europe, pick a plan with a phone number. If you stay for months, a local plan from O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone with a Czech number may suit you better.
Do Europe eSIMs work in the Czech Republic?
Yes, if the Czech Republic is on the plan's country list. All the Europe plans shown above include it. Check the coverage list of any plan before you buy.
Can I get a Czech phone number with an eSIM?
Only from a Czech carrier, such as O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone. Travel eSIMs are mostly data-only. The Bouygues Telecom plans at SimOptions come with a French +33 number that works in the Czech Republic.
