Dutch prepaid SIMs need no passport and no local address - drop the card in and it works. The airport kiosks charge EUR 20 to EUR 25 for what an Albert Heijn supermarket sells for EUR 10, so buy in town.
- Prepaid SIMs here are anonymous - no passport, no registration, no proof of address. Put the card in and it activates itself.
- Schiphol's kiosks charge a 50% to 100% markup on the same packages sold at any supermarket till in town.
- A Lebara bundle is EUR 10.00 for 6 GB over 30 days, sold at the checkout in Albert Heijn, Jumbo, HEMA and Primera - which is where locals buy them.
- Airport tourist SIMs run EUR 20.00 to EUR 25.00 for roughly the same allowance.
- If your phone takes an eSIM, activate a profile before you fly and you are connected on the jet bridge.
What to buy as soon as you land
Prepaid SIMs here are anonymous - no passport, no registration, no proof of address. Put the card in an unlocked phone and it activates itself, which makes the Netherlands one of the easier countries in Europe for this.
- The only real question is where you buy, and the answer is almost never the airport. Schiphol's kiosks charge a 50% to 100% markup on the same packages sold at any supermarket till in town.
Comparison table
Prices verified for July 2026.
| Operator | Tourist package | Price | Data | Validity | Where to buy | Passport registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebara | Prepaid bundle | EUR 10.00 | 6 GB (KPN 5G network) | 30 days | Albert Heijn, Jumbo, HEMA, online | No |
| Simyo | Prepaid starter | EUR 5.00 | 2-5 GB (KPN network) | 30 days | Own shops, online | No |
| Lycamobile | Holland bundle | EUR 15.00 - EUR 20.00 | 10-20 GB | 30 days | Corner shops, newsagents | No |
| Airport Telecom / Service Point | Tourist SIM Schiphol | EUR 20.00 - EUR 25.00 | 10-15 GB | 30 days | Schiphol Plaza arrivals | No |
| Saily (eSIM) | Netherlands data plan | USD 9.99 - USD 17.99 | 5-10 GB | 30 days | Online before departure | No |
Where exactly to buy
- Schiphol (AMS) - Service Point and the Airport Telecom kiosk in Schiphol Plaza between arrivals halls 3 and 4, with AKO and Relay newsagents also carrying prepaid cards. Convenient, and roughly double the price.
- Supermarkets - Albert Heijn and Jumbo sell Lebara and Lycamobile packs at the checkout, as do HEMA and Primera. This is where locals buy them.
- Operator shops - KPN, Vodafone and Odido have stores in every city centre if you want help with the setup.
Short verdict
- Phone takes an eSIM: activate a Saily profile before you fly and you are connected on the jet bridge.
- Physical card: ignore the arrivals hall, take the train into town, and pick up a Lebara bundle for EUR 10 in the first Albert Heijn you pass.
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