eSIM for stays of 30 days or more

It depends on that plan's own terms, which are stated on its page. In many cases counting begins when the profile first connects to a network at the destination, but some use a different rule. Read it before buying, note the time of your first connection, and set a reminder three days before the end so you can renew while you still have data.

No. When the validity ends, the remaining days and the remaining allowance end together, and nothing is refunded. On a long stay it works out better to size close to real usage and then adjust the next cycle from what the phone's data usage screen shows.

If your dates are firm and you can estimate consumption reasonably well, a single plan covering the period is simpler to manage. If you are not sure you will stay the full time, or not sure how much you will use, renewing in cycles lets you resize each month from reality. The options and validities available differ by destination, so check that country's plan page.

It depends on what you need a domestic number for. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so if you must verify with a bank, sign up for services that require a local number, or be reachable by phone locally, you will need one as well. The smooth approach is to run the eSIM from day one and arrange the local SIM when it suits you.

An eSIM profile belongs to the device rather than to a cloud account. Some newer OS versions can transfer a profile between phones, but it depends on both devices and on the supplier. Ask us before you move it, and do not delete it from the old phone first — once deleted, the original QR code usually cannot be reused.

A single-country plan works only in the country it names, so it will not function while you are outside the coverage area, and the days generally keep counting because validity runs consecutively. It works normally again on your return if it has not expired. If you leave often, look at a regional plan or add a small plan for the country you visit.