Dutch Phone Number & Data

Let’s be honest, we are all addicted to our phones in some way. Imagine moving to the Netherlands and needing Wi-Fi to look up simple things like directions, opening times, or messaging your parents that you have arrived.

First of all:

1. All universities offer eduroam – a global initiative giving students (with an active student account!) access to wifi in/around university buildings. This will suffice if all you do is be home or be at uni.
2. Do you have a phone plan from the EU, EEA, or the UK? Your subscription should be valid in the Netherlands as well, with no extra charges as per EU laws. Check with your carrier to be sure. Sometimes, there are limitations in place that will require you to be in your home country for X time per year.

Should you get a Dutch phone number?

Long-term, we recommend getting a Dutch number as many places require a ’06’ number (aka Dutch mobile number). For example, when ordering online. However, there are several ways you can first sort out stuff:

1. Get a travel eSIM
   This is super helpful when you are just arriving. You don’t need to worry about proving your identity or looking for a physical store. You can pre-purchase an eSIM up to 180 days in advance for cheap, starting at just 1 EUR. An eSIM can be installed alongside your regular SIM card. Note that this only provides data and not a phone number. Check out our collaboration with Get Me Online here and get 10% off any plan with code UNIGUIDENL10: https://get-me.online/
2. Get a Dutch prepaid SIM
   There are several carriers offering prepaid plans in the Netherlands. In general, you always need to prove your identity as per Dutch and EU regulations. This can be done online or in person (sometimes) and involves uploading your passport or ID card and taking a selfie. You can expect monthly costs between 5-15 EUR, depending on your needs.
   Here are some carriers we have had a good experience with:
   – Lycamobile
   – Odido
   – KPN

Some more “Dutch phone culture” facts:

1. The number 1 messaging service in the Netherlands is WhatsApp. You can use this with any phone number. You will need this. Period. 💅
2. Most modern phones have either two SIM card slots or support 1 physical and 1 eSIM. This way, you can keep the number from your home country and be reachable (for your 2FA codes).
3. Many phone providers also offer home internet. If you rent an apartment or live in a room in a shared house where you already have wifi, check the provider and see if you can get a discount for your phone subscription (often 10-50% off your plan(s) or extra data).