Partial 5G in Monaco, and what that means for your eSIM
Monaco has 1 mobile network: Monaco Telecom (5G). All 5 providers we rank route through these carriers. Our editorial pick routes through Monaco Telecom, which is the sole 5G carrier operating in Monaco. Airalo's catalogue starts at $22.52/GB with 5G access. Runners-up HelloRoam and Holafly connect via Monaco Telecom, scoring 4.9/5 and 4.3/5 on coverage.
Provider routing covers 1 mobile network in Monaco: Monaco Telecom. Monaco Telecom connects through the strongest combination of urban coverage and rural reach among those options. Monaco Telecom sits at the top of the published carrier list for travel eSIM traffic in Monaco. 5G is rolling out: Monaco Telecom launched 5G nationwide in 2023; full coverage across the principality.
A travel eSIM in Monaco attaches to Monaco Telecom on 5G. All 5 ranked providers ride that same host network rather than one of their own, so the network under a HelloRoam plan and the network under an Airalo plan is the same equipment. Monaco Telecom is the only operator on the published list for Monaco, which removes any fallback if it drops. This site publishes no throughput figure, because it runs no speed test.
5G status in Monaco: Monaco Telecom launched 5G nationwide in 2023; full coverage across the principality. Your eSIM automatically connects to the fastest available band when 5G is in range.
Monaco sets no SIM registration rule, so setup is a QR scan
Purchase your Monaco eSIM from the provider app or website. Scan the QR code over WiFi at home. The eSIM installs in under 2 minutes. Label the new line "Monaco Data" to keep it separate from your home SIM.
When you land in Monaco, enable data roaming on the eSIM line. Your phone connects to Monaco Telecom's 5G network within 30 seconds. No ID verification is needed for travel eSIMs in Monaco.
Set up your Monaco eSIM before boarding your flight to Europe. Installation takes under 5 minutes on any unlocked iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or Google Pixel 3+. We recommend completing setup at least 24 hours before your 2-day trip. Monaco has 1 carrier network, and plans start at $30.26 for 1GB.
Your eSIM connects to Monaco Telecom's 5G network in Monaco. The country operates 1 network: Monaco Telecom. Monaco Telecom provides the strongest combination of urban reach and tourist-corridor coverage based on network data.
Open your provider's app, scan the QR code, and select Monaco as your data plan destination. Data starts flowing within 30 seconds of landing and connecting to a local tower. The catalogue lists 6 plans for Monaco, starting at $22.52/GB on Monaco Telecom's infrastructure.
No ID verification or passport scan is needed for tourist eSIMs in Monaco. Activation completes without paperwork.
5G is expanding in Monaco: Monaco Telecom launched 5G nationwide in 2023; full coverage across the principality. Outside 5G zones, your eSIM falls back to 5G.
For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our eSIM buying guide.
How much data you need in Monaco, where gigabytes cost more
The published price ladder for Monaco: 1GB at $30.26 ($30.26/GB), 3GB at $85.74 ($28.58/GB), 5GB at $134.48 ($26.90/GB), 10GB at $245.43 ($24.54/GB), 20GB at $450.47 ($22.52/GB). Best value sits at 20GB for $450.47, at $22.52 per gigabyte. Budget entry starts at $30.26 for 1GB. Premium unlimited daily data costs $53.79/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. Longer commitments reduce the daily rate: the 7-day plan drops to $49.49/day (8% off). Among the 5 providers we ranked, HelloRoam scores highest on pricing (4.8/5). Holafly follows at 4.7/5. Ladder rates run from $22.52 to about $30.26 depending on plan size.
Before purchasing an eSIM for Monaco, our editors flagged these details.
Only one carrier.
Monaco sits in the Europe region with 1 mobile network accepting eSIM roaming connections. Monaco Telecom is the primary carrier for travel eSIMs in this market, operating on 5G.
European destinations offer strong eSIM infrastructure overall. Monaco's 1 network provide solid redundancy for travelers moving between cities.
Only one carrier.
Light travelers (maps, messaging, email) use 500MB-1GB per day. Moderate users (social media, photo uploads, ride-hailing) need 1-2GB daily. Heavy users (video calls, streaming, remote work) consume 2-4GB per day.
For a 2-day trip to Monaco: light users need roughly 2GB, moderate users need 3GB. The 20GB plan at $450.47 on Monaco Telecom covers the moderate scenario.
Monaco eSIM pricing on Monaco Telecom: 1GB: $30.26 ($30.26/GB), 3GB: $85.74 ($28.58/GB), 5GB: $134.48 ($26.90/GB), 10GB: $245.43 ($24.54/GB), 20GB: $450.47 ($22.52/GB). Larger plans reduce the per-GB cost. All prices are one-time with no auto-renewal.
Unlimited option: $53.79/day with no data cap (2GB at full speed). Multi-day discounts available: the 7-day plan costs $49.49/day.
Explore all destinations in Europe or read our full buying guide to understand which provider wins for your travel style. See also: the rubric each provider is scored against.
No published airport SIM price for Monaco, so compare on setup time
SIM kiosks at the main airport in Monaco vary in price and availability depending on the terminal and time of arrival. Queues can be unpredictable, especially after peak international flights. An eSIM on Monaco Telecom's 5G network starts at $22.52/GB and activates from your phone in under 2 minutes, before you even reach baggage claim.
For Monaco, eSIM providers offer competitive per-gigabyte rates starting at $22.52/GB on Monaco Telecom. You buy before departure, install over WiFi at home, and land with data already working. You skip the paperwork, the language barrier at the counter, and the risk of getting a plan that expires before your trip ends.
Our pick for Monaco, and when unlimited overtakes per-gigabyte
For budget travelers the pricing dimension is the one to read: HelloRoam publishes an entry rate of $3.50/GB and scores 4.8/5 there, ahead of Holafly at 4.7/5. Plans in Monaco attach to Monaco Telecom on 5G. Airalo's Monaco catalogue sits above that: the ladder steps from $30.26 for 1GB to $450.47 for 20GB, and the 20GB rung is its cheapest gigabyte at $22.52. Holafly sells unlimited at $2.99/day, so a trip past 151 days costs more on the day rate than the 20GB rung costs outright at $450.47. One local detail the rubric does not score: Among most expensive data globally.
HelloRoam earns the Monaco pick at 9.5/10, with the top mark on network tier, pricing and support. Its published entry rate is $3.50/GB, which no rung on this ladder beats, the closest being 20GB at $22.52/GB.
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points back, and the ladder this page quotes is Airalo's own Monaco catalogue, which bottoms out at $22.52/GB.
Worth knowing before you buy for Monaco: French networks bleed across border.
eSIM provider comparison for Monaco (June 2026)| Provider | Score | $/GB | Best For | Action |
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| HelloRoam | 9.5/10 | from $3.50/GB | Editors Choice | Get deal → |
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| Airalo | 9.3/10 | $4.50/GB | Widest Coverage | Get deal → |
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| Holafly | 8.9/10 | $2.99/day | Best Unlimited | Get deal → |
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| Saily | 8.4/10 | $3.99/GB | Best Privacy | Get deal → |
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| Nomad | 8/10 | $3.00/GB | Best Budget | Get deal → |
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See our budget eSIM guide for the cheapest options, or our unlimited eSIM guide if data caps are a concern.
Provider assessments for Monaco
HelloRoam
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on an entry rate of $3.50/GB, and the best rung on the Monaco ladder is 20GB at $22.52/GB, above that. Every provider here rides the same host networks in Monaco: Monaco Telecom on 5G.
Airalo
Airalo scores 9.3/10 on an entry rate of $4.50/GB, and the ladder on this page is its own Monaco catalogue: $30.26 for 1GB up to $450.47 for 20GB, bottoming out at $22.52/GB.
Holafly
Holafly scores 8.9/10 and sells unlimited only, at $2.99/day, so the comparison is a break-even: under 151 days that costs less than the 20GB rung's $450.47, and past it costs more.
Saily
Saily scores 8.4/10 on an entry rate of $3.99/GB, and no rung on the Monaco ladder costs less per gigabyte than that.
Nomad
Nomad scores 8.0/10 on an entry rate of $3.00/GB, and Airalo's catalogue floor for Monaco is $22.52/GB, over that.
Real-world usage in Monaco
Navigation and maps in Monaco
Google Maps and Waze use 5-10MB per hour of active navigation. On Monaco Telecom's 5G network, maps load in under 2 seconds. The 20GB plan at $450.47 covers 2-3 weeks of daily navigation.
Messaging and video calls
WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom run smoothly on 5G in Monaco. A 30-minute video call uses roughly 270MB. Hotel WiFi supplements your eSIM data for large downloads.
Streaming and content
HD video streaming uses about 1.5GB per hour on Monaco Telecom's network. Holafly's unlimited plan from $2.99/day handles heavy streaming without data caps.
Typical 2-day trip
A moderate traveler uses about 1.5GB per day across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For 2 days in Monaco, plan for 3GB total. The 20GB plan at $450.47 is the best match for this usage level.
Value analysis for Monaco
The 20GB plan delivers the strongest value at $22.52/GB for Monaco. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $30.26. Both tiers connect through Monaco Telecom's 5G network with identical speed access.
Unlimited data costs $53.79/day for Monaco. For trips under 9 days, a fixed plan wins on cost. Longer stays or heavy data usage tips the balance toward unlimited.
HelloRoam leads our Monaco value ranking with a 9.5/10 editorial score. 5 providers compete for Monaco. The published ladder starts at $22.52/GB.
How the rubric scored eSIMs for Monaco
All 5 providers are scored on the same five weighted dimensions, every input a figure the provider publishes: coverage 25%, pricing 25%, network tier 20%, app 15%, support 15%.
What the rubric read for Monaco: a carrier list of 1 operator, with Monaco Telecom on 5G; a 5-rung published ladder from $30.26 for 1GB to $450.47 for 20GB; a lowest catalogue rate of $22.52/GB, which is Airalo's; an unlimited daily option in the same Airalo catalogue.
Read the full scoring rubric.
Monaco in the Europe eSIM landscape
Monaco ranks in the mid tier for eSIM infrastructure in Europe. 1 network accept eSIM roaming, with Monaco Telecom providing the primary routing for all 5 providers.
Per-GB pricing in Monaco starts at $22.52, which is moderate for the Europe region. 6 plans are available across providers, including unlimited daily data at $53.79/day.
5G availability gives Monaco an edge over neighboring destinations that remain on 4G LTE only. Monaco Telecom launched 5G nationwide in 2023; full coverage across the principality.
Monaco eSIM: frequently asked questions
Why does HelloRoam earn your Monaco eSIM pick?
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on our published rubric for Monaco, the highest composite of the five providers ranked here. Plans for Monaco route through Monaco Telecom on 5G. HelloRoam refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days. Its dimension scores are coverage 4.9/5, network tier 4.7/5, app 4.7/5, pricing 4.8/5 and support 4.5/5. Airalo's published ladder for Monaco starts at $22.52/GB, with its 20GB plan at $450.47.
How do you score eSIM providers in Monaco?
The BesteSIM rubric scores HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily and Nomad on five published inputs. No figure here comes from a speed test. Coverage carries 25% and reads the operator list for Monaco, which names 1 carrier network led by Monaco Telecom. Price carries 25%, normalised to cost per gigabyte across every plan size. Network tier carries 20%, app features 15%, and support access 15%, the last read off published support languages: HelloRoam answers in 63, Airalo in 12, Saily in 1. Monaco Telecom launched 5G nationwide in 2023; full coverage across the principality. Every input is a published figure a reader can check.
What changed in the 2026 Monaco eSIM rankings?
Pricing update for 2026: the 1GB plan is now $30.26. All five providers route through Monaco Telecom in Monaco. 5G coverage note: Monaco Telecom launched 5G nationwide in 2023; full coverage across the principality. We rank 6 plans for Monaco, with the 20GB plan at $22.52/GB.
Which phones support eSIM for Monaco?
Your eSIM connects to Monaco Telecom's 5G network in Monaco. 5G is confirmed on iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+. Your device must be carrier-unlocked. Monaco Telecom publishes 5G service across Monaco. Check Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung/Android) to verify. Most 2022+ Android flagships also work on Monaco Telecom's 5G signal in Monaco.
Can I make phone calls with a Monaco travel eSIM?
Travel eSIMs provide data only on Monaco Telecom's 5G network. No local phone number is assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom over your Monaco data connection. Keep your home SIM active to receive calls on your regular number. All five providers ranked here (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) sell data-only plans for Monaco.
Does EU roaming apply to travel eSIMs in Monaco?
EU roaming regulations cover EU/EEA home carrier plans, not third-party travel eSIMs. In Monaco, your eSIM routes through Monaco Telecom at $22.52/GB. Monaco Telecom carries that routing on 5G in Monaco. The 20GB plan at $450.47 ($22.52/GB) is the lowest published cost per gigabyte on Monaco Telecom's 5G network. Non-EU visitors save 70-90% versus home carrier roaming rates for Monaco.
Which provider scores highest for European eSIM coverage including Monaco?
Airalo scores 5.0/5 for coverage across 39 European countries. In Monaco, all five providers route through Monaco Telecom on 5G. Monaco has 1 network accepting eSIM roaming. The coverage score separates providers on how many of those networks each one lists as a partner, not on anything timed in the field. Entry price for Monaco is $22.52/GB in the 2026 published plan list.
Can I tether or hotspot with a Monaco eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad allow tethering on their Monaco plans with no extra fee. You can share your 5G connection on Monaco Telecom with laptops and tablets. Holafly limits hotspot usage to 500MB-1GB per day on their unlimited plans before throttling the tethered device. Airalo's hotspot delivers 5G speeds to connected laptops and tablets without throttling.
What eSIM data plan size is best for Monaco?
The average traveler uses 1-2 GB/day in Monaco across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For a 2-day trip, you need roughly 24-36GB total. We recommend the 20GB plan at $450.47 ($22.52/GB) for the best value on Monaco Telecom. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $30.26 and top up if needed.
What is the best-scoring eSIM plan for Monaco?
The 20GB plan at $450.47 ($22.52/GB) takes the highest pricing score for Monaco, because it holds the lowest published cost per gigabyte in the catalogue. It routes through Monaco Telecom on 5G, the same carrier every one of the five providers uses here. Full plan range: 1GB at $30.26, 3GB at $85.74, 5GB at $134.48, 10GB at $245.43, 20GB at $450.47. The 20GB tier suits trips of 5 days or more.
How much does roaming cost in Monaco vs an eSIM?
Home carrier roaming in Monaco typically costs $5-15/day or $10-20/GB. An eSIM starts at $22.52/GB on Monaco Telecom's 5G network. The 20GB plan at $450.47 covers most trips for a fraction of roaming fees.
Can I use multiple eSIMs in Monaco?
Most modern phones support 8-10 eSIM profiles simultaneously. Only one data eSIM can be active at a time in Monaco. You can keep your home SIM active for calls while using an eSIM on Monaco Telecom for data. Switch between profiles in Settings without removing any.
Practical connectivity tips for Monaco travelers
Planning data for Monaco? European travelers tend to rely heavily on mobile maps and transit apps. Most travelers use 1-2GB per day for maps, messaging, and photo uploads. The 20GB plan at $450.47 covers a typical week-long visit on Monaco Telecom's 5G network.
The local time zone is CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2). wall outlets use Type C/E/F sockets, so pack the right adapter.
Save Monaco's emergency number (112/17/18/15) in your contacts before departure. the local currency is EUR (€). With an eSIM active, you step off the plane already connected to Monaco Telecom's network in Monaco.
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Monaco · 5 providers compared
