Which countries are covered by the Middle East and North Africa eSIM?

Coverage includes Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. The full list is available in the plan description.

Does the eSIM also work in the desert or in rural areas?

In the main cities and tourist destinations coverage is excellent. In the most remote desert areas or sparsely populated rural areas coverage may be limited, as also happens with local SIMs.

Can I use WhatsApp and video calls?

In most countries yes. However, in some countries such as the United Arab Emirates VoIP calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) may be restricted by local regulations. Text messaging and web browsing work everywhere.

Do I need a visa to visit these countries?

Rules vary by country. Italian citizens can enter Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia without a visa for short stays. For Egypt, Jordan and other countries an electronic visa or a visa on arrival may be needed. Always check before departure.

What type of power socket is used in the Middle East?

It varies by country: Turkey and Morocco use type C/F sockets compatible with Italy. For the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Egypt you may need an adapter. See the individual destination page for details.

How much does an eSIM for Middle East and North Africa cost?

eSIM plans for Middle East and North Africa start from €3.69. You pay once for the amount of data you choose — no subscription, no monthly fees and no hidden roaming charges. Plans with more data or longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM or roaming better in Middle East and North Africa?

A local eSIM in Middle East and North Africa is almost always much cheaper than the roaming of your Italian operator. In the European Union roaming is often already included ("Roam Like at Home"), but outside the EU the costs can be very high — with an eSIM you know the price in advance and pay only for the data plan you need.

Can I keep my Italian number with the eSIM in Middle East and North Africa?

Yes. Your Italian SIM and number stay active — the travel eSIM works alongside it as a data-only line. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or Wi-Fi while you use the local network to browse. Traditional calls and SMS still go through your Italian number.

Should I activate the eSIM before or after I leave?

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you leave. The data plan then activates automatically when you connect in Middle East and North Africa. That way you are online as soon as you arrive, without looking for airport Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Can I top up or renew the plan for Middle East and North Africa?

Yes. When the data runs out or the validity expires, just buy a new plan — the eSIM profile already installed is kept and does not need to be installed again. You stay connected without interruption.

Can I share the connection (hotspot) in Middle East and North Africa?

Yes. You can share the connection in Middle East and North Africa through a personal hotspot with a computer, tablet or other devices. Shared data is deducted from your plan, so allow a few extra gigabytes if you expect to use the hotspot often.

How many GB do I need for Middle East and North Africa?

For a normal trip, 1–3 GB a week is enough for maps, messages and occasional browsing. With social media and photo sharing allow about 5 GB; for streaming, video calls or a hotspot count on 10 GB or more. If the volume is not enough, you can buy an additional plan at any time.

eSIM plans for Middle East and North Africa

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30-day returns
Support in Italian
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eSIM for Middle East and North Africa — at a glance

From: €3.69
Technology: 4G/5G
Network coverage: 90%
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Middle East and North Africa

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€3.69
Unlimited	3 days	€19.99
Unlimited	5 days	€29.99
Unlimited	7 days	€34.99
Unlimited	10 days	€43.99
Unlimited	15 days	€66.99
Unlimited	30 days	€83.99
1 GB	7 days	€5.99
2 GB	15 days	€11.99
3 GB	30 days	€13.99
5 GB	30 days	€14.99
10 GB	30 days	€30.99
20 GB	30 days	€45.99
50 GB	30 days	€82.99

12 countries in this region

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Bahrain

Egypt

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Morocco

Oman

Qatar

Tunisia

The pyramids of Giza, the souks of Marrakech, the futuristic skyscrapers of Dubai, the mosques of Istanbul — the Middle East and North Africa have always been lands of fascination for the Italian traveller. Geographic proximity and direct flights from Italy make these destinations easy to reach, but mobile connectivity can hold surprises: local SIMs with mandatory registration, opaque plans and high roaming costs outside the EU. With the Datiovunque eSIM, a single regional plan covers the main countries of the MENA region, with no queues at the airport and no additional documents.

Countries covered

Turkey, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Morocco and more than 10 countries

Flight time from Rome

2-5 hours for the main destinations

Time zone

From 0 to 3 hours ahead of Rome

Currency

Various: Turkish lira, dirham, dinar, riyal — bring euros or dollars to exchange

Why use an eSIM in the Middle East and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa are outside the European Union, which means that the roaming included in the Italian plan does not apply: browsing with an Italian SIM in Turkey, Egypt or Morocco can cost several euros per megabyte. Buying local SIMs is possible but often complicated: in many countries a copy of the passport is needed, registration can take time and the staff do not always speak Italian or English. With the Datiovunque eSIM you prepare before leaving: installation in a few minutes, automatic activation on landing. For those visiting several countries in the same region — a classic is the Turkey-Egypt or Morocco-Tunisia tour — a single regional plan takes away any worry about connectivity.

Network coverage in Middle East and North Africa

Operator

Main operators (Turkcell, Vodafone Egypt, Etisalat, Maroc Telecom)

+ Local partner operators for maximum coverage

Technology

4G/5G

Coverage

90%

Installing an eSIM for Middle East and North Africa: how does it work?

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Middle East and North Africa and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Middle East and North Africa and get online straight away.

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Middle East and North Africa and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Middle East and North Africa and get online straight away.

Which eSIM plan fits you best?

Holidaymakers

Going away for 1-2 weeks? Pick a plan with 3-5 GB for maps, photos and messages.

Business travellers

For video conferencing and email while travelling, we suggest at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpackers

A longer trip is better served by 10+ GB, or by a regional plan that spans multiple countries.

Families

For families with several devices we recommend a plan with tethering support and enough data.

Which suits Middle East and North Africa best: an eSIM, a local SIM or a Wi-Fi hotspot?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Bought locally	Pick-up/delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €3.69	€5–30	€5–15/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up at any time	Fixed data allowance	Daily rental
Recommended	Ideal for travellers	For long stays	For groups/families

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Common questions about the eSIM for Middle East and North Africa

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