Vodafone eSIM — coverage, plans & network
Europe, Africa, Asia & Oceania
Key highlights
- Founded on 17 July 1984; demerged from Racal Electronics in 1991
- Headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom
- Independent, listed on the London Stock Exchange (VOD) and NASDAQ
- Owns and operates networks in 15 countries plus partners in 46+ more
- Approximately 310 million mobile customers (FY2025)
- FTSE 100 constituent; majority owner of African operator Vodacom
About the operator
Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom. Established on 17 July 1984 and demerged from Racal Electronics in 1991, Vodafone became an independent, publicly listed company traded on the London Stock Exchange (VOD) and on NASDAQ. It is one of the world’s largest mobile network operators by subscribers.
As of 2025, Vodafone owns and operates networks in 15 countries and has partner network agreements in over 46 more, with major presence in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Turkey, plus African operations through its majority-owned subsidiary Vodacom. The group reported around 310 million mobile customers in its FY2025 results and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
- Founded
- 1984
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Network
- 3G, 4G, 5G
- Subscribers
- ~310M mobile customers (FY2025)
Network & technology
Vodafone operates 4G LTE and 5G networks across its European footprint, with FY25 5G coverage reaching approximately 75% of the population in its European markets and Vodafone 5G live in around 40 countries globally as of May 2025. Operating units have won multiple Opensignal awards in 2025, including Reliability Experience wins in Spain and global recognition for Vodafone Netherlands and Vodafone Czechia.
Reputation & market position
Vodafone enjoys strong network-performance recognition from Opensignal in several markets but consumer reviews on Trustpilot are mixed, with recurring complaints in the UK about customer service wait times and billing issues. The brand is widely recognized globally, though some markets report price levels above local competitors.
Pros
- Extensive multi-country footprint with partner networks in 60+ countries combined
- Strong technical performance, including multiple Opensignal awards for reliability in 2025
- Mature, well-funded 5G rollout reaching about 75% of population in European markets
Cons
- Customer-service experience criticized in Trustpilot reviews, especially in the UK
- Pricing sometimes higher than smaller local competitors in some markets
Available plans
Countries covered
Get your Hungary eSIM, Italy eSIM, Portugal eSIM, Qatar eSIM or Vatican City eSIM from AviaeSIM — instant QR activation, no roaming fees.
middle_east_africa
How to activate
- 1Choose your destination and a plan on the Vodafone network
- 2Pay and receive your eSIM QR code by email
- 3Scan the QR code in your phone's settings to install it
- 4Turn on data roaming for the eSIM when you arrive
Frequently asked questions
Does Vodafone support eSIM?
Yes. Vodafone sells eSIM on pay-monthly and prepaid plans in most of its European markets, including Germany and Portugal, activated through the My Vodafone app or a QR code from a Vodafone store. Rules differ by country, so check the local Vodafone unit. If you only need travel data, a prepaid AviaeSIM plan that connects to Vodafone locally is a contract-free alternative.
How do I get a Vodafone eSIM as a tourist?
You usually need to visit a local Vodafone store with your passport, since many markets require ID registration for prepaid SIMs and app-based signup is often limited to residents. A simpler route for a short trip is a prepaid AviaeSIM travel eSIM: buy it online before departure, install it by QR code, and it uses the Vodafone network where available, with no store visit or local ID.
Which countries can I use an AviaeSIM plan on the Vodafone network?
AviaeSIM travel plans currently connect to the Vodafone network in five destinations: Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Qatar and Vatican City. Coverage in each country matches Vodafone's local footprint, including 4G and 5G where the network offers it. Note that AviaeSIM is an independent travel eSIM service, not Vodafone; it simply uses Vodafone as the local partner network in these countries.
Vodafone roaming or a travel eSIM, which is better for a trip?
If you already have a Vodafone contract, EU roaming is often included, so short trips inside Europe may cost nothing extra. Outside those zones, daily roaming fees add up quickly. Visitors without a Vodafone contract cannot use Vodafone roaming at all; for them a prepaid travel eSIM such as AviaeSIM, with a fixed data allowance on the Vodafone network, is the more predictable option.
Useful links
Other operators
Information updated: 2026-05