Best eSIM for Norway 2026: 8 Providers Tested (Hitting 700 Mbps)

Heading to Norway? With many UK providers reintroducing EU roaming charges, staying connected can be surprisingly pricey.

My recent trip to Norway reminded me exactly why travel eSIMs are so useful. Unlike in some other European countries, buying a local SIM card here can be cumbersome and expensive for a short trip or average data use. So I took the opportunity to put the top providers to the test.

While the Norwegian landscape is rugged, the digital infrastructure is top-tier. You just need to make sure you're not overpaying to access it. I tested 8 providers in and around Oslo to find out which ones actually deliver.

Short on time? Use code FYESIM15 for 15% off my best overall pick Jetpac, or Nomad if you just want the fastest speeds (I clocked nearly 700 Mbps).

Norway eSIM for UK Travellers

The very first thing to do before travelling to Norway is to check your contract for EU roaming status.

Although Norway (like the UK) is not a member of the EU, it is part of the EEA (European Economic Area). This means it takes part in many European regulations, including the 'Roam Like Home' rules, just like Iceland. Consequently, if your UK provider still offers free EU roaming (as O2 often does), Norway is likely included. However, checking the small print is crucial, as many other providers have reintroduced daily charges.

• If roaming is included in your plan, then a travel eSIM is generally unnecessary. The only exception would be if you expect to run out of your monthly data allowance during your trip.
• If your plan charges for roaming, purchasing a travel eSIM will likely save you money and is worth comparing anyway.

The alternatives. You have two other options: a local pay-as-you-go SIM card (which is generally very expensive in Norway) or a travel eSIM. In most cases, a travel eSIM is the superior choice. It offers a fast, local connection from the moment you arrive, without the hassle of airport queues.

I tested 8 providers in Oslo and Asker, and three stood out:

• Jetpac for the best all-round experience, with top-tier 5G speeds and handy travel perks
• Nomad for the fastest speeds, with a European plan that hit nearly 700 Mbps and works across the border in Sweden and Denmark
• Ubigi for a reliable, direct connection, with a stable link and a local Norwegian IP address

How much data do you actually need? It pays to think about this beforehand. Use our data calculator to estimate what you'll really use on your trip. Want to compare prices? Browse all 40+ providers via our Norway eSIM comparison tool, with prices starting from £0.50. Or read on for my personal review.

All Test Results

In Norway I found that, generally, all plans performed well, though there were significant outliers at both ends of the spectrum. Jetpac, Ubigi and Nomad were particularly strong on both download speeds and stability. Holafly, on the other hand, was by far the slowest: despite advertising 5G access, it never connected to 5G, not even in the heart of Oslo.

I tried all the plans across Oslo and Asker. The speed tests below were conducted in Asker (a town roughly 20 kilometres outside of Oslo) on an iPhone 16 Pro with the Ookla app. To ensure a fair comparison, all tests were completed within 30 minutes of each other at the exact same location.

All providers were personally tested by me in Norway with an iPhone 16 Pro using the Ookla app. The speed tests were conducted in Asker (a town roughly 20 kilometres outside of Oslo), with all tests completed within 30 minutes of each other at the exact same location. Routing (which country the data passes through) is listed too, but providers can change this at any time.

Local networks in Norway

These are the major mobile networks in Norway:

• Telenor
• Telia
• ICE

The Norwegian mobile landscape is dominated by two major players. Telenor offers the most extensive overall coverage, particularly in remote areas. Telia is a strong competitor, often noted for its excellent 5G availability and performance in urban areas.

While 5G is widely available in tourist hubs like Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø, a stable 4G/LTE signal remains the standard in the rest of the country.

Advice for road trips. Your network experience matters if you plan to travel outside the cities. If you're planning a road trip to the fjords or travelling north to the Arctic Circle, I'd avoid the budget network ICE. While adequate for urban areas, it lacks the robust native coverage of Telenor and Telia in rural regions. Leaving populated areas, check the local coverage on a site like nPerf.

Most premium travel eSIMs (including Jetpac and Nomad) partner with Telia, ensuring access to a high-quality network throughout the country.

Buying a local SIM card

An eSIM is generally easier than a local SIM card. However, if you absolutely need a local Norwegian phone number (+47), or if your phone doesn't support eSIM, a local provider is your only solution. Unfortunately, it's a cumbersome process. Especially for average data amounts (10 to 20 GB), it's often far too expensive.

At Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) you'll find a WH Smith shop immediately upon entering the arrivals hall after baggage reclaim. Inside, there's a Sim Local counter selling Norwegian Lyca Mobile prepaid cards.

Prices at Oslo airport (2025):

• 30 GB: NOK 399 (around £28)
• 100 GB: NOK 499 (around £35)

(Prices fluctuate; always check the latest deals at the counter.)

A few tips:

• Passport mandatory. You strictly need your physical passport for the mandatory ID registration.
• Go to official stores. If you'd rather not use Lyca Mobile, I recommend visiting a dedicated Telenor or Telia store in the city. Avoid convenience stores (like Narvesen or 7-Eleven) for buying SIMs, as staff often can't help with the registration process.
• Top-up challenge. Make sure you buy enough credit upfront. Online top-ups for Norwegian carriers often require a Norwegian bank card, making it difficult for tourists to add data later, although vouchers are available at convenience stores.