In short: Installing an eSIM for over 60s is as simple as scanning a QR code from home: you buy the plan online, install it with Wi-Fi before you leave, and activate it when you land. In a few minutes, you'll have internet at your destination, without roaming and without bill surprises.
If you're over 60 and worried about getting tangled up with technology before a trip, this guide is written specifically with you in mind. You don't need to be a mobile expert or have a grandchild by your side to install an eSIM: it's five steps, done from the comfort of your couch, and once you follow them the first time, subsequent trips will take just two minutes. Let's take it slow, without skipping anything.
What is an eSIM and why is it convenient for those over 60?
An eSIM is, in essence, a SIM card that is already integrated into your phone: there's no need to take out a tray or handle any tiny pieces with a fingernail. It's "installed" using a QR code that arrives via email, just like an airline ticket. If you want to understand the technology in more detail before taking the plunge, you can first read what a virtual eSIM is and how it differs from a traditional physical SIM.
For a traveler over 60, the eSIM solves precisely the problems that cause the most headaches on a trip:
- No need to search for a phone booth or mobile store at the destination airport, with flight fatigue weighing you down.
- No small parts to lose or a physical SIM that could fall out and disappear into your luggage.
- You keep your Spanish number active so family can still call you through the usual channel.
- The entire process is done at home, calmly, before packing.
And most importantly: it avoids your Spanish operator's roaming charges, which in many destinations outside the European Union can skyrocket without warning. If you've never been clear about what data roaming is exactly and why those bills for several hundred euros arrive, we explain it in detail in what data roaming is.
Step 1: Check if your phone has an eSIM
Before buying anything, you need to confirm that your phone supports eSIM. The check is quick and doesn't require installing anything:
- Go to your phone's Settings.
- Search for the words "Mobile," "Mobile Data," or "SIM" (depending on the model, it appears under one name or another).
- If you see an option that says "Add eSIM" or "Add Data Plan," your phone is compatible.
Specifically on iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Add Data Plan. If you see the option to scan a QR code, you have an eSIM. Here's a quick reference for the most common models among our readers over 60:
| Phone Model | Has eSIM? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS, XR (2018) onwards | Yes | Includes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 onwards | Yes | Also most recent A series (A54, A55...) |
| Google Pixel 3 onwards | Yes | Very reliable with eSIM, little configuration needed |
| Huawei with HarmonyOS (without Google services) | No | Models after 2019 usually lack eSIM |
| Phones pre-2018-2019 | Probably not | Always check in Settings just in case |
If your phone doesn't have an eSIM, it's okay: you can always resort to a physical international chip as an alternative, although you'll lose the convenience of installing it from home.
Step 2: Choose and buy the right plan
This is where most doubts usually arise: how many GB do I really need? The answer depends on how you use your phone while traveling, but as a general guideline:
- If you only use WhatsApp, maps, and occasional lookups: a small plan with a few GB is usually enough for a week.
- If you also watch videos, make video calls with family, or use constant GPS navigation: a larger plan is advisable.
- If you're going to be away for more than two weeks, a larger data plan is almost always more cost-effective than buying several small ones.
The purchase process, step by step:
- Go to purasim.com from your mobile browser or computer (whichever is more convenient).
- Choose your destination country or region. For example, if you travel to a country in the European Union, you can use a single eSIM for Europe plan valid in several countries without buying one for each; if the destination is the United States, there is a specific eSIM for the United States plan.
- Select the number of days you'll be away and the plan size.
- Pay by card or PayPal, as with any regular online purchase.
- You will receive an email with the QR code and instructions. Save that email, you'll need it in the next step.
An important tip: buy the plan a few days before your trip, never at the last minute. This gives you plenty of time to install it calmly and resolve any questions with support if necessary, without the last-minute rush at the airport.
Step 3: Install the eSIM (calmly, from home)
This is the part that usually causes the most apprehension, but it's simpler than it seems. Always do it at home, connected to Wi-Fi, without rushing.
On iPhone
- Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add Data Plan.
- Choose "Use QR Code."
- Point your phone camera at the screen where you have the email with the QR code open (it can be on your computer, a tablet, or printed; you don't need to print it).
- Confirm and wait a few seconds for the system to install the plan.
On Android (Samsung and most brands)
- Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager.
- Tap "Add Mobile Data Plan" or "Add eSIM."
- Scan the QR code from the email.
- Confirm the installation.
If you have specific questions about this step, there is a general guide with more detailed screenshots on how to install an eSIM that complements this explanation with images of each screen.
A trick that saves a lot of confusion: give the new line a recognizable name, something like "eSIM Italy trip" instead of leaving the default name. That way, when you arrive at your destination, you'll know exactly which one to activate without having to guess among several lines.
Step 4: Activate the eSIM upon arrival at your destination
This is where many people get lost, and it's the most important step of all: installing the eSIM is not the same as activating it. Upon arrival at the destination airport (or immediately after landing, with airplane mode still on):
- Go to Settings → Mobile Data and select the eSIM you just installed as your data line.
- Activate the "Data Roaming" option within that specific eSIM. Without this step, even if the eSIM is installed, you won't have a connection.
- Deactivate airplane mode if you had it on.
- Wait one or two minutes: you should see the name of the local operator appear at the top of the screen.
And that's it. From here, you have internet just like at home, without having to search for hotel Wi-Fi or worry about roaming charges from your Spanish operator.
How much you can save compared to traditional roaming
We won't give you an exact figure because each operator and country is different, and rates change. What we can tell you for sure is that roaming outside the European Union can cost several euros per megabyte with some operators, and that expense quickly adds up with maps, photos, and video calls. Always check the current price with your operator before traveling.
The eSIM, on the other hand, works with a fixed price that you know in advance from the moment of purchase: you know exactly what you will pay before leaving home, with no surprises on next month's bill.
| Aspect | Operator Roaming | Travel eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Variable, can skyrocket without warning | Fixed and known before traveling |
| Installation | No installation required, already active | Installed once, at home, with QR |
| Spanish number | Maintained | Also maintained (dual line) |
| Risk of surprise bill | High outside the EU | Virtually zero, fixed price |
| Available before leaving | Yes, no prior management | Yes, purchased and installed in advance |
Common mistakes and what almost no one tells you
There are patterns that repeat over and over again with a traveler's first eSIM. Here are the ones that save the most headaches if you know them beforehand:
- Installing the eSIM but not activating roaming for that line. This is a very common mistake. Installation and activation are two distinct steps, and many people end up without data at their destination simply because they forgot to check "Data Roaming" within the new eSIM.
- Scanning the QR code twice. Each QR code can only be used once. If you accidentally scan it, delete it, and try again, it may no longer work. If this happens, don't keep trying: contact support to generate a new one instead of wasting time trying again and again.
- Leaving the installation until the last minute. Installing the eSIM at the boarding gate, feeling nervous and without stable Wi-Fi, is the perfect recipe for complicating things. Always do it at home, with several days to spare.
- Not noting which is the primary line for calls. With two active lines (your Spanish SIM and the eSIM), it's a good idea to check in Settings which one each function uses: calls via the Spanish SIM, data via the eSIM. This prevents your Spanish operator from charging for unexpected calls or SMS.
- Thinking you need a "latest generation" phone. This is not the case. eSIM has been available since 2018-2019 on many mid-range models, not just the latest high-end ones.
- Forgetting to buy additional data if the trip is extended. If you stay longer than planned, you can extend the plan from the website without having to install anything new, as long as you are still within the same active plan.
Security tips for a more peaceful trip
One aspect almost never explained in eSIM guides is connection security, which is relevant if you plan to do banking or shopping on your phone away from home. Public Wi-Fi networks in hotels or airports are convenient, but not always secure: anyone on the same network could try to intercept your traffic.
By using your eSIM data instead of public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, you already reduce this risk. And if you want an extra level of peace of mind for online banking or shopping, we explain how to combine eSIM and privacy protection in eSIM and VPN: travel privacy. It's not essential, but it's an extra layer that many travelers over 60 appreciate when checking their bank balance from the hotel.
Another practical tip: save a screenshot of the QR code and confirmation email in a separate folder, or send it to a trusted family member. This way, you'll have it handy if you need to review it during your trip.
Where are you going? Some travel ideas where eSIM makes a difference
eSIM is useful in any destination, but it's more noticeable the further you go and the less you know the area. Cultural routes through South America, cruises or organized trips through Asia, long routes through Oceania where distances are enormous, or simple seasonal getaways with airports more saturated than usual: in all these cases, having maps, translation, and calls sorted out before leaving makes a difference.
The principle is always the same: the less you have to improvise at your destination, the more calmly you enjoy your trip. And if you also want to stretch the data you purchased without running out halfway through your trip, here are some tricks to save data with your eSIM that work very well in combination with this guide.
eSIM vs. roaming: which to choose for over 60s?
This is a question we receive often: if roaming already "just works" without installing anything, why bother with an eSIM? The short answer is that roaming is convenient, but it can be expensive and doesn't warn you until the bill arrives. If you want to delve into the full comparison, with the advantages and disadvantages of each option, we have a dedicated analysis in eSIM vs. roaming that specifically addresses this question.
In summary, for a traveler over 60 who values peace of mind and wants to know in advance how much they will spend, eSIM is usually the option that causes fewer scares: a fixed price, without depending on the fine print of your Spanish operator's contract.
Frequently asked questions
Is it difficult to install an eSIM if I've never done it before?
No, although the first time it takes a few more minutes because everything is new. Follow the steps in this guide from home, with Wi-Fi and without rushing, and you'll see that it's quite similar to scanning a QR code from a poster or a restaurant menu: you point the camera and confirm.
Do I need Wi-Fi to install the eSIM?
Yes, it is highly recommended to install it with Wi-Fi, either at home or anywhere else with a stable connection. The activation at your destination (the "Data Roaming" step) is done with the local operator's signal, without needing Wi-Fi at that moment.
Can I still receive calls from my family on my Spanish number?
Yes. The eSIM adds a second data line, but your Spanish SIM continues to function normally for calls and SMS, as long as your phone supports both lines active simultaneously (the vast majority of eSIM-compatible models allow this).
What happens if I make a mistake during installation?
Nothing serious happens. You can cancel and try again as long as the QR code has not been successfully used. If it was scanned and something went wrong, contact PuraSIM support to generate a new code instead of forcing the same one.
Can I uninstall the eSIM when the trip ends?
Yes. Go to Settings → Mobile Data, select the eSIM and choose "Delete Data Plan". Your Spanish SIM is not affected at any time by this step.
What if I change phones before the next trip?
The eSIM is linked to the device on which it was installed; it is not simply transferable to another phone. For your next trip, you simply purchase a new plan and receive a new QR code to install it on the phone you are using at that time.
Is there someone who can help me by phone if I get stuck?
Yes. PuraSIM support is available in Spanish and can guide you step-by-step via chat, without you needing to master technical terms or solve anything on your own if you prefer to be accompanied through the process.
