Pay once and you're done
No surprise bills when you get back. Pick your GB and days, pay a fixed price and browse worry-free. If you don't use it, we refund you.
instant
eSIM South Africa
Instant delivery in 1 minute
Save up to 90% on roaming
High-speed 4G/5G connection5G
Keep your WhatsApp and number
Choose your plan
100% secure payment
Guaranteed refund
Instant delivery
Unlimited data with a fair-use policy (FUP): full speed up to a daily allowance, then the pace slows for the rest of the day. No cut-offs, no extra charges.
Coverage in South Africa- Works on your phone (500+ compatible models)
- Real 4G/5G coverage and speed in South Africa
- Activates on arrival, not when you buy
- Keep your number, WhatsApp and iMessage
- Guaranteed refund if it does not work
NetworkTop local carrier
Speed4G / 5G
HotspotYes
ServiceData only
ActivationOn first data use
CompatibilityiPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+ (500+ models)
InstallationQR code by email
FormatDigital eSIM (no physical SIM)
EIDDial *#06# to check it
UsageData only (your number still works for calls)
eSIM South Africa to travel with internet in South Africa without roaming from the moment you land. The QR arrives in your email and activates in a minute, without swapping your physical SIM and with no airport queues. Ideal for getting around Cape Town or Johannesburg with Maps, WhatsApp and translation within reach.
You browse on Vodacom's local network with 4G/5G coverage across the country's main cities and routes, from Table Mountain to the safari areas. Choose the GB and days you need, keep your number for WhatsApp and calls, and share data by hotspot with whoever travels with you.
What's included
- 4G/LTE data in South Africa as soon as you activate
- Hotspot included to share internet with those travelling with you
- Your usual number stays active: WhatsApp, incoming calls and iMessage without interruptions
- Activation QR in your email in under 1 minute
- Top up data without buying another eSIM
- Money-back guarantee if the eSIM doesn't work
Before you buy
- Data only: no traditional calls or SMS (VoIP apps work)
- Your phone must be eSIM compatible and carrier-unlocked. Check your device here
- Install the profile before you leave: you have 180 days from purchase to do so
Specifications
- Speed: 4G/5G depending on local coverage
- Networks: ZA - Vodacom 5G
- Top-up: Yes
- Hotspot: Yes
- Calls / SMS: Not included (VoIP apps only)
- Pre-activation window: 180 days from purchase
Risk-free purchase
Did you change your plans? We've got you covered
If you don't end up traveling, you have a money-back guarantee. And if something doesn't work at your destination, our human support helps you 24/7 until you're connected. No fine print, no complications.
Your next destination
South Africa
Land with the Internet already on. Share every moment of South Africa without hunting for WiFi or overpaying.
The PuraSim difference
Travel connected, without the hassle
Connected or we help you
Coverage in 218 destinations on top-tier local networks, even outside big cities. And if something fails, human support 24/7 until you're online.
If you can take a photo, you can activate it
No paperwork or SIM cards. You get a QR, scan it and the eSIM installs itself. Your number and WhatsApp stay exactly the same.
Choose your plan
eSIM plans for South Africa
Pick your data and days. Fixed price, no surprises, across South Africa.
| Data | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa · 100 MB | 7 days | €0,51 |
| South Africa · 500 MB | 7 days | €1,28 |
| South Africa · 1 GB | 7 days | €3,84 |
| South Africa · 3 GB | 30 days | €10,69 |
| South Africa · 3 GB | 15 days | €11,12 |
| South Africa · 5 GB | 30 days | €15,83 |
| South Africa · 10 GB | 30 days | €29,10 |
| South Africa · 20 GB | 30 days | €47,94 |
Before you buy
Is your phone compatible?
Almost every phone since 2018 supports eSIM. Check it in 10 seconds — we show you step by step. Swipe →
Dial *#06#
Open the phone dialer and enter *#06#, just like a call. No need to press call.
Look for the EID
If a 32-digit EID code appears, your phone supports eSIM. Good news!
Ready to travel!
Just add your South Africa plan. Activate it with a QR and land with internet.
Prefer to check by brand and model? Pick it here:
Installation
Activate your eSIM in minutes
1Connect to WiFi
Install it before you travel. It uses no plan data.
2Settings → Cellular
Tap "Add eSIM" → "Use QR Code".
3Scan the QR
The one in your email. The eSIM installs itself.
4Activate on arrival
At your destination, turn on "Data Roaming" for PuraSim.
1Connect to WiFi
Install it before you travel.
2Settings → Connections → SIM
Tap "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan".
3Scan the QR
Confirm the profile download.
4Turn on data
Select PuraSim and enable roaming.
The difference
vs. the old way
Compared to roaming, an airport local SIM or hotel WiFi, the PuraSim eSIM for South Africa is the simplest and cheapest way to get internet abroad.
Roaming
Unlimited daily data
No surprise bills
Online the moment you land
Data coverage across the country
Keep your number and WhatsApp
Human support on WhatsApp
4G/5G speed, no throttling
Daily plans: full-speed data up to the daily cap; after that, reduced speed (fair use).
With PuraSim
Everything that You don't lose
✕ Roaming in South Africa: your carrier charges you every day
✓ Your eSIM: data for your whole trip from €0,51
Don't lose moneyFixed price before you leave, no surprises on your bill when you return.
Don't lose connectionHigh-speed internet as soon as you land, no need to search for WiFi.
Don't lose your numberYour SIM stays in: WhatsApp and your usual calls, active.
Don't lose timeNo queues or paperwork to buy a SIM at the airport.
Don't lose coverageConnect to top-tier local networks, not second-rate signals.
Don't lose your coolNo commitment, no small print, and a money-back guarantee.
Your next destination
Connect in 218 destinations
One store for all your trips. Pick your country and leave the plane already connected.
Performance
Works with all your apps
Fast, stable connection on top-tier local networks. Peak performance in the apps you use every day.
Real connection speed5G
WhatsApp
Instagram
TikTok
Maps
YouTube
Spotify
Netflix
GmailBooking
Uber
Airbnb
Book, get around and browse at your destination with data from minute one — no hotel wifi or local SIMs needed.
- Stream Netflix & YouTube with no buffering
- Post stories and video-call instantly
- Google Maps always ready so you never get lost
FAQ
Everything clear about your eSIM
To travel to South Africa, the best eSIM gives you full-speed data on the best local networks, with no roaming and real support. The PuraSim eSIM activates with a QR in 1 minute, keeps your number and WhatsApp and covers all of South Africa from the moment you land, with great value and no lock-in.
PuraSim eSIMs for South Africa have plans by data and by days, so you only pay for what you need. No contracts, no lock-in: pick your plan, pay once and get data across South Africa. See the available plans above. It is much cheaper than your carrier roaming.
Yes, by a lot. Traditional roaming can add €50-60 to your bill on a single trip in Europe. With a PuraSim eSIM you pay a fixed price for your South Africa data, with no surprises or hidden charges, and you know exactly what you will spend before leaving home.
Yes, if your phone supports eSIM (almost all since 2018: iPhone XR/XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+ and many more). Dial *#06# on the dialer: if an EID code appears, your phone supports eSIM and you can use PuraSim in South Africa without changing phone or number.
Yes. Your eSIM connects to the best local networks in South Africa with 4G/5G coverage in major cities and most tourist areas. You get full-speed internet for maps, social media, videos and video calls throughout the trip, from landing until you return home.
Connect to WiFi, open Settings, then Cellular, Add eSIM and scan the QR you receive by email. It takes under a minute and you can set it up before leaving home. In South Africa you just turn on the eSIM data roaming and you are connected instantly.
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone, with no physical card. You buy your data plan for South Africa, get a QR by email and, when you scan it, your phone connects to the best local networks in South Africa as soon as you land. All digital, no waits or paperwork.
The days start counting from your first data use in South Africa, not from purchase. So you can install the eSIM calmly before travelling and it only activates when you arrive and connect.
Yes. Your usual SIM or eSIM stays active for your calls, SMS and your regular WhatsApp. The PuraSim eSIM is added separately for data only, so you do not lose your number or your chats.
Yes, all our South Africa plans include hotspot to share internet. You can connect your laptop, tablet or a travel companion phone to your hotspot at no extra cost.
You can buy another South Africa plan from the site in seconds, with no eSIM change or waiting. We also alert you when you are low on data so you never lose connection mid-trip.
The plan is data only, designed to give you internet in South Africa. You can still call and message at no extra cost via WhatsApp, FaceTime or Telegram using your eSIM data.
You have a money-back guarantee and 24/7 support. If something fails, our team helps until you are connected or refunds you. Write to us and we solve it right away.
Keep exploring
More eSIMs for your trip
More about the South Africa eSIM
eSIM for South Africa: Internet without roaming
With our eSIM for South Africa, you arrive at Cape Town or Johannesburg airport with mobile data working from the very first minute, without looking for a shop or changing your physical SIM card. The eSIM connects to the country's real networks, Vodacom and MTN, which have the best 4G and 5G coverage, so you can use Google Maps, WhatsApp, Uber, and Booking just like at home. You can see all available plans in all destinations.
Roaming in South Africa: why an eSIM is convenient for you
South Africa is not part of the European Union, so your home plan does not include free roaming here. Operators usually charge between €10 and €15 per day, or very high prices for every megabyte outside your allowance. On a two-week trip, that's more than €150 just for data. With an eSIM, you pay a fixed price once and avoid bill shock when you return.
How much does an eSIM for South Africa cost?
Plans start from €3.95, and you choose based on the number of days and usage. For a short city trip, 1 GB for 3-4 days is usually enough for maps and messaging. If you're going to be moving between parks and cities for one or two weeks, 5 GB is the most balanced option, and for remote work or a lot of video, 10 GB or more is advisable. Calculate around 1 GB for every 3 days of normal use and add a margin if you share your connection with a laptop.
eSIM or SIM card in South Africa
A local SIM card in South Africa requires RICA registration with a passport and proof of accommodation, a process that costs time as soon as you land. The eSIM is entirely digital: you buy it before you leave, it arrives by email, and it activates without queues or paperwork. Plus, you keep your usual number active to receive bank SMS messages while using the eSIM's data.
Does the eSIM work in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban?
Yes. Coverage is solid in major cities and tourist areas: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and the Stellenbosch wine region. By relying on Vodacom and MTN (above Cell C and Telkom in reach), you'll have good signal on Table Mountain, the Garden Route, and the approaches to Kruger. In very remote areas or inside the parks, the signal may drop, which is normal with any operator.
How do I activate the South Africa eSIM?
After purchase, you receive a QR code by email. Scan it from your phone settings, follow two steps, and the eSIM is installed; you can do this from home with Wi-Fi and leave it ready to activate upon arrival. It is compatible with recent iPhone and Android devices. If it's your first time, follow our step-by-step eSIM guide and you'll be connected in South Africa in less than five minutes.
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