The Netherlands is a traveler's dream: bicycles on every corner, even better coffee, and Wi-Fi almost everywhere. But if you're relying on your unmanaged home network, your trip can quickly turn upside down. While connectivity in the Netherlands is generally good, SIM mistakes can be expensive and frustrating. Here are the five most common mistakes Israeli tourists make — and how to avoid them.
1. Relying on roaming without checking the price
This is the royal mistake. Many tourists assume their Israeli carrier's international roaming will work smoothly in the Netherlands — well, it will work, but at a staggering cost. Roaming packages can be particularly pricey for data, and you can easily spend tens of shekels just checking messages and photos on your carrier's network.
How to avoid it: Check with your carrier what the actual cost is, or switch to a cheaper alternative. An eSIM from nRed, for example, lets you install a data package specific to the Netherlands at a much lower cost — just scan a QR code, and you're connected.
2. Using up all your data before you even reach the city
You're on the flight and someone sends you a video on WhatsApp, or you checked the map at the airport. Data's gone. It doesn't seem like much, but when you have a small package, it's game over quickly.
How to avoid it: Set your Israeli SIM to turn off data roaming before you leave home. That way, it won't automatically connect abroad. When you arrive in the Netherlands, you switch to your local eSIM, and your data is protected.
3. Forgetting to activate your eSIM before traveling
You bought an eSIM, scanned the QR code... but forgot to activate it as an initial step. You arrive in Amsterdam, you switch out your Israeli SIM, and you discover the eSIM isn't active. Panic.
How to avoid it: Install your eSIM at home, while you're still in Israel. Scan, activate, and check that it's connected. When you arrive at your destination, you simply switch it to the active profile, and you're connected immediately.
4. Not checking network coverage in certain neighborhoods
All of the Netherlands is covered, right? Not exactly. While Rotterdam and Amsterdam are excellent, more outlying neighborhoods or rural areas can have weak coverage. You might be in the city, but if you choose an eSIM from a company without good coverage in the Netherlands, you could find yourself without a connection just when you need it.
How to avoid it: Choose a provider with wide coverage in the Netherlands. Local carriers usually cover better than small MVNOs. nRed works with operators with excellent coverage across all major cities and regions.
5. Not turning off data roaming on your Israeli SIM
This is related to mistake #2, but it's common enough to mention again. Your Israeli SIM is still in your device. If you haven't turned off roaming, it can connect to a network in the Netherlands on its own — not just for data, but also for calls and SMS. This can be very expensive.
How to avoid it: Before traveling, turn off data roaming, calls, and SMS on your Israeli SIM. You can leave it in your device, but it won't connect abroad. When you return to Israel, you can turn it back on.
Summary
The Netherlands is amazing, and connectivity doesn't have to be a problem. With a little planning ahead — installing your eSIM at home, turning off roaming on your Israeli SIM, and choosing a provider with good coverage — you can enjoy your trip without being tethered to phone troubles. Let's focus on the bicycles and canals, not SIM headaches.
