November 4, 2026, 2:58 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Book an eSIM for abroad directly in the banking app: ING wants to offer its customers not only payment services but also mobile internet while traveling. After launching in the Netherlands, the service is set to expand to Germany. TECHBOOK explains how the travel eSIM works, what it is expected to cost, and whether traditional eSIM providers are cheaper.
Outside the EU, mobile internet can quickly lead to high roaming costs. A travel eSIM that operates on local networks can prevent this. Instead of buying a SIM card at the vacation spot, a data package can be digitally installed on the smartphone. Providers such as Airalo, Saily, or Holafly specialize in such plans.
Now ING is entering the business. Together with mobile specialist Gigs, the bank integrates travel data directly into its banking app. The service initially launched in the Netherlands. Germany, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Spain, and other countries are to follow. Although there is no specific launch date or prices for Germany yet, the prices in the Netherlands provide an initial indication. There, ING charges 14.99 euros for a globally usable data package with 1 GB. This price shows that a comparison is worthwhile for travelers.
How the ING Travel eSIM Works
ING will not become a mobile network operator itself. The technology is provided by partner Gigs, whose platform integrates mobile offers directly into other companies’ apps. From the customer’s perspective, the main advantage is convenience. The data package can be booked directly within the ING app. An additional travel eSIM app and another customer account are not necessary.
In the Netherlands, the eSIM is available for more than 140 countries and is linked to the new ING account packages. Depending on the package, customers already receive a certain data volume:
- ING Go: Data can be added
- ING More / Student: 1 GB per year
- ING Extra: 3 GB per month
- ING Max: 5 GB per month
- Additional world package: 1 GB for 14.99 euros
It’s important to note: These are the Dutch conditions. What data volumes and prices ING will offer in Germany is not yet determined.
Also interesting: Cost trap alert! What to consider when using your phone on vacation
Price Comparison with Other Travel eSIMs
The tariffs offered by ING and Gigs provide globally usable data volume and are therefore generally more expensive than offers specifically tailored to the travel country. Gigs mentions coverage in more than 140 countries. If you’re traveling to a specific country, you should also check with other providers.
Some examples:
ING charges 14.99 euros for a globally usable gigabyte in the Netherlands. At the provider Airalo, you can get one for prices starting at 8 euros with a validity of 7 days. If you look at tariffs specifically tailored to the travel country, you can often save a lot. For the USA, Turkey, or various destinations in South America, Airalo offers tariffs starting at 4 euros, and tariffs for Egypt are available from 5.50 euros.
Competitor Saily charges for a gigabyte usable in the USA or Turkey, depending on the duration of use, starting at 3.49 euros. A globally usable data package costs from 7.99 euros, with coverage in 121 countries, which is less than the 168 countries and regions at Airalo or the more than 140 countries at ING.
However, the examples show: In terms of pure data volume, ING is not the cheapest option. For example, if you’re vacationing exclusively in Turkey, Saily offers 5 GB for 9.99 dollars. That’s more data volume for less money than the additional 1-GB package from Dutch ING.
Those Who Need a Lot of Data Should Compare Even More
Comparing becomes even more important for travelers who need a lot of data on the go. Those who stream videos, upload pictures to the cloud, make video calls, or use their smartphone as a hotspot should check larger packages. Providers like Airalo, Saily, and Holafly sell extensive data packages and sometimes plans with unlimited data volume, depending on the travel destination.
In such usage scenarios, buying individual gigabytes can quickly become unattractive. Which provider is the cheapest, however, depends heavily on the travel destination and data needs.
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The Biggest Advantage of the ING eSIM is Convenience
Still, it would be too simplistic to judge the ING eSIM solely by the gigabyte price. Its key advantage lies elsewhere: convenience. ING customers don’t have to choose a separate eSIM provider, install another app, or create an additional customer account. They can organize the connection for abroad directly where they already manage their bank account.
The model becomes even more interesting when travel data is already included in the booked ING package. In the Netherlands, for example, ING Extra customers receive 3 GB and ING Max customers receive 5 GB per month.
Those who already use such a package have little reason to forgo the included travel data. Choosing a more expensive account package solely because of the eSIM seems less attractive. There are too many affordable alternatives from specialized providers for that.
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For EU Vacations, a Travel eSIM is Not Needed
For a typical vacation in Spain, Italy, or France, an additional travel eSIM is generally not needed. Within the EU and the European Economic Area, German mobile customers can generally continue to use their existing plan through regulated roaming. A travel eSIM becomes interesting mainly for destinations outside this area, such as the USA, Turkey, or Switzerland, although the latter is already included in the EU roaming packages of some providers.
Especially for these popular travel destinations, it is worth comparing prices and data volumes from different providers before departure.