Buying a SIM card at Brussels Airport (Brussels) 2024: Travelers Guide

Many travelers often worry about the internet and how to communicate. To best prepare your trip, we provide you with a SIM card at Brussels airport in the article below. It will help you know how to buy SIM cards, network operators in Belgium, what to prepare and where to buy SIM cards. In addition, we also suggest other ways to use the internet for you.

SIM card at Brussels airport

I. How to Get a SIM Card at Brussels Brussels Airport (BRU)?

Buy a SIM card at the airport if you need internet access immediately upon arrival
Buy a SIM card at the airport if you need internet access immediately upon arrival

There are some ways to buy a SIM card when traveling in Brussels:

How to buyProsCons
At airportDon’t waste time searchingThe cost is quite high
Mobile storeMany choicesDifficult to find address
Buy onlinePopular and convenientNot safe
Hotel reception deskEasy to buyCost is more expensive

There are many ways to buy a SIM card when traveling, you can consider buying at the airport when:

  • Internet access is required as soon as you arrive at the airport
  • Avoid difficulties when searching to buy a sim card at your destination
  • Want to receive support for currency exchange and car rental when buying a SIM card.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Brussels Airport?

Buy SIM card at Brussels airport
Visitors can order in advance or buy directly at the airport

There are many places to buy SIM cards at Brussels airport. Tourists can order online on the website before arriving and receive them when they get off the plane. To be more certain, you can contact airport staff directly to buy a SIM card at the airport.

1. Buy online before departure and pick up at the airport 

In Belgium, there are many SIM card providers, but only a few carriers sell SIM cards at Brussels airport. Before arriving in Belgium, buyers can visit the websites of some network providers at the airport such as Orange, Proximus, Base to pre-order. 

Upon arrival, you just need to go to the sim card counter to receive it. To buy a sim card, you need to prepare identification, compatible phone devices and some suppliers may need an address. This way helps tourists connect to the internet as soon as they arrive in Belgium and saves you time. However, the cost may be higher than other methods. 

2. Buy at the airport upon arrival

When you get off the plane and go through customs, you will see kiosks of carriers. You just need to choose to buy a SIM card according to your needs and proceed to pay. Tourists need to prepare identification documents and payment cards to buy a SIM card. This way you can avoid the risk of being scammed, but maybe when you land in the middle of the night and the kiosks are not open 24/7.

Buy SIM card at Brussels airport
Buy SIM card at Brussels airport

If you go with a tour group, the tour guide will guide you to the SIM card counter or they will receive it directly for you. If you travel independently, you can follow the instructions of the map or staff at the airport.

Opening hours: 07:00 – 20:00

Location: Arrival hall

III. Do SIM card shops at BRU airport open after midnight?

No, SIM card shops at Brussels Airport (BRU) are not open after midnight. The shops operate from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This means if your flight arrives later than 8:00 PM, you won’t be able to purchase a SIM card at the airport until the next morning.

IV. Best Tourist Brussels Airport SIM Cards Options and Price

Each carrier will have SIM card packages with different prices. Tourists can easily choose the package that suits their needs: 

CharacteristicProximusOrangeBase
Price€10 EUR€15 EUR€10 EUR€15 EUR€25 EUR
Data traffic€10 EURO credit for calling/texting + 3 GB data + 500 sms + 10 minutes5GB data + 4,000 sms + 50 minutes1 GB data + 40 minutes + 250 sms4 GB data + 60 minutes + 1000 sms8 GB data + 100 minutes + 5000 sms

Note: Prices and data plan features may change over time. Travelers need to visit the provider's website for reference before choosing to buy a SIM card at Brussels airport.

Orange is a popular network provider in Belgium
Orange is a popular network provider in Belgium

V. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Brussels Brussels Airport – Registration Process

To receive a SIM card at the airport, tourists need to note the following preparations and procedures:

  • Identification: Bring your passport or other identification when receiving your SIM card.
  • Unlocked phone: The phone adapts to the SIM card
  • Choose your payment method: Make sure your payment method is accepted by the supplier

Normally, the counter staff will assist in installing the SIM, so tourists do not need to prepare SIM removal tools. By preparing the above, travelers can easily activate their SIM card at Brussels airport and use it during their stay in Belgium.

Prepare your identification documents or passport to buy a SIM card
Prepare your identification documents or passport to buy a SIM card

VI. Belgium eSIM for Brussels – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Brussels Brussels Airport

If you have a compatible device, travelers can use eSIM. Because it has flexibility and convenience. Gigago will help you easily choose to buy eSIM with many different data packages from 1GB to 50GB with duration from 3 days to 30 days. GIGAGO is a PRESTIGIOUS and LEADING provider of international travel eSIM and IoT connection solutions for more than 100 countries and territories. 

Buy eSIM at Gigago
Buy eSIM at Gigago

VII. FAQs

If this is your first time coming to Belgium, some information below from other people’s questions will be helpful:

Which places sell SIM cards for tourists when coming to Brussels, Belgium?

Travelers can buy SIM cards at the airport, convenience stores, the provider’s official store or at the train station (if available).

Which major operators in Belgium offer SIM cards?

The major carriers that are easy to buy are Orange, Base and Proximus.

What types of SIM card recharge are there?

Tourists can choose between prepaid or postpaid SIM cards. However, tourists should buy prepaid SIM cards based on usage needs to easily control data.

What documents do I need to prepare to buy a SIM card?

To buy a SIM card, visitors need to prepare their passport, identification documents, payment card and be able to provide an address. 

Is the network speed in Brussels strong?

Overall, internet speeds in Brussels are relatively stable. However, you need to check whether the SIM card’s carrier coverage area is popular in the area you are visiting or not

What does a data package usually include?

Normally, data packages include data capacity, calling minutes, and number of messages.

VIII. Conclusion

Above are some shares about buying a SIM card at Brussels airport. You can buy a SIM card at Brussels airport if you need internet access as soon as you arrive in Belgium. However, the cost to buy a SIM card at the airport is quite expensive and there is not a variety of data packages. For you to feel secure using high-quality Internet at low cost when traveling to Belgium, you can choose eSIM – an outstanding product from Gigago. Hope this helps you know more information before your trip.