Did you know you can get a Swiss SIM card without spending a single franc? Discover in this guide from internet-offer how to receive a free physical or virtual SIM card with an associated Swiss phone number.
When Is a Free Swiss SIM Card Worth It?
Let’s start with some context: a free prepaid SIM card is a great deal if you’re only visiting Switzerland temporarily and need a Swiss number to use your phone while in the country. However, it might be less advantageous for heavy mobile data usage. Free prepaid SIM cards allow internet access by deducting a few cents per KB from your balance, which could add up to over 15 CHF within a few days. In this case, we recommend purchasing a Swiss prepaid plan directly.
Another instance where a free SIM might be beneficial is if you want to test the mobile network services of a specific provider. A prepaid SIM comes with no activation fees and allows you to flexibly use the mobile network to evaluate the quality of calls and internet coverage at your location.
Now that we’ve clarified when ordering a free SIM card makes sense, let’s explore which providers you can turn to for a free SIM card.
Which Operators Offer a Free SIM in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, several operators offer a completely free SIM card with a Swiss number. These include yallo, Lebara, Lycamobile, Digital Republic, and Mucho Mobile.
Below is an overview of the features of the free SIM cards offered by these providers. Further down, we’ll delve into the purchase details and features of each free SIM.
PROVIDER | FREE PLAN | SIM TYPE |
Digital Republic | Free Trial | SIM/eSIM |
Lebara | Smart Watch | SIM |
Lycamobile | Lyca Free SIM | SIM |
Mucho Mobile | Mucho Prepaid | SIM |
Salt | PrePay | SIM |
yallo | yallo Prepaid | SIM |
Comparison of Free SIM Tariffs in Switzerland
Let’s look at the features of free SIM cards offered by the various Swiss mobile operators.
Digital Republic’s Free SIM or eSIM
We begin with Digital Republic, which offers a completely free 30-day trial of its service, delivering a physical SIM card or an eSIM via email with the following features:
Monthly Fee: Free for 30 days
Shipping Cost: Free for both eSIM and physical SIM
Commitments: None, you can cancel automatic renewal at any time
Internet Data: Unlimited in Switzerland, 5G at up to 50 Mbps
Roaming Data: 200 MB in Europe
Calls: Unlimited in Switzerland
SMS: Unlimited in Switzerland
In our opinion, this free SIM is the best for unlimited use with no additional costs for an entire month.
Proceed now to request your free SIM by selecting the type of SIM you prefer.
yallo’s Free SIM
The second free SIM we analyze is offered by yallo, the virtual operator owned by Sunrise. In this case, you can receive a prepaid SIM card at your address for free with the following features:
Monthly Fee: Free forever
Shipping Cost: Free
Commitments: None
Internet Data: 0.25 CHF per 10 MB, with a maximum speed of 100 Mbps
Roaming Data: From 2 CHF per MB
Calls: 0.25 CHF per minute to any network
SMS: 0.15 CHF per message
To order this SIM card, you need to provide a Swiss address for delivery (the address of your hotel works if you’re a tourist).
Lebara’s Free SIM
Another virtual operator managed directly by Sunrise that offers a free SIM card is Lebara. This free SIM provides unlimited daily rates:
Monthly Fee: Free forever
Shipping Cost: Free
Commitments: None
Internet Data: 1.50 CHF per day (only when mobile data is used) at a maximum speed of 100 Mbps for the first 60 MB, then speed is reduced to 256 Kbps
Roaming Data: From 2 CHF per MB
Calls: 1.50 CHF per day, activated upon the first outgoing call, allowing up to 30 minutes to any network
SMS: 0.15 CHF per message
As with yallo, a Swiss address is required for delivery (your hotel address works for tourists).
Salt PrePay: Salt Mobile’s Free SIM Card
Among major network operators, only Salt offers a free SIM card. The Salt PrePay free SIM card includes the following features:
Monthly Fee: Free forever
Shipping Cost: Free
Commitments: None
Internet Data: 1.99 CHF per day (only when mobile data is used) with a maximum speed of 150 Mbps
Roaming Data: Starting at 24.95 CHF for 1.5 GB usable over the next 365 days
Calls: 0.49 CHF per call to any network, with a maximum duration of 60 minutes
SMS: 0.12 CHF per message
Unlike the other SIM cards, here you can also order a device associated with this SIM directly during checkout on the operator’s website.
Want to know more about subscription plans with free SIM cards from Salt? Click the link below to see current offers.
Get Lycamobile’s Free SIM
The second-to-last operator offering a free Swiss SIM card is Lycamobile. This provider delivers a completely free 30-day trial of its service, with either a physical SIM card or an eSIM sent via email, featuring:
Monthly Fee: Free forever
Shipping Cost: Free
Commitments: None
Internet Data: 0.10 CHF per MB, with a maximum speed of 150 Mbps
Roaming Data: Available with various monthly options
Calls: Starting at 0.35 CHF per minute
SMS: 0.15 CHF per message
Request your free Lycamobile SIM card now and decide whether to pair it with a prepaid plan or use pay-as-you-go rates.
Mucho Mobile’s Free SIM on Swisscom’s Network
The last free Swiss SIM card we present is from Mucho. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a SIM on Swisscom’s network, offering the following features:
Monthly Fee: Free forever
Shipping Cost: Free
Commitments: None
Internet Data: Requires purchase of a monthly option
Roaming Data: Available with various monthly options
Calls: 0.29 CHF per minute to any network, only 0.15 CHF per minute to another Mucho number
SMS: 0.15 CHF per message
Order your free Mucho SIM now and enjoy calls on the Swisscom network.
How to Choose a Free SIM Card in Switzerland?
To choose a free SIM card in Switzerland, consider these three main factors:
How often you use your phone: Depending on the number of calls, SMS, and MB consumed, one option may be more suitable than another.
How long you need the free SIM: In some cases, the SIM is free for a limited period, so you’ll need to determine if it fits your needs.
Network coverage: Depending on the network used, you may experience different mobile coverage quality.
Compared Tariffs
In addition to free SIM cards, internet-offer allows you to compare various plans to save money in Switzerland. Use the following tools to discover the best current rates:
Have You Successfully Activated Your Free SIM?
Let us know in the comments!