SIM cards for Europe

[raydeon]

I have an unlocked GSM dual band (900/1800 Mhz) phone which I plan to use in my next trip to Europe.

I will be in France and Germany.
Do I need a SIM card for each country, or can I get one that will work in more than one country.
What is the most efficient way to get one: order one from mail order companies here or in the states prior to leaving, or:
Buy one when arriving in Europe?

I heard that it is difficult for a non European to buy a SIM card because of terrorism threats (something like certified copy of passport. 3 passport photos....+?

When looking On Line to buy one here, there are so many options that is gets very confusing (initial cost, cost per outgoing calls, incoming calls....)
Can anyone who has had any recent experience advise me?

 

[Anynym]

Is your goal just to be able to use your phone in each country (international roaming)? Or is it to save on roaming charges by getting a "local" phone number in each country while you're there (and only pay for long distance charges for the calls you make)?

 

[CapitalGuy]

I would avoid buying an international SIM card in Canada or online. I used one for a trip to France/Belgium last year and it wound up costing me $250 for a 2-week trip. I think the outfit was Roamsimple. Their setup seemed good and I'm sure they are a reputable company, I just found the bottom line to be too high. Of course this is just my personal experience - it might just be that I bought the wrong plan ( I had data enabled, too, for the Canadian unlocked GSM Blackberry that I used. That likely drove up my costs, details are fuzzy two years later, but voice-only is surely cheaper).

I don't know what this terrorist thing you are talking of, is all about. Sounds ridiculous though - never heard of it. You can buy European phones, complete phones, with a European number and xxx minutes built-in, from vending machines all over the place. Seriously. There is most likely a vending machine in your point-of-entry airport which will sell you a phone with a local#. Use it and toss it when your trip is over. My next trip I will simply by an Orange phone and a local # once I land.

If you insist on using your unlocked GSM phone, then you can get SIM cards here in Canada on a variety of plans. Those independent cell phone stores will sell them or you can buy online and get the cards mailed to you at home. The Roamsimple card I had was a UK phone number but I could buy a UK only plan, a 5-country plan, a 20-country plan or a global plan. There were many other options (China, India, etc). I think I bought the 5-country plan, can't recall. Anyhow, the various websites should lay out the rates for you. One SIM card with one phone number will work in both Germany and France, the only difference will be whether you buy a dual-country rate plan or a plan that is cheap in Germany but costs roaming charges when you are in France (or vice versa). I agree there are too many options to weed through!!! Bonne chance.