Prepaid SIM Cards in Belgium Six Providers, Top-Up Bundles from €5
A prepaid SIM is the right pick for light callers or anyone who needs a second line : no contract, no fixed monthly fee — you pay only for what you use. Six providers operate prepaid in Belgium : Proximus Pay&Go, Orange Tempo, BASE, Mobile Vikings, Lycamobile and JIM Mobile. Identity registration has been mandatory at every purchase since 2017.
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The Six Prepaid Providers in Belgium
Prepaid SIMs aren\'t all the same. Below the six main providers with their positioning and strengths :
Own network, broadest retail footprint
Proximus Pay&Go
Proximus' prepaid line, running on its own 4G/5G network. Available in every Proximus shop and at retailers such as Carrefour, Delhaize and Press Shop. Top up via app, online or with a paper scratch card.
- Own network with widest coverage
- Available in every supermarket
- Simple top-up app
Own network, strong in retail
Orange Tempo
Orange's prepaid offer on its own 4G/5G network. Several top-up bundles — call-only, data-only, or mixed combo packs. Available in Orange Shops and partner retailers.
- Own network
- Data-only bundles available
- 5G on all packs
Telenet network, simple bundles
BASE Tempo
BASE's prepaid plan on the Telenet network. Attractive entry tariffs for light users. Available in BASE shops, Mediamarkt and Carrefour.
- Flanders-leaning network
- Simple bundle structure
- Good coverage in urban areas
Online-first, fair-use bundles
Mobile Vikings
Mobile Vikings offers prepaid plans with generous data bundles and transparent pricing. Sold mostly online rather than through retail. Solid pick for those who don't want a contract but still need plenty of data.
- Lots of data per euro
- VikingDeals for data sharing
- Online-first, easy top-up via app
International-calling specialist
Lycamobile
Built around international calling. Flat low rates to 70+ countries, included in prepaid bundles. Ideal for those who regularly call family outside the EU.
- Cheapest international rates
- 70+ countries in the bundle
- No contract, no setup fees
Youth-focused, prepaid-only
JIM Mobile
JIM Mobile is a prepaid-only MVNO on the Orange network aimed at young users. Simple bundle structure, strong marketing around gaming and streaming, physical retail in student cities.
- Designed for young users
- Orange network (5G included)
- No contract commitment
Not sure which prepaid SIM suits you?
Call a Belgian telecom adviser for free, independent advice — Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–6 p.m. No sales pressure.
How Top-Up Bundles Work
Buying a prepaid SIM once isn\'t enough — to keep it active you buy top-up bundles that add call minutes, SMS and/or data. Four typical bundle categories :
| Bundle type | For whom? | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Call bundle | Seniors, kids, secondary SIM | €5-15 |
| Data bundle | Tablets, mifi routers, data-only SIM | €10-25 |
| Combo bundle | Light users, backup SIM | €10-30 |
| International | Diaspora, regular international callers | €10-30 |
* Price ranges are indicative — actual tariffs and bundle contents differ per provider and change regularly. Check the provider\'s official page for current bundles.
When is a Prepaid SIM Cheaper Than a Subscription?
A prepaid SIM doesn\'t pay off for everyone. Six typical scenarios where it does make sense :
Backup SIM
A prepaid card in a spare phone or as a reserve in case your main SIM fails or is blocked. Buy once, top up once a year to keep the line active.
A child's first phone
Prepaid as a first mobile line for an under-12. A fixed monthly top-up (€5-10) keeps the budget predictable and avoids surprises.
Light users
For users who run their smartphone mostly on Wi-Fi and only make a handful of mobile calls per month. Pay-per-use is cheaper than a €10-15 subscription.
Short stays in Belgium
Expats, exchange students or tourists who only stay for a few weeks. No contract, no Belgian bank-account requirement.
A second business line
A second mobile number for customer contact that you don't want tied to your personal line. Prepaid avoids a second subscription.
International calls
A Lycamobile card specifically for those who regularly call family outside the EU. Often cheaper than an international add-on on a regular subscription.
When not : if you make more than ~50 minutes of calls per month or use more than 1-2 GB of data, you\'re usually cheaper off with a SIM-only subscription at an MVNO (Mobile Vikings, hey telecom, edpnet) from €10-15 / month. Before you commit, take a short look at your real usage — comparing a couple of bills can save hundreds of euros a year.
Not sure which prepaid SIM suits you?
Call a Belgian telecom adviser for free, independent advice — Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–6 p.m. No sales pressure.
Mandatory Registration Since 2017
Since June 2017 every prepaid SIM in Belgium must be registered to a named owner under the Belgian anti-terrorism legislation. A short practical guide :
What do you need?
- A valid Belgian ID card (eID), residence permit or passport
- Optionally : the PIN of your eID (for online registration via itsme or an eID card reader)
How does registration work?
- In the shop : show + scan your eID, instant activation
- Online : via app or website, using itsme or an eID reader (activation within 15 minutes)
Without registration the SIM is automatically deactivated after 15 days. A prepaid card then stays inactive until you complete registration ; unused credit may be lost after a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions about Prepaid SIMs
Yes — since June 2017, registration is legally required under the Belgian anti-terrorism legislation. When you buy a prepaid SIM you must show your ID card (eID), and your name, date of birth and national registry number are linked to the SIM number. Registration happens in the shop (Proximus, Orange, BASE, retailers) or online during activation. Without registration the SIM is automatically deactivated after 15 days.
Generally a prepaid SIM stays active as long as you top up at least once a year or use the line for paid communication. The exact period varies by provider, but most operate a 12-month rule. After that period of inactivity the credit is forfeited and the number is deactivated (and may be reissued). Set an annual reminder to keep your backup SIM active.
Yes — number portability works both ways. You can take your prepaid number to a subscription at another provider, or convert your subscription to prepaid at the same provider while keeping the number. The Easy Switch procedure runs automatically within 24-48 hours via your new provider.
At most providers : yes. Proximus Pay&Go, Orange Tempo, BASE Tempo and JIM Mobile offer 5G on their prepaid plans at no extra cost. Mobile Vikings and Lycamobile offer 5G on most plans — check at activation. Your smartphone must of course be 5G-capable (iPhone from 12, Samsung Galaxy from S20).
Unused credit stays available as long as the card is active. Call minutes and SMS from a specific bundle usually have a 30-day validity ; the bundle resets at the next top-up. Standalone Belgian credit (not tied to a bundle) is valid for 6-12 months.
All Belgian prepaid providers fall under the EU Roam-Like-At-Home rules : you can use your Belgian credit in every EU country plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein at domestic rates. Fair-use limit : roughly 25-30 days per year abroad without surcharge ; beyond that the provider may apply a surcharge. For longer foreign stays a local SIM in the destination country often works out cheaper.
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SIM-only subscriptions
When a fixed monthly subscription is cheaper than prepaid.
Unlimited mobile
Plans with truly unlimited data — no fair-use cap.
Broadband + Mobile
Fixed broadband bundled with a mobile plan.
Lycamobile
The specialist MVNO for international calling.
Mobile Vikings
Online-first MVNO with prepaid and SIM-only.
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* Price ranges and bundle info updated in July 2026. Prepaid tariffs and top-up bundles are given here as indicative ranges ; always check the provider\'s official page (proximus.be, orange.be, base.be, mobilevikings.be, lycamobile.be, jimmobile.be) for current bundles. Registration requirement per Belgian anti-terrorism legislation since June 2017. Only promotions from our partners are reflected.