Best SIM for International Calling in Austria (2026)
Updated: August 3 2026| Found helpful by 12 others
Calling into the EU
spusu legendar includes free calls from Austria into the EU for €9.90 / month with 100 GB data and no minimum term. MTEL Austria ZONE costs €10 / month with unlimited domestic minutes and 200 minutes into the EU. Both are monthly plans you can cancel at any time.
Calling outside the EU
EU flat rates stop at the EU border, so check the per-minute rate for your destination first. MTEL Austria ZONE is built for Balkan and ex-Yugoslav calling. Lyca Mobile sells no-contract international prepaid from €2.50 with destination-specific bundles. A1 and Red Bull MOBILE add international and roaming extras on top of a standard plan.
Sorting changes the order of the provider cards below.
Our overall pick below is spusu, from €9.90.
1. spusu legendar
Only Austrian SIM that bundles free AT-to-EU calls at under €10/month with 100 GB data and no minimum term.
- Monthly price
- €9.90
- DataBest
- 100 GB
- Network
Network
The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.
- Drei (host)
- Contract
Contract
Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.
- None, cancel anytime
More details
- EU calls
- Free from Austria
- Domestic
- 2,000 min + 1,000 SMS
- Rollover
Rollover
Whether unused data carries into next month instead of expiring. Worth more than a slightly bigger allowance if your usage swings month to month.
- Yes, unused data
- English support
- No, German only
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- 2,000 domestic minutes and 1,000 SMS included
- No minimum term, cancel anytime
- Best value for regular EU callers
Cons
- Calls to non-EU countries (Balkans, US) billed per minute
- German-language customer support only
Best for Residents who call EU countries regularly from Austria
2. MTEL Austria ZONE
Purpose-built for Balkan and ex-Yugoslav diaspora with competitive per-minute rates into Western Balkans destinations not covered by EU roaming.
- Monthly price
- €10
- Data
- 2 to 10 GB options
- Network
Network
The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.
- MVNO, host not disclosed
- Contract
Contract
Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.
- None, free activation
More details
- EU calls
- 200 minutes included
- Domestic
- Unlimited min + SMS
- Balkans
- Competitive per-minute
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Free SIM activation, no binding contract
- Tailored for Balkan diaspora calling patterns
- Covers destinations outside EU roaming (Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo)
Cons
- Data allowance lower than spusu for the same price
- Less well-known brand, fewer review sources
Best for Balkan and ex-Yugoslav diaspora who call home regularly from Austria
3. Lyca Mobile Austria
Lowest-cost entry point for international calling in Austria at €2.50 with no contract required.
- Monthly priceBest
- From €2.50
- Data
- Lower than spusu per euro
- Network
Network
The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.
- A1 (host)
- Contract
Contract
Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.
- None, no minimum term
More details
- International
- South Asia, Middle East, Africa
- Format
- Physical SIM + eSIM
- Network access
- 4G and 5G
- Support
- Slow response times
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Competitive per-minute rates into many international destinations
- Covers South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa
- Lowest-cost entry point for international calling
Cons
- Data allowances lower than spusu at comparable prices
- Customer support response times can be slow
Best for Occasional international callers who want low cost with no commitment
4. A1
Best network coverage in Austria with flexible monthly add-ons for international calling and roaming.
- Monthly price
- From €9.90
- Data
- From 60 GB on SIMply
- NetworkBest
Network
The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.
- A1 (own network)
- Contract
Contract
Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.
- None on SIMply prepaid
More details
- Intl calling
- Optional monthly add-ons
- Coverage
Coverage
How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.
- Best incl. Alpine areas
- English support
- Yes
- 5G
- Major cities
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- English customer support available
- 5G access in major Austrian cities
- Best coverage in Austria, including Alpine areas
Cons
- More expensive than MVNOs like spusu
- International minutes cost extra on top of base plan
Best for People who prioritise network coverage and want international add-ons on a premium network
5. Airalo
Best option for staying connected on data and calls while traveling outside Austria, with instant QR activation.
- Price
- From €4.50 / 1 GB
- Validity
Validity
How long the eSIM data stays usable after activation. Unused data expires at the end of it, and most travel eSIMs do not roll it over.
- Limited on cheapest plans
- Coverage
Coverage
How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.
- Global, 200+ destinations
- Type
- Travel eSIM, data-focused
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Instant activation via QR code before travel
- No ID or store visit required
- Works on dual-SIM phones alongside an Austrian SIM
Cons
- Data only on most plans, no phone number for calls
- Not a substitute for a resident Austrian SIM
Best for Travelers who need connectivity while outside Austria
The best SIM for international calling in Austria depends on your destination. spusu legendar at €9.90/month covers EU calling with no extra charge. MTEL Austria ZONE at €10/month targets the Balkan diaspora. Lyca Mobile from €2.50 suits irregular callers who want no commitment. If you travel frequently, a travel eSIM like Airalo keeps you connected abroad.
Which SIM Is Best for Calling the Balkans and ex-Yugoslavia?
MTEL Austria ZONE is the top choice for calling Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and other ex-Yugoslav countries from Austria. EU roaming does not cover these destinations because they are outside the EU. MTEL Austria ZONE at €10/month includes 200 minutes into EU countries and competitive per-minute rates into Western Balkans, where other Austrian providers charge high international rates.
Austria has one of the largest Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian diaspora communities in Europe, concentrated in Vienna, Linz, and Graz. MTEL Austria was built specifically for this community. The free activation and no-binding contract make it easy to test without risk. Lyca Mobile is a secondary option with lower entry costs but fewer Balkan-specific features.
For calls to Croatia specifically: Croatia joined the EU in 2013, so calls from Austria to Croatian numbers are covered by EU roaming on any Austrian SIM that includes EU calling minutes. For all other Western Balkans destinations, check per-minute rates before committing to a plan.
How Do International Minutes and EU Roaming Differ?
| Feature | EU Roaming | International Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Using your plan while physically in another EU/EEA country | Calling foreign numbers from Austria |
| Countries covered | 27 EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway | Varies by plan, may include non-EU |
| Balkans (Bosnia, Serbia) | Not covered (not EU members) | Covered if plan includes them |
| Croatia | Covered (EU member since 2013) | Covered under EU calling |
| spusu legendar | Yes, included | Free calls AT to EU included |
EU roaming (Roam Like at Home) lets you use your Austrian plan's minutes, SMS, and data in other EU and EEA countries at no extra charge. International minutes are a separate allowance for calls made from Austria to foreign numbers. These are two distinct features that are often confused.
How Much Do International-Calling SIMs Cost?
| Plan | Provider | Price | Domestic mins | Into-EU mins | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| legendar | spusu | €9,90/Mo. | 2.000 | Kostenlos (alle EU) | EU calls |
| ZONE | MTEL Austria | €10/Mo. | Unlimited | 200 min | Balkans diaspora |
| Prepaid | Lyca Mobile | ab €2,50/Mo. | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent | No-contract |
| SIMply | A1 | ab €9,90/Mo. | Plan-dependent | Add-on | Alpine coverage |
Prices as of June 2026. Sources: Provider websites.
Prices range from €2.50/month (Lyca Mobile no-contract) to €10/month (MTEL Austria ZONE) for plans tailored to international calling. spusu legendar at €9.90/month offers the strongest EU-calling value. Check per-minute rates for non-EU destinations before choosing.
Calling from Abroad? Use a Travel eSIM
If you travel outside Austria and need data or calling access in another country, a travel eSIM from Airalo is the easiest solution. Buy before you leave, activate by scanning a QR code, and connect on landing. No ID, no store visit, no minimum term. Airalo works on dual SIM phones alongside your existing Austrian SIM card, so you keep your Austrian number while using local data rates abroad.
Airalo plans start from €4.50 for 1 GB in individual countries and from €18 for 5 GB across 30+ European countries. For the Western Balkans, Airalo offers country-specific eSIMs for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia, giving you local data rates when you visit rather than relying on expensive Austrian international roaming.
Travel eSIM: Airalo
Instant data for 200+ countries. Activate before you travel. No store visit or ID needed. View Airalo plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best SIM for international calling in Austria?
spusu legendar at €9.90/month is the best overall: 100 GB data, 2,000 domestic minutes, and free calls from Austria into all EU countries. For Balkan destinations, MTEL Austria ZONE at €10/month is the better fit.
Which SIM is best for calling Bosnia, Serbia, or other Balkan countries?
MTEL Austria ZONE at €10/month is purpose-built for the Balkan diaspora. It includes 200 minutes into EU countries and competitive per-minute rates into Western Balkans destinations not covered by EU roaming.
Does EU roaming cover Bosnia, Serbia, or Kosovo?
No. EU roaming covers the 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo are outside the EU and are billed as international calls at per-minute rates.
How much does Lyca Mobile cost in Austria?
Lyca Mobile Austria starts from €2.50/month with no contract. Plans are available as physical SIM and eSIM on 4G/5G.
What is the difference between EU roaming and international minutes?
EU roaming lets you use your Austrian plan while physically in another EU/EEA country. International minutes are a separate allowance for calls made from Austria to foreign numbers. spusu legendar includes both: EU roaming and free AT-to-EU calling minutes.
What is the cheapest way to call internationally from Austria?
Lyca Mobile from €2.50/month is the cheapest entry point. For EU calling, spusu legendar at €9.90/month offers the best per-call value with free AT-to-EU minutes included.
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