Do you regularly call family or friends abroad? Then Lebara has probably already appeared on your radar. This provider specializes in international calling — and you'll notice that immediately in their plans. But how does it work exactly, and is Lebara also interesting if you mainly call within the Netherlands?

Read also: What to look for with Sim Only

What makes Lebara different?

Lebara focuses on people who stay in touch with other countries. You can see that in three things:

  • Unlimited international calling — many plans include unlimited calling to landlines and mobile numbers in dozens of countries
  • Vodafone network — Lebara uses Vodafone's network, so you get the same coverage as Vodafone customers
  • Cancel monthly — no annual contract, you're not tied to anything

If you mainly use WhatsApp to call, this might be less relevant. But if you do regularly make 'real' calls abroad — for example to parents, family or business contacts — Lebara can save you a lot on your phone bill.

Which plans does Lebara offer?

Lebara offers various plans, from small to unlimited. The structure is simple:

  • Small plans (5-10 GB) — suitable if you mainly use wifi and occasionally need mobile internet
  • Medium plans (15-30 GB) — for daily use: WhatsApp, social media, navigation, occasional YouTube video
  • Large plans (50+ GB or unlimited) — for those who stream a lot, use hotspot or don't have wifi

Almost all plans include unlimited calling and texting within the Netherlands. The difference is mainly in the amount of mobile data and which countries you can call unlimited.

International calling: to which countries?

Lebara's international minutes apply to a fixed list of countries. Think of popular destinations like Poland, Romania, Turkey, Morocco, India, Pakistan and many EU countries. The exact list differs per plan — the larger the plan, the more countries are included.

Note: calling mobile numbers in some countries does count, but not always unlimited. Check before you choose which countries and number types (landline/mobile) are in your plan.

Vodafone network: how's the coverage?

Lebara uses Vodafone's network. That means you get the same coverage and speed as Vodafone customers — including 4G and 5G (depending on your plan and device).

Vodafone scores well on coverage in the Netherlands, especially in urban areas. In sparsely populated areas or some rural spots, coverage can be slightly less than with KPN, but for most people the difference is negligible.

Suitable for: cities, suburbs, most villages. Less ideal: remote areas where KPN often scores just a bit better.

How does Lebara compare to other budget providers?

Lebara is in the budget segment, just like providers such as Simyo, Youfone and 50+mobiel. The big difference: Lebara's focus on international calling.

If international calling isn't relevant to you, there are alternatives that sometimes work out cheaper. 50+mobiel for example scores high on value for money: with 44,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.5/5 stars and according to our internal analysis the longest at #1 in 2025 for best Sim Only deal, it's a strong choice for those who mainly call and stream within the Netherlands.

But do you regularly call abroad? Then Lebara is often cheaper than a standard plan with separate calling minutes.

Read also: Cheapest Sim Only plan: find the best deal

Customer service and reliability

Lebara has a mixed reputation on customer service. Some customers are satisfied, others complain about long waiting times or unclear communication. That's not unique to Lebara — many budget providers invest less in customer service to keep prices low.

Positive: Lebara has an online self-service environment where you can arrange a lot yourself (adjust plan, check usage, view invoices). For urgent questions you can call or email, but don't expect premium service like with KPN or Vodafone themselves.

Suitable for: people who are independent and don't often need help. Less suitable for: those who like to quickly get someone on the line with problems.

Who is Lebara interesting for?

Lebara fits best in these situations:

  • You regularly call abroad — family, friends or work in other countries
  • You want flexibility — cancel monthly, no annual contract
  • You're looking for a budget option — cheaper than the big providers, but with the same network (Vodafone)
  • You don't need premium customer service — you prefer to arrange things online yourself

Less suitable if:

  • You never call internationally — then you're paying for something you don't use
  • You live in an area with mediocre Vodafone coverage
  • You want extensive customer service with short waiting times

Compare Lebara with other providers via Welli →

Conclusion: Lebara Sim Only — plans, international calling & review?

Lebara is a smart choice if international calling is important to you. The combination of unlimited calling to dozens of countries, the Vodafone network and monthly cancellation makes it attractive for those who stay in touch with other countries.

Do you mainly call within the Netherlands? Then there are alternatives that fit better — think of 50+mobiel for the best value for money or Simyo for KPN coverage. But for international calling, Lebara is hard to beat in this price segment.

Unsure between Lebara and another provider? Welli compares all plans in real-time and shows which fits best with your calling and streaming habits. Give Welli 2 minutes and you'll have a plan that really fits you.