How to get free data in 2026: free eSIM data for traveling

International roaming fees can quickly drain your budget – a single week abroad can cost $50.00–100.00 in data alone. Relying on free public Wi-Fi isn’t much better, as it often comes with slow speeds and security risks. Some eSIM providers do offer free plans for new users, but they’re usually just one-time trials, giving 100MB – barely enough to load a map.

If you need free eSIM data for travel, I recommend trying Saily’s Refer a Friend program. You can earn ongoing credits for eSIM data plans, so you can stay connected across multiple trips without spending money or relying on short trial periods.

In this guide, I’ll break down how the Saily referral program works, how much free data you can realistically earn, and how to start saving on mobile data. Since I tested the referral program before writing this review, I’ll give you insights from my personal experience – not just marketing claims.

Quick overview

• Saily’s Refer a Friend program is one of the easiest ways to get free data, rewarding you with $5.00 in credits for every successful referral
• $5.00 of Saily credits typically translates to 1–3 GB of data in many regions – enough to cover essentials like navigation, messaging, and light browsing for about a week
• Credits stack, stay valid for 12 months, and work across 200+ destinations, giving you flexibility in any part of the world
• While alternatives like public Wi-Fi or free trials exist, Saily’s referral system is the most reliable option for consistent, long-term connectivity abroad

Can you actually get mobile data for free?

Yes, but how useful it is depends on the method. I personally find referral programs to be the most reliable way to get free data abroad. For instance, Saily’s Refer a Friend program gives you an opportunity to earn credits repeatedly, which can cover 100% of your eSIM data plan.

While other free data options exist, they usually come with limits. Most fall into 3 categories: short eSIM trials from carriers, tiny rewards from ad-based apps, or government programs like the US Lifeline program that provide limited data to eligible households.

These are fine for testing a service or handling emergencies, but they won’t cover you for the entire trip. A 100MB trial might get you through airport arrival, but it won’t last a full day of navigation, messaging, and streaming.

What is Saily eSIM?

Created by Nord Security (the team behind NordVPN), Saily is a premium eSIM service for affordable yet reliable data abroad. It includes everything you might expect from a top eSIM provider – global connectivity, fast speeds, easy setup and top-ups via the app, and affordable rates. What sets it apart from others is the additional security features across every plan, including virtual location, an ad blocker, and web protection.

Saily eSIM offers extremely flexible data plans. Depending on your destination, you can usually get a plan from 1GB to unlimited data for 7 or 30 days. This makes it suitable for both short weekend trips and extended stays. If you’re traveling to multiple countries, you can opt for the regional or global plan, so you won’t lose connectivity when crossing borders. I’ve tested Saily in many countries – from Italy to Japan – and it consistently ranked at the top of my lists for best speeds, pricing, reliability, and ease of use compared to other eSIM providers. You can check out our full Saily review to learn more.

How does Saily's referral program work?

Using Saily’s referral program is actually pretty simple. Every Saily user gets a personal referral code in the app. Once you share it with a friend, and they use it on their first purchase, they get $5.00 off their first Saily plan – and you earn $5.00 in Saily credits. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:

• Share your unique referral code with friends, family, or fellow travelers
• When someone redeems it on their first Saily purchase, they get $5.00 in free eSIM data
• You automatically receive $5.00 in Saily credits, ready to use
• Credits apply to any Saily data plan, covering up to 100% of the order
• Credits are valid for 12 months from the date they’re issued

If you’re wondering what you can get for $5.00 in credits, it usually covers 1-3GB of data. It’s enough for a week-long trip using navigation, messaging, and light browsing. Of course, if you’re streaming or working remotely, you might need to top up. ​The math is easy – the more friends you invite, the more data you have. For example, by referring 10 friends, you earn $50.00 in credits, which you can use toward a few plans for multiple short trips or a larger plan for a longer journey. Refer 20 people, and you’re looking at $100.00 in free data across dozens of destinations – enough to keep your travel connected all year.

How to find and share your Saily referral code?

If you’re looking for your Saily referral code, you can easily find and share it with your friends or family in just a few taps:

1. Open the Saily app

   

2. Go to the Credits section at the bottom

   

3. Your referral code will be displayed on the screen
4. Copy it and share it via WhatsApp, email, social media, or directly with friends

   

Once someone uses your code and completes their first purchase, your credits are added automatically – you won’t need to do anything more from your side.

Get free eSIM data with Saily

What can you do with Saily credits?

Saily credits work just like real money toward any eSIM data plan. They’re automatically applied at checkout and can be used across more than 200 destinations. Therefore, it’s a flexible and convenient option for travelers crossing borders.

Credits also stack with every referral. If you bring in 5 friends and get $25.00 in Saily credits, that amounts to a 3GB plan in Europe, a 5GB plan in Southeast Asia, or multiple smaller plans for quick weekend getaways.

If your credits fully cover the plan costs, you can travel with zero data expenses out of pocket. There’s one catch: credits can’t be combined with coupon codes or other deals, so you’ll need to pick the option that gives you the best value at checkout.

Other ways to get free mobile data

While, from my experience, the quickest way to get free data is through referral programs, there are a couple of other tested methods you can try. Just note that every option usually comes with trade-offs, so it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for:

• Saily coupon codes. Not exactly free, but Saily discounts can noticeably lower your data bill. Keep in mind that you can’t combine coupons with referral credits, so you’ll need to pick whichever option gives you the bigger savings.
• Free Wi-Fi hotspots. Airports, hotels, cafés, and public spaces usually offer free Wi-Fi, making this a workaround for many travelers. However, there are some noticeable downsides like slow speeds, unstable connections, and real security risks. If you go this route, using a VPN like NordVPN is essential to keep your data encrypted and safe.
• Hotspot from friends or travel companions. If someone in your group has mobile data, they can share it via hotspot. It’s convenient, but it drains battery quickly and splits bandwidth – meaning slower speeds for everyone connected.
• Free eSIM trials. Some providers offer one-time trials for new users. These are great for testing compatibility, but the data allowance is usually too limited for real travel use, and you only get it once. For consistent savings, referral credits are far more practical.
• Government assistance programs. In the US, initiatives like Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program provide free or discounted mobile data to eligible users. However, these are domestic-only solutions and require verification, so they won’t help if you’re traveling abroad.

Is the Saily Refer a Friend program worth it?

Yes, Saily’s Refer a Friend program is a great way to stay connected abroad for free, especially if you or your friends travel frequently. Each successful referral translates into $5.00 in Saily credits, which you can use to cover your data plan in more than 200 destinations. For context, a 1-2GB plan in Europe or Asia for a weekend typically costs $5.00-8.00, so a single referral can nearly pay for your data expenses.

If you’re interested, the program is free to join - no purchase is required. All you need to do is share your referral code with your friends or family. With a few successful referrals, you can gather enough credits to cover multiple trips throughout the year.

Saily credits last for 12 months, so you don’t have to spend them right away. You can stack them across multiple referrals instead, and use them to purchase a bigger plan.

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