Telemach eSIM and SIM Cards: Detailed Guides for Tourists

Croatia offers beautiful beaches, history, food, and wine – the perfect tourist destination. Mobile connectivity is essential for calls, maps, tours, dining, and more during a Croatia trip.

Telemach provides excellent 4G/5G coverage as Croatia’s second-largest operator. Both physical SIMs and eSIMs allow tourists to stay connected. This guide covers everything you need to know about Telemach eSIM and SIM options to enhance your Croatia experience.

1. Quick Facts about Telemach

• Telemach is the 2nd largest mobile network in Croatia with a 30% market share
• It has excellent population coverage of 99% on 4G and 87% on 5G
• Fast 4G speeds of around 40 Mbps and 5G speeds nearing 150 Mbps
• Telemach offers both prepaid and postpaid mobile plans
• Prepaid SIM cards and eSIM available for tourists
• Affordable data packages, EU roaming, great network quality

There is strong competition between the brand Telemach and the Ht brand belonging to T-Mobile. It is not far from the best. Its network is as good as that of any player in coverage and speed.

For instance, Telemach has more competitive data packages compared to A1, a simple activation procedure, and eSIM availability.

2. Why Telemach When You’re Exploring Croatia – Coverage and Speed

Whether you’re traveling along Croatia’s scenic coastline or venturing inland to explore medieval towns, having a reliable mobile connection can be important when exploring this beautiful country.

2.1. Telemach Coverage in Croatia 

Here is a summary of Telemach’s coverage in Croatia, based on Opensignal’s report: 

• Overall Coverage: Telemach comes last for Coverage Experience overall, with a score of 8.4 points on a 10-point scale. This means that Telemach’s network is not as widely available as HT’s or A1’s networks.
• 5G Coverage: Telemach has the best 5G coverage experience in Croatia, with a score of 2.2 points on a 10-point scale. This means that Telemach’s 5G network is the most widely available in the country.
• Consistent Experience: Telemach gets the most stable mobile network experience and scores 81.7%. Therefore, Telemach network provides end users with enough experience so that they can either continue with or complete their typical demanding tasks on their devices.

Conclusively, Telemach is an ideal network that delivers a superior consistent experience plus an impressive 5G coverage for most Croatian mobile users.

2.2. Telemach Speed 

According to Opensignal’s October 2023 Croatia Mobile Network Experience Report, Telemach offers the fastest average upload speeds in the country, with a score of 16.5Mbps. This is 2.4Mbps faster than HT, which came in second place:

• Download Speed: Telemach comes in joint first place for Download Speed Experience, with a score of 68.5Mbps.
• Upload Speed: Telemach wins the Upload Speed Experience award outright, with a score of 16.5Mbps.

In general, Telemach provides excellent speeds to the mobile users of Croatia on the whole.

3. Telemach Connectivity Options for Travelers to Croatia

Croatia has Telemach, a SIM card as well as an eSIM provider named Telemach. Here are the two main connectivity options you can choose from:

Both options provide excellent Telemach service in Croatia. The prepaid SIM requires changing your physical SIM which may be inconvenient. The eSIM is easier to activate and manage through an app, while keeping your primary SIM intact.

Next, let’s look at the best SIM card and eSIM plans offered by Telemach for tourists coming to Croatia.

4. Best Telemach SIM Cards Croatia for Tourists & Cost

Here is a table of the two tourist packages offered by Telemach Croatia:

If you need a lot of data, the NET2GO for tourists package is the better option. It offers unlimited data for 30 days for a relatively low price.

If you need less data or want to save some money, the SIM2GO for tourists package is a good option. It offers 10 GB of data, 200 local minutes, and 1000 SMS messages for 30 days.

5. Does Telemach Support eSIM in Croatia?

Yes, Telemach launched eSIM support in 2020 but Telemach eSIM is only available for Telemach users of subscription packages, not for tourists.

Telemach eSIM service works on the latest iPhone and Android phones like the Samsung S22 series. You can download the eSIM profile while keeping your home SIM intact.

6. Where can You Buy Telemach SIM card Croatia and eSIM?

Here are some of the ways you can purchase a Telemach SIM card or eSIM in Croatia:

6.1. Where to Buy Telemach SIM Card in Croatia?

Telemach SIM card for tourists can be purchased at a variety of locations throughout Croatia, including:

• Telemach shops: Telemach official shops include a variety of items such as SIM cards, and mobile phones, as well as different plans for the Internet. Click here to find a store near you.
• Newsstands: These are shops selling newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. Most of times they also sell SIM cards and other mobile phone accessories.
• Grocery stores: Croatian large grocery stores have a section selling mobile phones and SIM cards.
• Post offices: Likewise, mobile phones and their accessories can be bought at Croatian post offices.
• Gas stations: In addition, Croatian gas stations also provide SIM cards and other related accessories of mobile phones.

In addition to these physical locations, you can also purchase NET2GO and SIM2GO for tourists online from the Telemach website.

6.2. Where to Buy Telemach eSIM Croatia?

Telemach eSIM is easiest to purchase in-person from a Telemach store in Croatia and get assistance from the staff.

7. How to Activate Telemach SIM/eSIM in Croatia?

Activating your Telemach SIM or eSIM is very easy and quick:

7.1. How to Use a Telemach SIM Card in Croatia?

You only need to follow these simple steps and everything will be ready:

5. Insert the SIM card: Locate the SIM card slot on your device
6. Power on your device: Turn on your device and wait for it to recognize the SIM card
7. Activate the SIM card: In most cases, the SIM card will be pre-activated
8. Set up APN settings if you can not use the eSIM.
9. Check your services.

7.2. How to Activate Telemach eSIM Croatia?

Getting started with an Orange eSIM for France is quite easy as follows:

1. Install the eSIM
2. Activate the eSIM
3. Set up the eSIM
4. Start using the eSIM: Once the eSIM is activated and set up, you can start using its services.

With physical SIM, activation is automatic as soon as you insert the SIM and select the Telemach network. For eSIM, scan the QR code to download and install the eSIM profile.

8. Croatia Telemach Call & SMS Rates

Here are the current prepaid call and text rates on Telemach:

Please note that these rates are for standard calls and SMS messages. More premium services, for instance, international calls and roaming might incur extra costs.

9. Useful USSD Codes for Telemach SIM/eSIM

You can check your balance: 

• by sending an SMS with the keyword BALANCE to 13880 
• by dialing *150# 
• by downloading Telemach App. 

You can check remaining data, plan details and credit balance easily via USSD codes.

10. How to Top-up Telemach SIM/eSIM

You can recharge or top-up your Telemach eSIM or SIM Card through multiple convenient ways:

• Telemach App – Instant top-up with international card
• Website – Recharge online using credit/debit card
• Vouchers – Enter top-up PIN at telemach.hr/voucher
• Stores – Pay cash or card at a Telemach store

Minimum top-up amount is 25 HRK. Instant top-ups are available through app or online payments. Vouchers take upto 24 hours to reflect on your SIM.

If you run out of data or credit, simply purchase a top-up through the app or website to continue enjoying Telemach service.

11. Alternatives to A1 in Croatia

Here are some alternatives you can consider for your SIM card in Croatia:

• HT – Second largest provider with good coverage.
• Bonbon – Prepaid SIM brand owned by Telemach.
• Tomato – Prepaid virtual operator with cheap data rates.
• croatiaesim.com –  Croatiaesim offers Croatia eSIM plans from 3 to 30 days. Plans provide 1-20GB daily data for $6-100 depending on duration and data.

A1 generally has the best overall coverage in Croatia but the above option can also provide good service.

Browse croatiaesim.com wide range of short-term and long-term eSIM data packages starting from only $6. Choose from plans ranging from 3 days to 30 days with up to 20GB of data per day. No need to worry about roaming fees either – simply turn on data roaming on your phone and you’re good to go.

12. FAQs about Telemach in Croatia

Here are some frequently asked questions about using Telemach SIM card and eSIM for travel in Croatia:

13. Final Words

This guide provides steps to connect to Telemach Croatia during your visit. They offer prepaid SIM cards and eSIM with great coverage. Purchase a Tourist SIM or download an eSIM before arrival to power your connectivity. Enjoy Croatia’s beaches, islands, culture and cuisine with reliable mobile access.