No, not right away. Buying an eSIM plan does not start its validity, so you can buy it well before your trip.
- Unused plan: an unused plan stays available for a set period after purchase.
- Validity days: the plan's days (for example 7 or 30 days) start only at first use, when the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country. Buying or installing the eSIM does not start them.
- The eSIM profile and top-ups: an eSIM can be topped up only while it is still active on the network — depending on the package, about 2 months from purchase or about 6 months after the last package activity. After that the network switches it off, and for your next trip you simply buy a new eSIM.
- After activation: the plan ends when its validity days run out or its data is used up, whichever comes first.
Tip: install the eSIM on Wi-Fi before you travel, and turn it on when you arrive.