How Belfius gave every customer free data for its banking app abroad

Belfius customers can use Belfius Mobile in 176 countries and regions without paying roaming charges. They open Firsty from Belfius Mobile, verify their phone number and activate a free eSIM once. Belfius launched this in June 2025 as the first Belgian bank to offer it, and it did not integrate an API or run any connectivity infrastructure to do it.

At a glance

The problem

Belfius customers stopped using their banking app abroad, exactly when they needed it most. Abroad, the app is how they check balances, make transfers, unlock their cards and react to fraud alerts. But:

• Roaming costs put people off using mobile data outside the EU.

• Public wifi is a poor place to do your banking.

• A local SIM card means giving up your own number while you travel.

• Two-factor authentication only works if the customer is reachable.

How it works for customers

Customers activate the eSIM once, and from then on Belfius Mobile works abroad without roaming charges.

1. Open Belfius Mobile and choose the worldwide connection option.

2. Download Firsty.

3. Create a Firsty account by verifying your phone number.

4. Activate the free eSIM once.

5. Use Belfius Mobile abroad without roaming charges.

Customers keep their own SIM card and mobile plan. There is no physical SIM to swap and no subscription to upgrade.

What customers can do abroad

Everything they do in Belfius Mobile at home:

What Belfius built, and what Firsty handles

Belfius added one entry point to its app. Firsty runs everything behind it.

Belfius did not integrate Firsty's API, sign carrier contracts or set up provisioning or support. Nothing on the connectivity side needs maintaining by its IT team.

Link-out or full API integration?

Pick the link-out setup when you want customers to have free data quickly. Pick the API when connectivity has to sit inside your own app flow.

The link-out setup fits when:

• You want customers to have data abroad without becoming a connectivity provider.

• You don't need usage data in your own analytics.

• You don't have engineering time to spare.

The API fits when connectivity is part of your product, you need the eSIM installed inside a specific flow in your app, or you sell connectivity yourself. See how Pexx built a white-label travel eSIM on the Firsty API.

Could this work for your bank or fintech?

Yes, if you have a place in your app to add the entry point and customers who travel. That's all the link-out setup needs. Firsty handles the connectivity, activation and support.

Tell us about your product and we'll walk you through the setup that fits, live.

FAQ

How did Belfius offer free roaming data in its app?

Belfius added an entry point to Belfius Mobile that opens Firsty. Customers verify their phone number and activate a free Firsty eSIM once. After that, Belfius Mobile works in 176 countries without roaming charges.

Did Belfius have to integrate an API?

No. Belfius did not integrate Firsty's API or run any connectivity infrastructure. Firsty handles the eSIM, carrier access, activation and support.

When did Belfius launch free roaming for its app?

In June 2025, with the Belfius Mobile update of 23 June 2025. Belfius was the first Belgian bank to offer app access without roaming charges.

Do customers need a new SIM card or mobile plan?

No. The Firsty eSIM sits next to the customer's own SIM. They keep their number and their existing plan.