When does the validity period start — at purchase or when I land?

Validity on the ETravelSim Romania eSIM starts the day you begin using it in Romania, when your phone first connects to Vodafone on arrival. You can purchase weeks in advance, install the QR code at home before flying, and the timer only starts on first connection. Installing at home is the safer option because you'll know before boarding the eSIM is set up correctly. Don't delete the eSIM profile after installation — reinstallation may not be possible.