Looking for an eSIM in Iceland? The local mobile operators Nova, Síminn and Sýn (Vodafone Iceland) are the ones Apple lists for Iceland, and Nova and Síminn both sell an eSIM you can set up online. If you're visiting, a data-only travel eSIM is the easy alternative: you buy it online, install it before you fly and it connects when you land. This guide shows who offers what, and which option suits your trip.
Visiting for a few days or weeks? A travel eSIM gives you data without a store visit, and you keep your home number for calls and texts. If you need a phone number as well, there's one plan type that includes it, explained below.
Data-only plans for Iceland · See all Iceland eSIMs · All destinations
eSIM providers in Iceland at a glance
Apple's list of carriers that support eSIM on iPhone has three carriers for Iceland: Nova, Síminn and Sýn. Only Síminn is also listed for prepaid plans for international travelers (Apple: carriers that offer eSIM service on iPhone). Here's how they compare:
- Nova: eSIM with online self-service setup. It activates when you arrive in Iceland.
- Síminn: prepaid eSIM starter packs in its web shop, activated on purchase.
- Sýn (Vodafone Iceland): its English site describes a prepaid SIM card. It doesn't mention eSIM, so check with Sýn before you count on one.
- Travel eSIMs: sold online by providers like SimOptions. Data only (one plan type also has a number), no store visit, ready before you leave.
Nova eSIM Iceland
Nova is the operator behind most of the "Nova eSIM Iceland" searches. On its English page, Nova says:
- Self-service: you set up the eSIM yourself online and can do it before you leave home. You can also set it up when you land at Keflavík airport.
- Activation: the eSIM activates when you arrive in Iceland, not earlier.
- Data: unlimited mobile data, and you choose how long it lasts. The page doesn't list prices, so check them on Nova's eSIM Iceland page before you buy.
- Coverage: Nova advertises 5G coverage across Iceland.
- Nova app: you can follow your data use and chat with customer service in it.
- No eSIM on your phone? Nova sells a plastic SIM at ELKO in Keflavík airport and in its stores in Kringlan, Smáralind, Akureyri and Lágmúli, Reykjavík.
Nova's English page doesn't say whether the eSIM comes with a phone number, calls or texts, or whether you need ID. Check the eSIM Iceland page before you buy if that matters to you.
Síminn eSIM Iceland
Síminn sells prepaid eSIM starter packs in its web shop. According to that page, you can pick one of two packs, and the eSIM is activated on purchase:
- 10 GB pack: 10 GB of data valid for 30 days. It works in Iceland and the EEA, and includes 50 texts and 50 minutes of international calls to listed countries.
- Unlimited pack: unlimited data valid for 14 days. It works only in Iceland, and includes unlimited minutes and texts to Icelandic numbers.
Síminn warns that the eSIM won't work in countries outside the EEA. So it suits you if you're staying in Iceland, or travelling on within Europe. Top-ups are made on Síminn's website or in the Síminn app (Síminn: prepaid).
Sýn (Vodafone Iceland)
Vodafone's old address, vodafone.is, now forwards to the website of Sýn, and Apple lists Sýn for eSIM in Iceland. Sýn's English page shows a prepaid SIM card for your handset and a top-up page. It doesn't mention eSIM, and its starter pack with overseas calls is marked as available only on board Icelandair flights. If you want a Vodafone eSIM, ask Sýn first. If you'd rather not wait for an answer, Nova, Síminn or a travel eSIM are the options we could confirm.
Roaming in Iceland with an EU or EEA SIM
Iceland is in the EEA, so the EU's "roam like at home" rules apply there. If your SIM comes from an EU or EEA country, your normal plan can work in Iceland at no extra charge, within the fair use limits your operator sets (Your Europe: mobile roaming costs). Check your operator's terms before you buy anything else.
If your SIM is from the US, Canada, the UK or elsewhere outside the EU and EEA, your own operator's roaming prices apply. That's where a travel eSIM helps. More in our guide to roaming settings for an eSIM. Adding Greece to your trip? Read our guide to eSIM providers in Greece.
Iceland travel eSIM: data without a local SIM
A travel eSIM is a data plan you buy online. You get a QR code by email, install it on Wi-Fi before you leave, and it connects when you reach Iceland. According to their plan details, the SimOptions Iceland plans:
- Speed: support 4G and 5G where your phone and the network allow it.
- Data only: no Icelandic phone number, no calls or SMS. You call and message with apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime. See how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM.
- Activation: once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you reach Iceland.
- No paperwork: no store visit.
- Top-ups: available if you run low on data.
- Expiry: if you don't use the eSIM within a year, it becomes invalid.
How much data do you need for Iceland?
The Iceland plans range from 1 GB for 3 days to 100 GB for 180 days. As a rough guide:
- A few days: 1 GB to 3 GB for maps, messages and tickets.
- About a week: 5 GB or 10 GB for 7 days, enough for navigation on a road trip plus photos.
- One to two weeks: 20 GB for 15 days.
- A month or longer: 50 GB for 30 days, or the larger plans for long stays.
Want a side-by-side view of the plans? See our guide to the best eSIMs for Iceland.
Do you need an Iceland eSIM with a phone number?
The Iceland plans above are data only. If you also want a number for calls and SMS, the Bouygues Telecom Travel Basic+ plan comes with a French number (+33) and also lists Iceland among its 46 countries. It's a French number, not an Icelandic one, so it doesn't replace a local number for Icelandic services. For that, look at the Nova or Síminn options above.
How to set up your Iceland eSIM
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. More in our guide to checking eSIM compatibility.
- Buy your plan and wait for the QR code by email.
- Install it on Wi-Fi before you leave. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Step by step for iPhone and Android: how to install an eSIM.
- Label the line "Iceland" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
- When you arrive, make the travel eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Not connecting after you arrive? Go through our eSIM activation fixes.
Local eSIM or travel eSIM: which one is right for you?
A Nova or Síminn eSIM fits if
- You live in Iceland or stay for a longer time.
- You want a local plan, with the terms and prices set by the operator.
- You've checked what the plan includes (calls, texts, ID) on the operator's own page.
A travel eSIM fits if
- You're on a short trip and want data the moment you land.
- You'd rather set everything up at home, before the flight.
- You want to keep your home number on your phone at the same time. See how to set up a dual eSIM.
Heading on to Norway or elsewhere in Europe? Take a look at our Europe eSIMs and the guide on how to use an eSIM in Europe.
FAQs
Which eSIM providers are there in Iceland?
Apple lists Nova, Síminn and Sýn for eSIM on iPhone in Iceland. Nova and Síminn both describe an eSIM you can get online. You can also buy a travel eSIM from providers like SimOptions.
Does Nova offer an eSIM in Iceland?
Yes. Nova says you set up its eSIM yourself online, before you leave or when you land at Keflavík, and that it activates when you arrive in Iceland.
Does Síminn offer an eSIM?
Yes. Síminn's web shop sells a 10 GB pack valid for 30 days and an unlimited pack valid for 14 days. The eSIM is activated on purchase, and the unlimited pack works only in Iceland.
Does Vodafone Iceland offer an eSIM?
Vodafone Iceland is now part of Sýn, which Apple lists for eSIM. Sýn's English page only shows a prepaid SIM card, so ask Sýn before you plan on an eSIM from them.
Can I get an Iceland eSIM with a phone number?
The SimOptions Iceland plans are data only. The Bouygues Telecom Travel Basic+ plan comes with a French number and covers Iceland. For an Icelandic number, check the Nova or Síminn pages for what their eSIMs include.
Can I use my EU SIM in Iceland without roaming fees?
Iceland is in the EEA, so EU "roam like at home" rules apply. Your operator can still apply fair use limits, so check its terms.
Can I install an Iceland eSIM before I leave?
Yes. Install the SimOptions eSIM on Wi-Fi at home. It activates automatically when you reach Iceland.
How much data do I need for a week in Iceland?
For maps, messages and photos, 5 GB to 10 GB is a common choice for a week. Plan for more if you stream video or share a hotspot.
