Which companies offer eSIM in Ireland? Apple lists four for iPhone: Three, Vodafone, Eir and Sky. Vodafone and Three also have prepay options that fit a short stay. If you live in Ireland, or need an Irish number, one of them is a good fit. If you're only visiting, a travel eSIM is usually simpler: you buy it online, install it before you fly and it connects when you land. This guide covers what each carrier says about eSIM, and when a travel eSIM makes more sense.
Just visiting? These Ireland eSIMs are data only, so you keep your home number for calls and texts. Pick a week, two weeks, or two weeks with a French phone number that also works in Northern Ireland.
Ireland 10GB (7 days) · Ireland 20GB (15 days) · Travel Basic+ (French +33 number, Europe and UK) · See all Ireland eSIMs · All destinations
eSIM providers in Ireland at a glance
Apple's list of carriers that support eSIM on iPhone shows these for Ireland (Apple: carriers that offer eSIM service on iPhone):
- Three: carrier activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, QR code or app, and prepaid for international travelers.
- Vodafone: carrier activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, QR code or app, and prepaid for international travelers.
- Eir: carrier activation and QR code or app. Apple doesn't list Quick Transfer or a prepaid plan for travelers.
- Sky: carrier activation, eSIM Quick Transfer and QR code or app. No prepaid plan for travelers.
- Travel eSIMs: sold online by providers like SimOptions. Data only (or with a French number on some plans), no Irish sign-up, ready before you leave.
Brands such as 48, Tesco Mobile and GoMo aren't on Apple's list for Ireland. Ask them directly if you want one of those. Want a pick by trip length instead? See our guide to the best eSIM for Ireland.
Three Ireland eSIM
Three has a prepay offer for visitors. According to Three's Visit Ireland page:
- Visit Ireland 5GB: 5 GB of Ireland and EU data and 50 minutes, valid for 7 days after a single top-up of at least 15 euros.
- Visit Ireland 25GB: 25 GB of Ireland and EU data, 250 minutes and texts, and 50 international minutes, valid for 28 days after a single top-up of at least 25 euros.
- eSIM: both plans come as an eSIM if your phone supports it. You can activate online or in the My3 app. On compatible phones activation can happen automatically during setup, otherwise Three emails you a QR code.
- Irish number: the Three eSIM comes with a new Irish number, and you can keep your home SIM on the phone next to it.
- Where it works: Three says the data and minutes are for use in the Republic of Ireland.
Plans, top-up amounts and limits change, so check them on Three's site before you buy.
Vodafone Ireland eSIM
Vodafone Ireland offers eSIM on both its Pay as you go and Bill pay plans. According to Vodafone's eSIM page:
- New customers: log in to My Vodafone (app or website), open My SIM and get a QR code and a confirmation code. Scan the QR code in your phone's settings, enter the code, then go back to My SIM and activate the eSIM.
- Existing customers: ask for a SIM swap through Live Chat, then follow the same QR code steps.
- Before you start: connect your phone to Wi-Fi.
- New phone: Apple Quick Transfer (iOS 18.2 or later) and Android eSIM Transfer can move your eSIM to another phone.
Apple lists Vodafone for prepaid eSIM for international travelers. Vodafone's own eSIM page doesn't mention visitors, so check on Vodafone's site or in a store whether you can get a prepay eSIM before you travel.
Eir eSIM
Eir supports eSIM activation by QR code or by your phone's EID. According to eir's eSIM activation help:
- QR code: sign in to the eir app on another device, choose the option to activate an eSIM and scan the code with your phone.
- EID: enter your phone's EID when you order a SIM-only plan and eir sends the eSIM profile to your phone.
- Unlocked phone: for SIM-only plans, your phone must be unlocked.
Eir's eSIM help is aimed at customers on its plans. It's a good fit if you live in Ireland, less so for a one-week holiday.
Sky Mobile Ireland eSIM
Sky Mobile Ireland offers an eSIM option when you order a plan. According to Sky's Irish mobile plans page, you choose eSIM or plastic SIM at checkout, and the plans shown there have a 12-month minimum term. That suits people who live in Ireland, not short visits.
Roaming in Ireland with a SIM from home
If your phone plan is from another EU country, you generally pay your domestic rates in the Republic of Ireland. Your operator can apply fair use limits on data (Your Europe: roaming in the EU). Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so those rules don't cover it.
If your SIM comes from the UK, the US, Canada, Australia or elsewhere, your own operator sets the prices. That's where a travel eSIM helps. More in our guide to roaming settings for an eSIM. Heading to Portugal next? See our guide to eSIM providers in Portugal.
Ireland travel eSIM: data without a local sign-up
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 arrive. According to the plan details on our Ireland eSIM page:
- Ireland plans: from 1 GB up to 100 GB. Data only, 5G, and you can top them up. They cover the Republic of Ireland only.
- Europe plans: the Bouygues Telecom plans cover 46 countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom. Travel Basic+ and My European eSIM come with a French +33 number and unlimited calls and SMS within Europe. They can't be topped up.
- No local paperwork: you don't need an Irish address, a store visit or an Irish top-up.
Going on to Belfast or the Giant's Causeway? Choose a plan that lists the United Kingdom too, as explained in our best eSIM for Ireland guide, or see our eSIM providers in the UK and the Europe eSIMs.
Data only means no phone number. You can still call and text with apps. See how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM, or Europe eSIMs with a phone number if you need one.
Local eSIM or travel eSIM: which one is right for you?
A Three, Vodafone, Eir or Sky eSIM fits if
- You live in Ireland or stay for several months.
- You need an Irish number, for example for local services.
- You're happy to go through the carrier's sign-up and your phone works with it.
A travel eSIM fits if
- You're on a short trip and want data the moment you land.
- You'd rather skip the local sign-up and the store.
- You want to keep your home number active at the same time. See how to set up a dual eSIM.
How to set up an Ireland eSIM
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. See our guide to checking eSIM compatibility.
- Buy your plan and wait for the QR code by email.
- Install it on Wi-Fi. On iPhone, open the Camera app, scan the QR code and tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Step by step for iPhone and Android: how to install an eSIM.
- Label the line "Ireland" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
- When you land, make the eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Not connecting? Go through our eSIM activation fixes. Not sure how coverage looks on your route? ComReg, Ireland's telecoms regulator, has an outdoor mobile coverage map.
FAQs
Which eSIM providers are there in Ireland?
Apple lists Three, Vodafone, Eir and Sky for eSIM on iPhone in Ireland. Travel eSIMs from providers like SimOptions are another option for visitors.
Does Vodafone Ireland support eSIM?
Yes. Vodafone says you can join with an eSIM on its Pay as you go and Bill pay plans, set up through My Vodafone with a QR code.
Does Three Ireland have an eSIM for visitors?
Yes. Three's Visit Ireland prepay plans are offered as an eSIM on supported phones, and come with an Irish number.
Does Eir support eSIM?
Yes. Eir activates eSIM by QR code from the eir app, or by your phone's EID on a SIM-only plan. Your phone must be unlocked.
Is eSIM available in Ireland for tourists?
Yes. Three and Vodafone are listed by Apple for prepaid eSIM for international travelers, and travel eSIMs like the SimOptions Ireland plans are data only and ready before you fly.
Do I get an Irish phone number with a travel eSIM?
No. The SimOptions Ireland plans are data only. Travel Basic+ and My European eSIM give you a French +33 number with calls and SMS within Europe.
Does an Ireland eSIM work in Northern Ireland?
Not if it only covers Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so pick a plan that lists the United Kingdom too, like Travel Basic+ or a Europe plan.
Can I use my EU SIM in Ireland without roaming fees?
Generally yes in the Republic of Ireland, but your operator can apply fair use limits. Check its terms.
