Mobile internet

Will my phone work in Ireland?

Learn how your phone will work in Ireland. Plus, explore the options available to get mobile data, from roaming to eSIMs, and money-saving tips.

Yes, your phone will work in Ireland. How much you are charged and what you need to organize before you travel, however, depend on where you are visiting from.

This guide will show you how to use your phone in Ireland, covering quick checks to make and which plans are best for your trip.

Plus, we discuss how a travel eSIM can be your best travel companion, allowing you to avoid hefty roaming fees and vacation with peace of mind.

In this article

Can I use my phone in Ireland?

Yes, your US and UK phones will work in Ireland. However, your options are limited if you have a carrier-locked phone or one that doesn’t support local frequency bands.

Ireland uses 24 frequency bands, including GSM networks, meaning most phones can easily access mobile internet. But checking if your phone is carrier-unlocked will give you more options, like using an eSIM or a local SIM. If it’s carrier-locked, you’ll be restricted to roaming.

Here’s what you should consider based on your local carrier.

Home country	Carriers	Will my phone work in Ireland?
USA	T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon	Yes, but check if your phone is carrier-unlocked or you’ll be limited to international roaming.
UK	Vodafone UK, O2, Three, EE	Yes, all phones sold in the UK after 2021 are carrier-unlocked.

How to use your cell phone in Ireland

Using your cell phone in Ireland is possible, and you have four different options to get mobile internet during your trip.

Let’s explore your different options to stay connected in Ireland and how they work.

eSIM for Ireland

Having an eSIM-compatible phone means you can use an eSIM to get mobile internet in Ireland faster and easier.

The best option is to use the Holafly eSIM for Ireland. You’ll get unlimited mobile data for 1 to 90 days, and depending on your trip length, pricing can be as low as $1.55/day.

Plus, you get up to 500 MB of hotspot data per day, 24/7 customer support, 5G data speeds, and you can activate your eSIM within minutes.

Roaming in Ireland

Roaming in Ireland will vary based on where you’re traveling from.

Despite Ireland being in the EU, roaming is typically free of charge for UK visitors. Vodafone UK, O2, EE, and Three all include Ireland as a roaming-free destination, as long as roaming is included in your monthly or pay-as-you-go plan. This means you can access your home allowance at no extra cost.

For US users, data roaming is free only on selected plans. For example, with T-Mobile, you get up to 15 GB of high-speed data and unlimited data at 256 kbps as part of Experience Beyond and Experience More plans.

If you’re not on an eligible roaming-free plan, data bundles with up to 30 days and 15 GB of mobile data are available. These bundles range from $5 to $50.

For Verizon and AT&T, you can rely on their international roaming pass, which costs $12 per day and includes unlimited data, phone calls, and texts.

Physical Irish SIM card

If you have a SIM-only phone, you can use an Ireland SIM card from Eir, Three, or Vodafone.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each carrier offers with their local SIM cards:

Eir Ireland: Offers tourists two prepaid SIM card plans. Prices range from €10 (~$11) to €20 (~$21).
Three Ireland: Offers three prepaid SIM card plans, Super Surfer, Total Talker, and Connect Complete, which work for up to 38 days. Pricing ranges from €20 (~$21) to €30 (~$31).
Vodafone Ireland: Offers different prepaid plans ranging from €20 (~$21) to €30 (~$31).

Pocket WiFi for Ireland

Traveling to Ireland in a large group? Or need super high-performing internet for remote work? A pocket WiFi device is a popular choice.

Plans range from $7 to $15.95 to $15 per day with Travel WiFi, while Hippocket WiFi charges €6.95 to €8.95 (~$8.10 to $10.43) per day.

Both companies offer limited and unlimited data plans, and you have to include delivery fees and any additional add-ons you include, like portable charges.

But there’s a cheaper alternative: the Holafly Plans eSIM subscription.

For $64.90/month, you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, up to 5G data speeds, 24/7 customer support, a European phone number, and coverage in over 170 destinations.

That’s global coverage and peace of mind as you travel, all for less than the price of a coffee a day.

Will your phone work in Ireland? The verdict

Your phone will work in Ireland, but you need to choose which option is best to save money and get a reliable internet connection.

For UK visitors, getting online isn’t an issue – most carriers even include roaming in Ireland for free on their plans – but US travelers have to think twice about which option is best.

With an eSIM for Ireland, you can forget about SIM swapping or high roaming charges. Plus, you get 5G data, up to unlimited hotspot data, and unlimited data starting at 1 day.

Traveling somewhere else in Europe? Find out how your phone works there:

FAQs

Can I use my phone normally in Ireland?

Yes. However, carrier-locked phones are limited to data roaming, while carrier-unlocked phones have access to more options.

Will I be charged to use my phone in Ireland?

US travelers using roaming in Ireland will be charged up to $12/day, while UK travelers can often use their home data allowance for free.

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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