If you have recently moved to Ireland or are planning a move in the future, it’s important to do what you can to make sure the settling-in process goes to plan. This includes setting up your phone so you can be contacted by potential employers, landlords, and family and friends back home (and of course, the new friends you’ll make in Ireland!).
Confused about where to begin? Don’t be! This guide covers everything you need to know about the top mobile phone SIM-only deals in Ireland currently, including the most popular providers and top-rated service providers.
What is a SIM-only plan?
If you want value for money and a straightforward setup process, choosing a SIM-only plan over a bill pay plan is the best option! A SIM-only plan means that you purchase a SIM card to insert into your existing phone. This SIM card comes with an allocated amount of data, texts, and call minutes per month for a specific monthly fee.
The top SIM-only deals in Ireland
There are only a small number of mobile networks in Ireland which makes choosing the best mobile phone deal for you pretty simple! Let’s take a look at the top pay-as-you-go and bill-pay SIM-only deals so you can get a better idea of what might be the right one for you.
SIM-only pay-as-you-go deals
Three is one of Ireland’s most popular mobile networks. They offer a range of SIM-only and bill-pay contract deals to suit a variety of needs.
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €20 every 28 days | Unlimited | Free to Three networks | 11GB EU data |
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €30 every 28 days | Unlimited | Unlimited to any network | 17GB EU data, 30 international minutes |
Vodafone is the country’s top mobile provider – over 2 million people across Ireland are
customers! They offer a wide range of SIM-only deals and bill-pay offers plus broadband and TV deals.
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €20 every 28 days | Unlimited | Free to Vodafone network | 10GB EU data |
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €20 every 28 days | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB EU data, 100 international minutes |
SIM-only bill pay deals
Eir offers SIM-only mobile plans, bill-pay options, as well as broadband and TV bundle, offers.
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €14.99 for 12 months, €29.99 after | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 4G, 30GB EU data |
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €19.99 for 12 months, €34.99 after | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 5G, 50GB EU data, 200 international minutes |
Virgin Mobile offers customers a variety of SIM-only mobile phone deals and bill-pay phone plans. Add-ons for international calling and introductory offers are also available.
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €15 every 30 days | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB of 4G |
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €25 every 30 days | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 4G, 13GB EU data |
48 offers just one simple and comprehensive SIM-only mobile phone plan that includes unlimited data, texts, and calls.
| Price p/month | Texts | Calls | Extras |
| €10.99 every 30 days | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100GB 4G, 10GB EU data |
What is the most popular provider in Ireland?
The most popular provider in Ireland at the moment is Vodafone with over 2.4 million customers across Ireland. They are also the second-largest mobile network operator worldwide, so you might already be familiar with the name!
How do I know what deal to choose?
Choosing the right deal for you depends entirely on what you personally need. Some factors to consider when making your choice include:
- Cost
- Call and text allowance
- Data allowance
- International call and text deals
- Roaming allowance
- Network coverage
Do I get a new phone with a SIM-only deal?
A SIM-only deal only includes a new SIM card that you can use with your current phone. This is what makes SIM-only plans cheaper than bill-pay. If you are looking to purchase a new handset too, this will be an extra cost to factor in.
If you were to choose a bill-pay contract instead, you would also be paying for the cost of a new handset.
How do I sign up for a SIM-only deal?
Once you have decided what SIM-only deal is for you, the process couldn’t be easier. Simply find the nearest store of your chosen provider and the staff will be happy to help you get set up with your chosen plan. If you would prefer, you can also do this online on any of the provider’s websites.
How do I unlock my phone?
If you are signed up to a specific provider from your home country, you may need to unlock your phone before inputting your new Irish SIM into your existing phone. Luckily, this should only take a few minutes!
You can choose to use an online unlocking service or your existing phone network will be able to assist you. Whichever option you prefer, it will be important to know these three things about your phone:
- The brand/make
- The model
- The digital IMEI number (you will be able to find this in the settings on most phones)
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