Buying a Sim Card in Ireland in 2022 (2023)

FAQs

Can I buy a SIM card in Ireland for my phone? ›

Yes you can! Although there are not many options and no official phone stores at Dublin Airport, there are several places where you can buy a sim card for Ireland.

You can buy an Irish SIM card in the mobile operator stores (Vodafone, Three, Eir, AnPost Mobile & Tesco Mobile) or other retailers (for Lycamobile), including grocery stores, electronic stores & convenience stores. Dublin Airport (DUB) sells SIM cards too.

If your existing phone uses GSM technology, there's a good chance you can purchase a new SIM card for it. You just need to make sure it's “unlocked” first. Some carriers include software that links the SIM card to the phone's serial number. If the two don't match, the phone won't work.

What are the documents required to get a new SIM? Following original documents can be shown as Proof or Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) : Aadhaar, Voter ID & Passport. For eKYC based Jio SIM activation process, Only your biometric finger impression and Aadhaar details is required.

Verify Your New SIM Card

You will need the following to purchase a South African SIM card: valid identification (your passport or National ID card) proof of residence (formal confirmation from hotel, on a letterhead)

Availability. As usual, their SIM card is free. It can be ordered online to be sent to an Irish postal address (hotel addresses are accepted). Or you can buy it in selected retailers: Centra, Spar, Supervalu, MACE, Costcutter, Londis, Gala, Eason.

You will need to show your passport, visa, and passport photo to get a SIM card. Indian SIM cards need to be activated by the provider on their network. This can take anywhere from a few hours up to 48 hours.

Foreign Nationals who register a SIM Card with their Passports or ECOWAS Cards will have the SIM only activated for use for only 30 days. This can only be extended twice more for a period of 30 days each time after re-applying and providing evidence of their extended stay to their Service Provider.

How to buy a Woolworths SIM card, a Coles SIM card or an ALDI SIM card. Unsurprisingly you can buy any of these SIM cards in the corresponding stores. Woolworths SIM cards are available from Woolies, Coles SIM cards from Coles, and ALDI SIM cards from ALDI. Coles and Woolies also sell SIM cards online.

You'll often also find carrier SIM cards available on sites like eBay and Amazon. Yes you can buy a SIM card without buying a plan. It will need to be activated and by the company it is registered to though. Those would be prepaid SIMs.

Is it cheaper to go SIM-only or contract? ›

It could cost less – SIM-only deals tend to be cheaper in the long run compared to contract agreements because you're not paying back the cost of a new smartphone. You can stick with your phone – if you're particularly attached to your phone you could keep it.

Not necessarily. SIM-only plans are generally cheaper than fixed contract plans, but that doesn't necessarily make them better.

Quick steps: Activating a new SIM

You may need valid ID. Use this key to activate the SIM card online. You'll need an internet connection for this (use a computer or your WiFi).

What are the documents required to get a new SIM? Following original documents can be shown as Proof or Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) : Aadhaar, Voter ID & Passport. For eKYC based Jio SIM activation process, Only your biometric finger impression and Aadhaar details is required.

It is an anti-terrorist measure. If you don't have to show your passport at point of purchase, you may well find that you can't actually use your SIM until you have supplied, and had checked, your ID details. Thus having to show your passport at point of purchase may well have significant advantages. 8.

You can buy the Sim Card in any Lidl – the starter packs are near the counters.

Every Lidl store sell those SIM cards? 3. Re: Where to get prepaid data SIM card? Yes, they do.

Apart from the big network providers' own stores, other shops you can walk into and buy a SIM card in London include: Carphone Warehouse. WHSmith newsagents. Boots drugstores.

Do you need an ID to buy a SIM card in Europe? ›

Most European countries require a photo ID or passport when buying a prepaid sim card, however when buying one at supermarkets and gas stations you will need to register online yourself to get the credit stated.

Order a European SIM Card Online. If you like to be organised and want to slip that travel SIM card for Europe into place as soon as you arrive, then ordering a European SIM online for delivery to your home or workplace is a great option.

To open the SIM card slot on most Android phones, place your SIM card ejector tool or pin into the pinhole on your device. With subtle firmness, push into the hole until the SIM card holder is partially ejected. You may need to pull out the rest of the holder manually afterward.

How do I update my line if I used a different registration document other than my ID to procure a sim card? Other forms of identification documents such as military and alien IDs and passports can also be used to update your lines as long as you remember to carry them when you go for registration.

So, if you are traveling from India to any other country, you will have to get a data roaming pack or enable international roaming to get cellular network abroad. Therefore, whenever you are traveling abroad, you need to activate international roaming on your phone by contacting your existing telecom partner.

1. Orange Holiday World. The international sim card with data that covers EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. Yes, with this prepaid travel sim you have data roaming included in 197 countries!

If the phone you're switching to is from the same carrier or it's unlocked, you shouldn't need a new SIM. But if you're switching from one carrier to another, you'll need a SIM card for your new carrier.

Where do I get the best deals on sim only? If you're looking for great SIM only deals, Tesco Mobile is the place to be. We offer a range of contract SIMs and pay as you go, allowing you to choose whichever option suits you best.

But you can expect to spend around 6.50 USD on a SIM card on average globally.

With a pay-as-you-go deal, you simply pay for the data, minutes and texts you use. There's no contract, so you don't need to pay a charge every month – you can choose to top up or leave whenever you like.

Does a SIM-only deal come with a phone number? ›

Data only SIM plans are used for tablets, mobile WiFi devices and occasionally mobiles. They're rarely used for mobile devices as they don't provide a phone number, but some people just want data on their phone to browse, make calls and send messages using data.

A SIM card, or subscriber identity module, is a small card in your cellphone that connects you to the network. Your SIM card contains your phone number, and lets you make phone calls, send text messages, and more.

It's stopping selling 'traditional' pay-as-you-go Sims.

It's also stopping selling its International Sim, which allows you to make UK calls to international mobiles and landlines from 1p/min. Existing customers with a Classic Pay As You Go Sim or International Sim can continue to use it and top up as normal though.

Major Pay As You Go Networks. On most major Pay As You Go networks, you'll normally be able to leave your SIM card unused for up to 6 months or 9 months at a time. As long as you use your SIM card for a chargeable activity during this time, your account will remain open and your Pay As You Go credit will never expire.

You'll not have to worry about network branding, locked network features or network specific apps with a SIM free phone. And even better? An unlocked, SIM free phone has a far greater resale value than a locked network equivalent.

What is a 12-month SIM? In a nutshell, a 12-month SIM contract offers a set allowance of texts, minutes and data for a monthly fee. As we say, they don't include the cost of a new phone, so are a lot cheaper than most standard phone-and-tariff contracts.

A SIM only deal allows customers to take a package of data, calls and texts from a mobile provider without also taking a handset from them. SIM only deals are ideal for: People who have a handset they're happy with.

Whether you're looking for a deal packed with minutes, texts or unlimited data, there's lots of SIM only deals to choose from with Tesco Mobile.

Most transfers will become active within a few hours but the process can take up to 24 hours to complete.

Your new SIM card should come with activation instructions, so just follow those carefully, insert the new SIM card into your new phone and test it out with a call or a text. Then you can start going through the process of transferring over everything else.

Does new SIM need to be activated? ›

Your replacement sim will come activated and set up with your existing number, so all you need to do is insert it into your device.

Only the following methods of payment are accepted: credit card, PayPal, bank transfer.

When you replace your SIM card in your phone, you lose access to any data on the old card. Photos, apps, and other documents that aren't stored on the SIM are not affected by the card switch.

Change SIM card found at the back of the phone

Once the back panel has been removed, you will be able to see the insides of your smartphone. Look for the SIM card here. If you find the SIM card, then go ahead and change your SIM card.

Almost all EU cell phone networks will have a partner service in Ireland and you won't be charged roaming fees for calls, text messages or data usage. If you're travelling from outside the European Union, you should contact your current phone provider to find out more.

Insert the SIM card into the new phone.

If the new phone also has a SIM tray, open it now. If there's a battery cover, remove the cover and locate the SIM slot. The SIM has a small notch at one corner that acts as a guide—this means it will only fit into the tray or slot one way, making it simple to insert properly.

Call your current carrier to ensure your phone is not locked to another carrier, or help to get it unlocked. Purchase a SIM kit from the carrier that's right for you. Follow the SIM kit instructions to activate the phone.

Pay As You Go Roaming charges

Republic of Ireland is a Go Roam in Europe destination which means you can use your data here at no extra cost. If you have an Add-on with a data allowance of 12GB or greater, a fair use limit applies, with use over 12GB subject to a surcharge (see below).

You'll only need a phone that can operate on the frequencies used in Ireland if traveling there (preferably all of the frequencies to have the most optimal experience while in Ireland). Your mobile phone should also be unlocked (SIM-lock-free) to be able to buy and use an Irish SIM card.

Can I use WhatsApp in Ireland? ›

When you are traveling out of the country, you can still use WhatsApp account via mobile data or Wi-Fi. If you use a local SIM card while you are traveling, you can still use WhatsApp with your home number.

Your contacts, messages, apps, wallpaper and pretty much anything else that isn't your phone number will stay on your phone – even if you take the SIM card out. No need to worry about losing your email settings or your entire contact list (we get it, nobody knows anyone's phone number anymore).

SIM Cards Change Your Number

You need to understand that when you replace your SIM card, you'll automatically be getting a new phone number since cell phone numbers are actually associated with the SIM cards and not the individual phones.

Pay-as-you-go SIMS have no commitment and no contract. Top-up your data, text or minutes by top-up card, credit or debit card whenever you want and choose the amount that matches your budget.

All mobile phones use SIM cards but they don't all use the same size ones, so you'll need one that's the right size for your phone. In most cases this will be a nano SIM.

Use your iPhone or iPad to change your region

Tap View Account. You might be asked to sign in. Tap Country/Region. Tap Change Country or Region.

If you buy a phone in the US or Canada ("America") if it is locked to an american carrier you can use it under a roaming plan in Ireland, keeping the original number, but paying roaming rates. You cannot use it with a SIM from a local carrier in Ireland.