Who offers eSIM on the plans we list
As of August 2026. eSIM is a convenience feature. Coverage still follows the host radio. Price still decides the better SIM.
| Retailer | eSIM | Host radio | Lead plan from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | Plastic SIM | Three network | €12.99 |
| Clear Mobile | Plastic SIM | Vodafone network | €12.99 |
| GoMo | Yes | Eir network | €12.99 |
| Sky Mobile | Yes | Vodafone network | €12.99 |
| Virgin Media | Plastic SIM | Three network | €15 |
| Vodafone | Yes | Vodafone network | €15 |
| Tesco Mobile | Plastic SIM | Three network | €15 |
| Three | Yes | Three network | €20 |
| Lycamobile | Yes | Eir network | €12.99 |
| Eir Mobile | Yes | Eir network | €14.99 |
| An Post Mobile | Plastic SIM | Vodafone network | €18 |
eSIM on this list: GoMo, Sky Mobile, Vodafone, Three, Lycamobile, Eir Mobile. If you want cheap unlimited and eSIM, that is GoMo on Eir radio. Sky is eSIM at €10 / €12.99 with a 12-month term on Vodafone radio. Lycamobile is eSIM on 28-day prepay, Eir radio. Vodafone, Three and Eir all issue eSIM on their own plans, at their own prices. 48 and Clear still post a plastic SIM.
Providers still on plastic SIM
These retailers are plastic-SIM only on the plans we list: 48, Clear Mobile, Virgin Media, Tesco Mobile, An Post Mobile.
48 promotes HelloGlobe for travel outside the EU and UK. That is a separate travel eSIM, not an eSIM of your 48 Irish number.
That can change, so check the live checkout before you order.
How you actually activate
GoMo. App only, Eir radio, eSIM on the plan we list. You join in the app, not a shop queue. Support is the app too. Cheap unlimited at €12.99 if Eir works indoors.
Lycamobile. eSIM on Eir radio. Checkout issues the eSIM. Typical flow is a QR in the app or email. Confirm on their order page. Buy it for country minutes, not as Irish unlimited.
Sky Mobile. eSIM on the 10 GB and Unlimited SIMs we list. 12-month term, Vodafone radio. Follow Sky checkout. Piggybank is the reason to be here, not a fourth network.
Vodafone, Three, Eir. The three mast owners all issue eSIM now: Vodafone on bill pay and port-in prepay, Three on Core, Freedom and Super Surfer, Eir on SIM-only through the eir app. You pay the mothership rate for it.
48, Clear, Tesco, Virgin, An Post. Plastic SIM on the plans we list. 48 arrives in the post. Dual-SIM phones can keep that 48 card in the tray and run GoMo, Lycamobile or Sky as the eSIM. Two radios, two bills. Port only one number unless you mean to move both.
eSIM does not change which mast you hear. Host map: MVNO explained.
Who should choose eSIM first
- People who switch often and do not want to wait for a card in the post.
- Travelers who keep a home number beside a local SIM.
- Anyone who would rather skip the SIM tray.
eSIM is a convenience feature, not a coverage guarantee. Host network and price still decide the better plan.
Switching to eSIM without losing your number
Pick the new eSIM provider, ask to keep your number, and follow their activation flow. In a normal Irish switch, the new provider ports the number once the account details match. Do not cancel the old SIM until the eSIM shows signal.
Need the full process? Read how to switch mobile.
