UK eSIM after Brexit: roaming, numbers, Ireland

2026-06-14 · 4 min read · updated 2026-10-09

The UK is the one European destination where roaming works differently in both directions. UK phone plans lost the EU's roaming rules after Brexit, and EU visitors lost them in the UK. Here is what that means for your trip, and which eSIM fits whether you're visiting the UK or leaving it.

Visiting the UK from the EU

EU roam-like-at-home rules cover travel inside the EU and EEA. The UK is no longer part of that, so the rule doesn't protect you there. Some EU carriers still include the UK in their allowance, others charge by the day or by the megabyte. Check your own plan before you assume either way.

If your plan doesn't include the UK, or only includes a small amount, the UK eSIM gives you a fixed allowance for the trip. Keep your home line on for calls and texts, and use the eSIM for data.

Leaving the UK for the EU

Since Brexit, many UK carriers charge again for using your phone in the EU, often as a daily fee. Some plans still include it, and terms differ by plan and change over time. Check yours before a trip to Paris, Spain or Ireland.

If your plan charges, a travel eSIM is the alternative. For a single country, take that country's plan, such as France or Spain. For several, see Europe, EU & UK or one country. Our eSIM vs roaming post sets the two side by side.

Visiting from further away

From the US, Canada, Australia or elsewhere, UK roaming is on your carrier's own terms. Start with the UK eSIM, and read the UK eSIM guide for networks, the plan ladder and a trip-by-usage table.

Need a UK number?

Most of our plans are data only, which is all most visitors need: WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime work over data. The UK is one of the few places where we also have plans with a local number plus minutes and SMS. The UK page shows them alongside the data plans. A local number helps if you are staying a few weeks and need to give one to a landlord, a delivery service or a restaurant booking. For a short visit, data only is usually simpler. To keep your home number reachable on WhatsApp, see keeping your WhatsApp number abroad.

UK, Ireland and the rest of the British Isles

A trip to Belfast often includes Dublin, and many London trips add a few days in Ireland. Ireland is a separate country: a UK plan doesn't cover it. The EU & UK eSIM covers both, and so does the Europe eSIM.

Driving between Northern Ireland and the Republic, the border is open and easy to miss, and your phone can switch networks without you noticing. On a UK plan that can mean a stretch without data on the Irish side. A regional plan avoids it.

Jersey and the Isle of Man have their own pages in our catalog, so don't assume a UK plan covers them. The same caution applies to Guernsey. Check before a trip there.

Which plan, in short

• UK only: UK plan, data only or with a number.
• UK plus Ireland, Paris or anywhere else in the EU: EU & UK.
• UK plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Türkiye: Europe.

How much data for the UK

Our recommender uses 0.2 GB a day for maps and messaging, 0.5 GB for socials and photos, 1.3 GB for streaming or hotspot, then 15% headroom.

• A week in London with plenty of photos: 3.5 GB, about 4 GB with headroom.
• Ten days by train from London to Edinburgh and the Highlands, mostly maps and messaging: 2 GB, about 2.3 GB with headroom.
• Three weeks working from a flat, streaming in the evenings: 27.3 GB, about 31 GB with headroom. Unlimited plans are also on the UK page, with the daily high-speed cap shown on the plan line.

Underground stations and remote glens can both drop signal, so download offline maps and save tickets to your phone.

Set up

Pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card, then install from the link (iPhone) or QR code on the install page while you're at home on Wi-Fi. The plan's days start when your phone first connects in the UK, not when you buy.

See UK plans