SIM-only plans in Ireland, side by side

What is the cheapest unlimited SIM-only plan for a year?

On first-year cost, 48's Unlimited 5G at €147.87, thanks to its introductory price. Lidl Connect, at its official €12.99 a month with no activation fee, costs €155.88. From the second year several plans meet at about €12.99 a month, and roaming data, network and contract decide between them.

Prices checked on 2026-10-10 on each provider’s own page. 28-day plans are charged 13 times a year. First-year cost includes intro prices and activation fees. Lidl Connect is shown at its official price (€12.99); the €8.99 launch price is reported by the press, not in Lidl’s price list.

How should you read this table?

First-year cost is twelve monthly payments, or thirteen for 28-day plans, plus any activation fee, with introductory prices counted for as long as they last. It is what you would actually pay in your first twelve months. "Not stated" means the provider's own pages do not say, not that the answer is no.

• Lidl Connect is shown at €12.99, the only price in 1GLOBAL's price list. The €8.99 launch price was reported by the press for the first 100,000 customers; this table does not assume it.
• Intro prices end: 48 is €9.99 for six plans, eir €14.99 for twelve months, Tesco Mobile €15 for twelve months online, Clear Mobile's first month is free.
• Activation fees are one-off: GoMo, Clear Mobile and Lycamobile €12.99; 48 and eir €9.99; Lidl Connect none.
• Contracts lock you in: Three, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile are 12 months; see leaving a contract early.

Which SIM-only plans use the same network?

Ireland has three networks. On eir: Lidl Connect, GoMo, eir, Lycamobile. On Vodafone: Clear Mobile, An Post Mobile, Vodafone. On Three: 48, Tesco Mobile, Three. Virgin Mobile does not name its network. Plans on the same network share masts, so coverage is the same; price, data limits, roaming and support are what differ.

Which SIM-only plans include eSIM?

eSIM is confirmed on Lidl Connect, GoMo, eir, Vodafone, Three, Lycamobile. Clear Mobile says it offers physical SIM cards only. For 48, Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile, An Post Mobile, we did not find eSIM stated on the provider's own pages, so the table shows "Not stated". If you want eSIM, check with those providers before you order.

Lidl Connect's eSIM is free and installed through the Lidl Plus app; see Lidl Connect eSIM.

Which plan gives the most EU roaming data?

Among these representative plans, Lidl Connect's 50GB is the most, followed by eir Connect and Vodafone pay as you go at 45GB. Some dearer plans give more: Vodafone's Ultra bill pay plan includes 80GB and Three's 30-day Flex plan 60GB. The cheapest rivals, GoMo, Clear Mobile and 48, give 20 to 23GB.

Roaming covers the EU and EEA, and on most plans the UK. Lidl Connect also includes Switzerland, Ukraine and Moldova, and has no roaming anywhere else; see Lidl Connect roaming.