IoT SIM cards for Europe: crossing into Northern Ireland, Britain and the EU
When an Irish device needs more than the Ireland plan, how ThingSIM's Europe plans work, what to know about Northern Ireland, and what to sort out before devices cross a border.
A device that stays in Ireland fits neatly on the Ireland multi-network plan. A device that crosses the border into Northern Ireland, takes the ferry to Britain or works on the continent, such as a tracker on a haulage trailer or a unit installed at a site in another EU country, needs coverage there too. That is what ThingSIM's Europe plans are for.
The Ireland plan and the Europe plan are different
ThingSIM's Ireland multi-network plan roams across the Irish networks (Vodafone, Three and eir) and uses whichever is strongest where the device is, in all 26 counties. It is priced per SIM per month, from €0.99.
Devices that need coverage outside the State use a Europe plan, which roams across the EU for kit that moves between countries. Europe plans come in fixed monthly allowances, priced per active SIM on the plans page; a 20 GB allowance is priced on request. Every plan, Ireland or Europe, works on an eSIM or a physical SIM at the same price.
Northern Ireland is a different case
Northern Ireland is served by the UK mobile networks, and the UK is outside the EU's roam-like-at-home rules. So a device that regularly crosses the border, or is installed in Northern Ireland, needs a plan that covers the UK networks, not the Ireland plan. Tell us where the device goes before you order and we will confirm which plan covers it.
The border also matters for devices that never cross it. A device installed in Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan or Louth can pick up a Northern Ireland network near the border, a long-recognised problem known as inadvertent roaming. Test the signal on site before you roll out in the border counties, and talk to us if a device may end up on a UK network, so we can agree the right plan for it.
What to work out first
A few answers make choosing a Europe plan quick:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which countries? Northern Ireland, Britain, the rest of the EU? | Coverage depends on where the devices go |
| How much of the time outside Ireland? | An Irish device that occasionally crosses differs from one based abroad |
| How much data per device? | The same calculation as for a device at home; see how much data your device needs |
| How many devices? | Up to 25 SIMs per order request; larger fleets are set up with us |
| Does the device need SMS? | SMS is supported, but confirm it is part of the plan you choose |
eSIM or a physical SIM posted from the UK
An eSIM is the simplest choice for a device abroad: it arrives as a QR code in the portal once your order is confirmed, with no postage and no import charges. Physical SIMs are posted from the UK to addresses in Ireland, the rest of the EU and the UK; on arrival in the EU the carrier may charge import VAT, customs duty or a handling fee, which the customer pays. See eSIM or physical SIM for which suits your device.
The device matters as much as the plan
Mobile networks use different frequency bands in different countries. Check that your device's modem supports the bands used in the countries it will work in, as listed in its specification. A device that connects perfectly in Ireland can struggle abroad if it lacks a band the local networks rely on.
Getting started
Pick a Europe plan on the plans page and send an order request: we confirm it by email and set up your SIMs. For a 20 GB allowance, a large fleet or a device that will spend time in Northern Ireland or Britain, talk to us first.
Common questions
Can I order a Europe plan here?
Yes. Every Order button opens an order request with the plan named; we confirm it by email and set up the SIMs. The 20 GB allowance is priced on request.
Will the Ireland plan work when a device crosses into Northern Ireland?
The Ireland multi-network plan is for devices in Ireland. Northern Ireland is on the UK networks, outside EU roam-like-at-home, so a device that crosses the border regularly needs a plan that covers the UK networks. Tell us where it goes and we will confirm which plan covers it.
What about devices in the border counties that never leave the State?
They are on the Ireland plan, but near the border a device can pick up a Northern Ireland network. Test coverage on site first, and talk to us if a device is likely to see UK networks.
Will the Ireland plan work elsewhere in the EU?
The Ireland plan is for devices in Ireland. If devices spend time in other EU countries, choose a Europe plan.
Can physical SIMs be sent to an address outside Ireland?
Yes. Physical SIMs are posted from the UK to addresses in the EU and the UK, and any import charges on arrival are the customer's. eSIMs arrive as a QR code with nothing to post.