Best eSim For Iceland (Easy Internet Access)

Benefits of Getting an eSim in Iceland

Iceland is a remote country and if you’ve made plans to visit it, it makes no sense to stay in one place while you’re there. While Reykjavik might have a decent amount of public WiFi networks, that’s not the case with the more remote parts of the country that you’re bound to visit while you’re there.

That’s why you need to get an eSim to have Internet access throughout your trip. It will come in handy if you’re going to drive to Iceland’s beautiful black beaches or nature parks and explore the mesmerizing nature this country is famous for around the world.

The benefit of getting an eSim as opposed to a physical sim card is that you can purchase one online, from the comfort of your home, before the trip. You don’t have to run around a foreign country looking for a sim provider, plus you don’t even have to think about packing a sim tray ejector, or what to do with your existing sim card while you’re using the foreign one.

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in Iceland

While international providers are a good solution for many people, they’re not a perfect option because none of them offer eSims with phone numbers. You won’t be able to make phone calls or send/receive texts with your Iceland eSim, and if this is important to you, consider one of the local providers instead.

Siminn, Vodafone, and Nova are the three major network operators in Iceland, with Siminn offering the best network coverage. Siminn has a decent prepaid SIM card for tourists for around $20, and it includes a local phone number as well as 10 GB of data.

It’s unclear whether the prepaid plan is available in an eSim version, but it’s worth noting that they state you can only purchase an eSim in a physical store, and not online.

Vodafone also offers two sim packages for tourists – a prepaid sim card with a phone number, or a data-only sim card. It’s worth noting that both provide you with a physical sim card, and it’s unclear whether you have the option of purchasing one of these packages with an eSim.

Nova also offers a prepaid package for locals and visitors in Iceland. While you cannot purchase this package with an eSim online, it’s worth noting that they state that it’s possible to swap out any one of their sim cards for an eSim in their mobile app. So, you could purchase a physical sim and then apply to get it changed to an eSim, but it’s not guaranteed it would work.

Devices Compatible with eSim in Iceland

All the devices that have embedded sim technology will be compatible with eSim in Iceland. This includes all iPhones and Google Pixel phones that were released from 2018 onwards, as well as other flagship Android phones.

It’s worth noting that not all mid-range and budget Androids are eSim compatible, so if you’re not daily driving a flagship, you will need to double-check that your phone is compatible with an eSim.

To do this, dial *#06# and look for an EID number. This is a unique serial number that indicates your mobile device has eSim capability, so if you see an EID number you’re good. If there is no EID number on the list, your smartphone most likely doesn’t support eSims and you’ll need to stick with physical sim cards to have easy Internet access in Iceland.

Data Needed When Traveling to Iceland

How much data you need for your Iceland trip is a very individual thing and depends on how you usually use up mobile data. If you want to have Internet just so you can check maps directions, look up ideas for places to visit, check email, and maybe social media, I think you’ll be fine with one of the limited data packages.

Of course, it depends on the length of your trip, but 3-5 GB should be more than enough for stays up to two weeks. On the other hand, if you’re staying in Iceland longer or you plan to work while you’re in the country, it might be worth it to look into unlimited data plans, especially if they’re more affordable than the mobile data plans with 10-20 GB.

Just be sure to double-check whether the unlimited data plan you’re considering allows for data sharing, especially if you want to work on a device that’s not using the eSim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get an eSim in Iceland?

Yes, you can get an eSim in Iceland. All three top network providers in Iceland offer eSims, but it’s not entirely clear whether these eSims are available with their prepaid packages, or if they are only available to postpaid subscribers.

How can I buy an eSim in Iceland?

To buy an eSim in Iceland, you will either need to purchase one online from an international provider or walk into a physical store of a local network operator. It’s not entirely clear whether local providers offer eSims for tourists, so the former is the safer bet if you want to be certain you’ll have an Iceland eSim.

How do I activate my eSim?

To activate your eSim, just scan the QR code that you received with the purchase of the data plan. If you didn’t receive any QR code, you can go to Settings, (Mobile) Networks, or SIM Manager, and find the option to Add an eSim or Add a Cellular Plan. Then just input the information you received with the eSim, and it will be active the moment you turn on mobile data for the first time.