The best UK SIM card for internationals

There're so many UK mobile networks and SIM card plans to choose from. In this guide, we'll help you narrow down the selection to find your perfect SIM plan.

Ellie

4 minute read

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18 Jul 2024

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Living

Once you arrive to your new life in the UK, you’ll quickly realise the value of getting a UK SIM card and phone number. A local SIM card will ensure you avoid paying crazy high rates for your phone calls and data usage.

With so many UK mobile networks, figuring out which phone plan works best for your needs can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll talk about:

• Why you should get a UK SIM card
• The best UK mobile networks
• Tips for choosing the best UK mobile network and SIM card plan
• How to get a UK SIM card

Regardless of where you’re moving from, once you reach the UK, one of the first things you’ll want to arrange is getting a SIM card sorted. Having a UK SIM will ensure you don’t pay incredibly high roaming charges and won’t need to be dependent on Wi-Fi to use the internet. Even if you don’t plan to stay for too long, getting a Pay as you go (PAYG) or prepaid SIM card will save you a lot of money on roaming charges.

You may also find that having a UK number is required to set up certain accounts and subscriptions. Even when it’s not required, using an international number is not ideal when setting up some administrative things such as your work or rental contracts or healthcare registration. As an expat tip, having a local number will make life easier for you and the administrator who needs to call you!

There’re several major mobile networks in the UK, so knowing which one to choose can be tricky. With so many networks to choose from, you’ll always be able to find a bargain with at least one. We’ll outline the 4 best UK mobile networks for expats to simplify your choice.

1. O2: The network with the most users

O2 is the most popular mobile network in the UK. It has excellent coverage across the UK and 5G coverage throughout most of the UK. O2 has PAYG plans starting from £10 to £30 per month. O2 also has monthly bill plans that cost £17 to £29 per month.

Some additional benefits of choosing O2 include:

• Excellent roaming deals if you opt for monthly bills so you can save on your vacations
• Some plans include free subscriptions to websites like Disney+ and Amazon Prime
• A discount on broadband if you choose their partner brand, Virgin Media

2. EE: The network with the best internet speeds

EE is a particularly popular choice among expats who use a lot of data, whether for work or personal use. If you’re going to be commuting a lot or using your phone as a hotspot to work, you’ll want a strong internet connection with your mobile network. EE has excellent phone coverage across the entire UK, even in rural areas. They’ve got 5G coverage in most major cities and urban areas. EE has PAYG plans from £10 to £35 per month and monthly bill plans from £16 to £47 per month.

Similarly to O2, EE offers free or discounted subscriptions to websites like Netflix and Apple Music. They also have broadband plans, so you might be able to get a deal on your broadband and mobile.

3. Three: The reliable roaming network

Three is a popular network in both the UK and Ireland. Some users even keep their Three SIM cards when they move to another European country because it’s cheaper than local SIMs. Three has excellent 4G and 5G coverage across most of the UK. They offer roaming in over 71 locations, and if you choose your plan carefully, you can roam free of charge.

Three offers quite a broad range of PAYG and monthly bill plans to cater to a range of needs. For example, if you only plan to live in the UK for 3 months, you can pay £90 one time and get unlimited data, texts, minutes and roaming for the entire time you’re there. Otherwise, their PAYG plans cost £10 to £35 per month. If you prefer a monthly bill plan, they’ll cost between £11 and £38 per month.

4. Vodafone: The whole package network

Vodafone is one of the biggest mobile networks across the UK and the rest of Europe. As you can guess, roaming with Vodafone is a breeze, and they’ve excellent coverage across the UK for 4G and 5G. Vodafone offers excellent broadband and mobile deals so you can get all your internet needs catered to in one spot. For PAYG plans, you should expect to pay between £10 to £40 per month. For monthly bill plans, you’ll pay £24 to £53 per month.

Similarly to other networks, Vodafone offers free or discounted subscriptions to websites like Spotify Premium, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

When all the uK mobile networks have so many advantages, it's hard to decide on just one that works for you. Some factors that are worth considering are:

• Coverage: While most networks claim to have excellent coverage across the UK, it’s a good idea to check the coverage map for your desired network before committing. Some urban areas might even have poor coverage for certain networks, so check the map before you buy your SIM.

• Data: Each person will have entirely different needs when it comes to their SIM card plan. Check your current data usage to get an idea of how much data you use per month.

• Your priorities: Will you make many international or local calls? Are unlimited calls and texts more valuable than data to you? Decide what matters most when choosing your plan to narrow down what you search for.

• PAYG or bill pay: Each type of UK SIM card has its benefits, so deciding which works best for you is crucial. PAYG SIMs are great if you don’t want to commit to a 12 or 24-month contract. However, they often have less attractive deals per month. Monthly plans offer great discounts on your data and minutes, but they require you to lock into that plan for 12 months as a minimum.

Once you’ve decided on a mobile network and a plan, getting your SIM card is easy. You can go online or in-store, and you’ll just need to provide:

• A valid form of identification
• Proof of your UK address (this can be a rental contract or utility bill)
• Your UK bank account for payment
• Some networks may run a credit check if you’re choosing a monthly plan

That’s pretty much everything you need to know about UK SIM cards to help you make an informed decision! It's time to get the ball rolling and get yourself a UK number so you can settle into your new British lifestyle.