You’ve seen the ads promising unlimited data for less than a takeaway coffee. But dig a little deeper, and the fine print often tells a different story. In Ireland, several mobile networks offer plans labelled “unlimited,” yet almost all throttle your speed after a certain usage threshold. This guide cuts through the marketing to show you exactly which unlimited data mobile plans in Ireland are genuinely worth your money and where the catches are hidden.
Number of unlimited data plans in Ireland: 5+ (Three, Virgin Media, Vodafone, GoMo, eir) ·
Cheapest unlimited plan (ongoing): €15/month (Virgin Media) ·
Average monthly cost (after promos): €15–€28 ·
Typical data cap before throttling: 80–120GB
Quick snapshot
- Multiple unlimited data plans available from Three, Virgin Media, Vodafone (Go Unlimited), GoMo, and eir (Three Ireland; Virgin Media Ireland; Switcher.ie comparison site)
- Exact throttling thresholds can change without notice (Virgin Media Acceptable Usage Policy)
- Whether tethering is included at full speed on all plans remains uncertain (Switcher.ie notes)
- Virgin Media’s €15 unlimited offer ends 27 May 2026 (Virgin Media Ireland offer page)
- Three’s SIM Core plan will increase from €20 to €22.50 from April 2026 (Three Ireland price schedule)
- Annual price increases look set to become more common (Three’s predetermined hikes) (Three Ireland)
- More providers may introduce tiered “unlimited” plans with explicit caps (Switcher.ie observation)
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of providers with unlimited plans | 5+ – Three, Virgin Media, Vodafone, GoMo, eir (Switcher.ie) |
| Price range (monthly) | €14 (promo) to €28 (ongoing) (Three; Virgin Media) |
| Cheapest plan (ongoing) | Virgin Media – €15/month (12-month contract) (Virgin Media Ireland) |
| Most expensive | Three SIM Freedom 24M – €28/month after promo (Three Ireland) |
| Typical fair usage cap | 80–120GB (Switcher.ie) |
| 5G availability | Yes on Three, Virgin Media, Vodafone Go Unlimited (Three; Virgin Media) |
Is there a mobile plan with unlimited data?
- Yes, several Irish networks offer plans labelled “unlimited” — but most come with a fair usage policy that slows your speed after a certain limit (Three Ireland; Virgin Media Ireland).
- These plans typically include unlimited national calls and texts, plus a chunk of EU roaming data (Switcher.ie).
- Three’s SIM Freedom 24m plan offers “All You Can Eat 5G data” (Three Ireland).
Virtually every major network in Ireland now has an unlimited data tier. The catch is that “unlimited” is defined differently by each operator. Three, Virgin Media, Vodafone (via its Go Unlimited prepay), GoMo, and eir all have plans that claim unlimited data, but with usage thresholds that, once passed, slow your connection. Settle.ie, a newcomer guide, confirms that genuinely unlimited data plans are available in Ireland (Settle.ie guide).
You get unlimited data in name, but the speed after hitting the cap can make streaming and tethering nearly impossible. The generous fair-use caps — usually 80–120GB — suit most users, but heavy streamers will feel the throttle.
What this means: For everyday use, these plans work fine. But if you’re a heavy user, you need to check the exact throttling policy of each provider.
Which network has an unlimited data plan?
- Three Ireland: SIM Freedom 24m (€14/month for 6 months, then €28) and SIM Core (€20/month, increasing to €22.50 from April 2026) (Three Ireland)
- Virgin Media Ireland: SIM-only unlimited at €15/month (12-month contract, offer ends 27 May 2026) (Virgin Media Ireland)
- Vodafone (via Go Unlimited prepay): €15/month prepay, 100GB fair usage, no contract (Switcher.ie – Vodafone network)
- GoMo (Go More Plan): €14.99/month, 120GB fair usage, 45,000 minutes & 10,000 texts (Switcher.ie – GoMo)
- eir: SIM-only discount for broadband customers at €9.99/month for 12 months (Switcher.ie – eir)
- 48 (powered by Three) offers an unlimited SIM-only plan, according to Money Jar money advice blog.
Each plan has different contract lengths and fair-use limits. Three’s network covers the most areas with 5G, while Virgin Media and GoMo use their own networks. Vodafone’s Go Unlimited is a prepaid option with no long-term commitment.
Which SIM card is best in Ireland?
- For heavy data users: Three’s SIM Freedom offers true unlimited with 60GB EU roaming (Three Ireland).
- For budget: Virgin Media’s €15/month unlimited plan is hard to beat if you can commit to a year (Virgin Media Ireland).
- For no contract: Vodafone’s Go Unlimited prepay gives flexibility but has a 100GB fair usage cap (Switcher.ie – Vodafone prepay).
- For EU roamers: Look for plans with higher roaming data allowances – Three leads with 60GB (Three Ireland).
The “best” card depends on your usage pattern. If you never leave Ireland, any plan works. If you travel frequently, EU roaming limits become a deciding factor.
What is the cheapest SIM only plan in Ireland?
- Virgin Media’s SIM-only unlimited plan at €15/month (12-month contract) is the cheapest ongoing unlimited plan from a major network (Virgin Media Ireland).
- GoMo’s Go More Plan is €14.99/month but has a 120GB fair usage cap (Switcher.ie – GoMo).
- Three’s SIM Core is €20/month (increasing to €22.50) – more expensive but with higher EU roaming (Three Ireland).
- eir offers a discounted SIM-only for broadband customers at €9.99/month for 12 months (Switcher.ie – eir).
The cheapest SIM-only plan overall is eir’s €9.99 offer, but that requires eir broadband. For standalone unlimited, Virgin Media’s €15 plan is the most affordable.
Is Sky Mobile € 15 for life?
Sky Mobile also offers an unlimited plan at €15 per month on a 12-month contract. The “for life” claim is not guaranteed in the published terms; prices can change after the minimum period. As of this writing, Sky’s offer was not independently verified with detailed fair usage data.
How do you get unlimited mobile data?
- Choose a provider and plan: Compare the options above based on price, fair usage, and roaming.
- Select SIM-only (no phone) or contract (with device). Most unlimited plans are SIM-only.
- Order online or in-store: Plans are available directly from networks or comparison sites like Switcher.ie.
- Check network coverage: Use network coverage maps (e.g., Three’s coverage checker) before buying.
- Activate your SIM and manage usage: Monitor your data usage through the network’s app to stay under fair usage caps.
Most unlimited plans are 30-day rolling or 12-month contracts. Prepay options like Vodafone’s Go Unlimited offer flexibility. Always read the fair usage policy before committing.
The implication: Getting unlimited data is easy; choosing the right one requires reading the small print.
Is unlimited 4G really unlimited?
- No, “unlimited” plans in Ireland have fair usage policies that throttle speed after a certain data threshold (Three Ireland fair usage; Virgin Media Acceptable Usage Policy).
- Three’s SIM Freedom plan: no stated cap, but may throttle during peak times (Three Ireland).
- Virgin Media: Acceptable Usage Policy applies, speed may reduce after heavy usage (Virgin Media Ireland).
- GoMo: fair usage limit of 120GB (Switcher.ie – GoMo).
- Vodafone Go Unlimited: 100GB cap then slower speeds (Switcher.ie – Vodafone).
In practice, you get high-speed data up to a cap, then reduced speed that may be enough for messaging but not streaming in HD.
Is Vodafone unlimited data really unlimited?
Vodafone’s Go Unlimited prepay has a 100GB fair usage limit. After that, speeds are reduced significantly, so it is not truly unlimited at full speed. The same applies to their postpaid plans, which also have a 100GB threshold (Switcher.ie).
Can my unlimited data run out?
Your data does not run out completely. After hitting the fair usage cap, your speed is reduced to a lower rate (typically 1–2 Mbps). You can still browse the web and use messaging apps, but streaming and large downloads become very slow (Virgin Media Ireland policy).
The catch: The term “unlimited” is misleading. You get a large data bucket, not a bottomless one. For most users, the speed reduction after the cap is acceptable for browsing but not for streaming in HD.
Is unlimited data worth it?
- For heavy users who stream, game, and tether frequently: yes, as capped plans would cost more per GB.
- For light users: no, a 10–20GB plan may be cheaper (e.g., €10 for 10GB).
- Consider tethering limits: some plans restrict tethering or throttle it.
- Compare total cost: unlimited from €15 vs capped plans from €10. The break-even is around 20–30GB usage per month.
If you regularly use more than 30GB a month, unlimited starts to make financial sense. Below that, a capped plan saves money. Also, factor in whether your unlimited plan includes adequate EU roaming and tethering for your needs.
Why this matters: The decision comes down to your data habits. Heavy users should look for plans with high fair usage caps and 5G speeds. Light users are better off with a cheaper capped plan.
Five unlimited plans, one pattern: each offers unlimited data but with different caps and contract terms.
| Plan | Monthly price | Fair usage cap | EU roaming | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three SIM Freedom 24m | €14 for 6mo, then €28 (Three) | Unspecified, fair use applies (Three) | 60GB (Three) | 24-month |
| Virgin Media SIM-only | €15 (Virgin Media) | Acceptable Usage Policy (Virgin Media) | 37GB (Virgin Media) | 12-month |
| Vodafone Go Unlimited (prepay) | €15 (Switcher) | 100GB (Switcher) | Not specified | No contract |
| GoMo Go More | €14.99 (Switcher) | 120GB (Switcher) | Not specified | 30-day rolling |
The cheapest plan isn’t always the best value. Virgin Media’s €15 deal is great if you roam lightly, but Three’s 60GB EU roaming is a big advantage for frequent travellers.
The specifications of each unlimited plan reveal how much the “unlimited” claim is worth.
| Specifications | Three SIM Freedom 24m | Virgin Media SIM-only | Vodafone Go Unlimited | GoMo Go More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network | Three (Three) | Virgin Media (Virgin Media) | Vodafone (Switcher) | eir network (Switcher) |
| 5G | Yes (Three) | Yes (Virgin Media) | Yes (via prepay) (Switcher) | Not specified |
| Speed after cap | Reduced (Three) | Reduced (Virgin Media) | Reduced (Switcher) | Reduced (Switcher) |
| EU roaming included | 60GB (Three) | 37GB (Virgin Media) | Not specified | Not specified |
| Tethering | Included (Three) | Included (Virgin Media) | Likely included, subject to cap | Likely included |
| International calls | Unlimited national (Three) | Unlimited national (Virgin Media) | Unlimited national (Switcher) | 45,000 mins limit (Switcher) |
Upsides
- Unlimited data at affordable prices (€15–€20)
- 5G available on most plans
- EU roaming included (up to 60GB)
- No contract options exist (Vodafone prepay)
Downsides
- Throttling after fair usage cap reduces speeds
- Promotional prices often increase after 6–12 months
- Tethering limits not always disclosed
- Some plans require broadband subscriptions (eir)
“All You Can Eat 5G data” and unlimited minutes and texts.
— Three Ireland (Three Ireland SIM Freedom page)
“Unlimited data, calls and texts for €15 a month on a 12-month contract.”
— Virgin Media Ireland (Virgin Media SIM-only page)
“The Go Unlimited prepay plan includes unlimited data, unlimited texts and minutes, with a fair usage policy of 100GB.”
— Switcher.ie (Switcher.ie comparison)
The narrative that unlimited data plans in Ireland are truly unlimited is a half‑truth. Every plan reviewed here has a fair‑use cap that, once crossed, reduces speed to a trickle. For the typical smartphone user who uses under 100GB a month, these plans offer great value — especially Virgin Media’s €15 offer or GoMo’s €14.99 plan. But for power users who tether heavily or stream in 4K daily, only Three’s SIM Freedom plan comes close to meeting those needs, though at a higher long‑term cost. The trade‑off is clear: you pay for the word “unlimited” with either money or speed. For Irish consumers, the smartest move is to match your actual data usage to the plan’s fair‑use cap — not the label.
For a deeper breakdown of how these providers stack up, see this comparison of Irelands best unlimited deals that includes fair usage caps and 5G speed details.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair usage policy on unlimited data plans?
A fair usage policy sets a data threshold (e.g., 100GB) after which your speed may be reduced. All Irish unlimited plans have such policies (Switcher.ie).
Can I use unlimited data from an Irish plan while roaming in the EU?
Yes, but with a roaming data cap. Three offers 60GB EU roaming, Virgin Media 37GB. Exceeding the cap may incur charges (Three Ireland; Virgin Media Ireland).
Does unlimited data include tethering (mobile hotspot)?
Most plans allow tethering, but the data used still counts toward your fair usage cap. After the cap, tethering speeds are also reduced (Three Ireland).
What happens if I exceed the fair usage data cap?
Your data speed is reduced — usually to around 1–2 Mbps — enough for messaging and basic web browsing, but too slow for HD video streaming (Virgin Media Ireland Acceptable Usage Policy).
Is there a contract required for unlimited data plans?
Some plans require a contract: Virgin Media 12-month, Three 24-month. Others like Vodafone Go Unlimited are prepay with no contract (Switcher.ie).
Which unlimited data plan offers the best 5G speed?
Three’s network has the most extensive 5G coverage in Ireland and offers the highest speeds. Virgin Media and Vodafone also provide 5G on their unlimited plans (Three Ireland; Switcher.ie).
Ethan Fraser is Senior Reporter at Oz Briefly, covering breaking stories and explainers.