Is it worth getting an eSIM for the Faroe Islands?
For almost every traveller, yes. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, but they are not part of the EU, so EU roam-like-at-home rules do not apply here, even for Danish travellers. UK, EU and US visitors all fall into their home networks' expensive "Rest of World" roaming tiers, where charges are far higher than at home. An eSIM avoids those costs entirely and gets you online the moment you land.
The savings are significant. An eSIM plan for the Faroe Islands starts from around $4 (~€3.44) for a 1GB plan, which is typically far cheaper than daily roaming passes or per-megabyte charges from your home network. The islands use the Faroese krona locally, while travel eSIM plans here are priced in USD.
An eSIM also saves you hunting for a local SIM on arrival. With a travel eSIM you skip that and arrive already connected, with your home number still active for calls and texts.
What is an eSIM, and why should you use one in the Faroe Islands?
An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical card, you download an eSIM profile from a provider, which connects you to a mobile network in the Faroe Islands without ever visiting a store. Setup happens through a QR code or app, usually in under five minutes.
Why use an eSIM in the Faroe Islands?
- Online on arrival: connect the moment you land at Vagar Airport.
- Avoid pricey roaming: skip the international roaming charges that apply here, even for EU and Danish travellers.
- No shop, no hassle: no need to find a local SIM or register.
- Keep your home number: your normal SIM stays active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.
Does the Faroe Islands support eSIM?
Yes, the Faroe Islands support eSIM technology for travellers. You can use an eSIM from international providers like Nomad and Saily as soon as you land, and your phone connects automatically to a partner network. The islands' main carrier, Faroese Telecom, runs fast 4G and 5G that travel eSIMs ride.
There is no registration requirement or local store visit for a travel eSIM. As long as your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible (most iPhones from XR and newer, plus recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models), you can install your plan before you fly and activate it on arrival.
Mobile networks in the Faroe Islands: which one matters for your trip?
The Faroe Islands have two mobile networks, and coverage here is genuinely impressive for such a remote place. It is worth knowing who is who.
Faroese Telecom (Foroya Tele) is the market leader, with the widest coverage and 5G now live across all 18 islands, even remote Mykines. Nema (formerly Vodafone, also known as Hey) is the challenger, strong in the capital and the main towns. Both run 4G and 5G, so you get fast data in Torshavn, along the main roads and even in the sub-sea tunnels that link the islands. Only the high mountains and open fjords thin out.
How our two recommended providers map to these networks: Nomad and Saily both connect to the local networks, typically Faroese Telecom for the broadest reach, which gives you reliable 4G and 5G across the islands. Coverage is strong in the towns and along the main routes, and thinner only in the most remote terrain.
Recommended eSIM providers for the Faroe Islands
Nomad: Best for a free trial and the biggest plans
Nomad is a simple, app-based eSIM and a great first choice for the Faroe Islands, especially if you want to test before you pay or need a lot of data. New users can claim a free 1GB trial eSIM, and Nomad offers the widest range here, all the way up to a huge 50GB plan, plus the best price of our two picks on the 20GB plan. Its prices are very close to Saily's across the board.
Why choose Nomad for the Faroe Islands:
- Free 1GB trial eSIM for new users
- The widest range, with plans up to a huge 50GB
- The best price of our two picks on the 20GB plan
- Earn credits on every purchase for use on future trips
- Simple app-based setup with instant activation
Nomad pricing for the Faroe Islands
- 1GB / 7 days: $4.51 (~€3.89)
- 3GB / 30 days: $9.04 (~€7.79)
- 5GB / 30 days: $13.05 (~€11.25)
- 10GB / 30 days: $21.08 (~€18.17)
- 20GB / 30 days: $32.12 (~€27.69)
- 50GB / 30 days: $49.18 (~€42.40)
Saily: Best for value on smaller plans and a secure app
Saily is a newer eSIM from the team behind NordVPN, and it is the better value here on the smaller and mid-sized plans, where it tends to edge out Nomad, especially with the 10% discount code. Its other draw is a clean, modern app with built-in security features, like the option to block ads and malicious sites, which appeal if you value privacy on the road.
Why choose Saily for the Faroe Islands:
- Often a little cheaper than Nomad on the 1GB to 10GB plans
- Made by the team behind NordVPN, a trusted name in security
- Built-in security features such as ad and tracker blocking
- Clean, modern app that is easy to use
- Use code NOMADWISE10 for 10% off your plan
Saily pricing for the Faroe Islands
- 1GB / 7 days: $3.99 (~€3.44)
- 3GB / 30 days: $8.99 (~€7.75)
- 5GB / 30 days: $12.99 (~€11.20)
- 10GB / 30 days: $20.99 (~€18.09)
- 20GB / 30 days: $33.99 (~€29.30)
Both providers are safe, traveller-friendly and easy to use, and their prices are close. Nomad is our top pick overall thanks to its free 1GB trial, its huge 50GB option and the best price on the 20GB plan, so choose Nomad if you want to test first or need a lot of data. Choose Saily if you want the best value on a smaller or mid-sized plan, or a polished, secure app, and use code NOMADWISE10 for 10% off. For more options, see our Faroe Islands eSIM directory to compare additional providers.
eSIM coverage across the Faroe Islands
Coverage in the Faroe Islands is excellent for such a remote archipelago, strong across the towns, the main roads and even the tunnels. Here is how it looks across the places most travellers visit.
Torshavn and Streymoy
The capital, Torshavn, and the main island of Streymoy have fast 4G and 5G everywhere you are likely to go. Your eSIM works well for maps, rides and staying in touch from the moment you arrive.
Vagar and the airport
The airport island of Vagar, home to the Mulafossur waterfall at Gasadalur and the famous Lake Sorvagsvatn, has strong coverage, so your eSIM connects as soon as you land at Vagar Airport.
Klaksvik and the northern islands
The second town, Klaksvik, and the northern islands have good coverage in the towns and along the roads, including through the sub-sea tunnels that connect them.
The mountains, fjords and remote isles
Coverage reaches even remote islands like Mykines, but the high mountains, hiking routes and open fjords can still have weaker signal, so download offline maps before long hikes.
How to choose the right eSIM for the Faroe Islands
Picking the right eSIM for the Faroe Islands comes down to a few simple factors.
Value vs free trial and big data: Saily is usually a little cheaper on the smaller and mid plans, especially with the 10% code. Nomad offers a free 1GB trial to test first, the biggest 50GB plan, and the best price at 20GB.
Data usage: Light users who mainly need maps, messaging and browsing can get by with a 1GB to 3GB plan. Heavier users or remote workers should look at 10GB or more, where Nomad's 20GB and 50GB plans stand out.
Trip length: A short visit only needs a small plan, while a longer road trip or remote-working stay benefits from a larger 30-day plan.
Device compatibility: Most modern smartphones support eSIMs, including iPhone XR and newer, recent Samsung Galaxy models, and Google Pixel 4 and above. Check your settings under "Mobile Network" or "SIM Management" to confirm your device is compatible and unlocked.
How to set up your eSIM in the Faroe Islands
Setting up an eSIM for the Faroe Islands is quick and can be done before your flight. Once installed, your phone connects automatically when you land.
- Confirm your device supports eSIMs: Check your phone settings under "Mobile Network" or "SIM Management" to make sure your device is eSIM-compatible and unlocked.
- Purchase your eSIM: Buy your plan from Nomad or Saily before your trip.
- Install the eSIM: You will receive a QR code by email, or you can install directly through the provider's app. Scan the code or follow the in-app instructions to add the eSIM profile to your phone.
- Activate data roaming: Once installed, enable data roaming for the eSIM line in your phone settings and select your eSIM as the primary mobile data line. Your home SIM can stay active for calls and texts.
- Test your connection: When you land at Vagar Airport, open a browser or maps app to confirm you are online before leaving.
💡 Tip: Before installing a new eSIM, delete any expired profiles and rename the new one (for example "Faroe Islands Trip 2026"). Download offline maps before long hikes, where even good networks can thin out in the mountains.
Final thoughts and recommendations
Whether you are chasing waterfalls on Vagar, watching puffins on Mykines, or driving through the sub-sea tunnels, a reliable eSIM keeps you connected from the moment you land, with no SIM shop to find.
Choose Nomad if you want to test first with a free 1GB trial, need a lot of data, or want the biggest 50GB plan. It is our top pick for the Faroe Islands.
Choose Saily if you want the best value on a smaller or mid-sized plan, or a polished app with built-in security features. Use code NOMADWISE10 for 10% off your plan.
No matter which provider you choose, an eSIM will keep you connected from the moment you land in the Faroe Islands.
