How do I get a UK SIM card or mobile plan?

A UK SIM card or mobile plan helps you stay connected as soon as you arrive, whether you need maps, banking apps, university updates or messages from home.

Where to get a SIM

You can buy UK SIM cards at many airports, supermarkets, convenience stores and mobile phone shops. Popular providers include EE, O2, Three, Giffgaff and VOXI. Availability and offers can change, so it’s worth comparing a few options before you choose.

What type of plan should I choose?

• Pay-as-you-go: a flexible option if you want to top up only when you need to.
• 30-day rolling plan: useful if you want calls, texts and data each month without a long contract.
• Longer contract: may offer better value, but can require a UK address, UK bank account or credit check.

If you have just arrived in the UK, a pay-as-you-go or 30-day plan is often the simplest place to start. You can usually move to a different plan later once you know how much data you use.

Before buying, check whether your phone is unlocked and works with UK networks. You can compare mobile deals at Uswitch or Compare the Market.