The Faroe Islands are dizzying cliffs, waterfalls cascading into the sea, and roads through fjords where the map is everything. Precisely for this reason, it's advisable to arrive connected: with an eSIM for the Faroe Islands, you'll have data as soon as you land at Vágar airport, without having to find a store or pay the exorbitant roaming fees of this Danish territory. Here you'll see the real coverage between mountains, local operators, how many GB to bring, and how to activate it in 1 minute.
Does an eSIM work in the Faroe Islands?
Yes, and it works surprisingly well for how remote they are. The Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, boast very modern 4G/5G networks thanks to significant investment in fiber optics and antennas for its 54,000 inhabitants. A travel eSIM connects to these networks automatically with a compatible and unlocked mobile phone.
The important thing: although they are Danish, the Faroes are not part of the EU, so your Spanish plan does NOT have "free" roaming here. That's why a local eSIM is the smart option. You install the plan at home, keep your Spanish number for WhatsApp, and activate data upon arrival. If you're unsure about your device, first check how to tell if your phone is eSIM compatible.
Local operators and coverage between fjords
Two companies operate in the Faroes: Faroese Telecom (Hey) and Vodafone Faroe Islands. Together, they cover the capital Tórshavn, the subsea tunnels connecting the islands, and practically all main roads with 4G and 5G. A travel eSIM automatically selects the best available network without you having to do anything.
The pleasant surprise is that even the famous subsea tunnels between islands (such as Eysturoy or Sandoy) have coverage, which is unusual. Where it might fail is on isolated mountain trails, closed valleys, or viewpoints like Sørvágsvatn when you're far from the road. There, the signal drops: that's due to the Faroese topography, not the eSIM. For most of your trip, you'll have data.
Fact: The Faroes have some of the subsea tunnels with mobile coverage in the world. Still, download offline maps: the weather changes quickly, and some mountain sections may lose signal.
How many GB you need for your trip
The Faroes are a driving and hiking destination: you'll mostly use your phone for navigation, weather forecasts, photos, and messaging. The direct answer: for a 4-5 day getaway, a 3 to 5 GB plan is more than enough; for one or two weeks exploring all the islands, aim for 5-10 GB. Leave streaming for hotel Wi-Fi.
| Travel Profile | Duration | Recommended Data |
|---|---|---|
| Short getaway (Tórshavn + Vágar) | 3-4 days | 3 GB |
| Island road trip | 1 week | 5 GB |
| Long trip + photography | 10-14 days | 10 GB |
| Remote work / hotspot | Variable | 15 GB or more |
A golden tip here: download offline maps of the Faroes and save the weather forecast, which changes every few hours and dictates which hike you can do. To better calculate your data for any destination, check out our guide on how much data you need for travel.
How to activate your eSIM step-by-step
Activating your eSIM takes 1 minute and can be done from home before your flight. You'll receive a QR code by email after purchase, scan it, and the plan will be installed. At Vágar, you'll just need to turn on data.
- Purchase the plan and receive the QR in your email instantly.
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM and scan the QR.
- Name the line, for example, "Faroes Trip."
- Keep your Spanish line for calls and use the eSIM for data.
- Upon landing in Vágar, activate data and roaming for the eSIM.
If you want to see screenshots, follow how to activate an eSIM or the details of how to install an eSIM. And if anything gets stuck, our 24/7 Spanish-speaking support is there to help.
eSIM vs. roaming (beware: they are not in the EU)
This is the critical point about the Faroes and where most people make mistakes: because they are Danish, many believe their Spanish plan includes free roaming like in the EU. This is not the case. The Faroe Islands are outside the European roaming agreement, so international roaming rates apply, with prices around €10-20 per day or much more if you don't have a data bundle.
With a local eSIM, you pay a fixed price for your data and forget about the fine print. The difference compared to a surprise three-figure bill is enormous. If you have doubts about when roaming is free and when it's not, read which countries have free roaming and the comparison of eSIM vs. roaming.
Warning: Check in Settings that data roaming for your Spanish line is DEACTIVATED. In the Faroes, that box being mistakenly activated is a direct route to an unpleasant bill.
Tips for driving in the Faroes while connected
The Faroes are best explored by rental car, navigating tunnels, ferries to small islands, and single-lane roads. Being connected helps you with navigation, weather, and ferry schedules, which are sacred here. Some notes:
- Download offline maps and routes: some mountain valleys will have no coverage.
- Check the weather forecast daily: it determines if tunnels are open and if it's safe to hike.
- Save ferry and helicopter schedules to smaller islands (Mykines, Kalsoy).
- Use your eSIM's hotspot for your laptop if you're working from a cabin with Atlantic views.
If your Nordic route continues to Iceland or the mainland, you'll be interested in our guides for eSIM for Iceland and eSIM for Scandinavia, which cover the rest of the region.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of the Faroe Islands, and is there good coverage?
The capital is Tórshavn, on the island of Streymoy. It is the most connected city in the archipelago, with stable 4G and 5G. From there, you can move with good signal on the main roads and the subsea tunnels connecting the islands.
Do the Faroe Islands have free roaming because they are Danish?
No. Although they belong to Denmark, the Faroes are outside the European Union and the community roaming agreement, so your Spanish plan incurs expensive international roaming charges. A local eSIM is the way to get data at a fixed price.
Is there coverage in subsea tunnels and mountain roads?
Yes, in the subsea tunnels between islands, which surprisingly have signal. On isolated mountain trails and in closed valleys, coverage may drop. Download offline maps before hiking so you don't depend on the network.
Does an eSIM for Denmark or Scandinavia work for the Faroes?
Not always. Since they are outside the EU, many "European" or Denmark eSIMs do not include the Faroes. Make sure the plan explicitly mentions the Faroe Islands or choose a destination-specific eSIM to avoid running out of data.
How many GB do I need for a week exploring the islands?
For a week-long road trip including navigation, weather forecasts, photos, and messaging, a 5 GB plan is usually sufficient. If you plan to upload many videos or use your hotspot for a laptop, increase to 10 GB and rely on hotel Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
The Faroe Islands are one of Europe's most spectacular destinations, but being outside the EU, roaming is expensive, and many "European" eSIMs don't cover them. With a specific eSIM, you'll arrive connected to Vágar, navigate between fjords at a fixed price, and control your spending. Purchase your eSIM for the Faroe Islands before you fly and activate data as soon as you land, with Spanish-speaking support if you need it.
