Why Calls to Ireland Still Matter
For people in the UK, calling Ireland isn’t just about staying in touch abroad — it’s often part of daily life. Over 600,000 Irish-born residents live in Britain, and many more people have family across the Irish Sea. Add to that the strong business ties — Ireland is one of the UK’s top five trading partners — and you can see why calls to Ireland are among the most common international calls made from the UK.
Despite that closeness, the cost of calling Ireland can catch people out. It’s not unusual for someone to check their mobile bill and see £20–£30 extra for “just a couple of calls.” Businesses fare even worse: recruitment agencies interviewing candidates in Dublin, exporters selling into Cork, or accountancy firms working with Irish clients all find international call charges eating away at their margins.
No wonder one of the most searched phrases is “how much to call Ireland from the UK” or “cheapest way to call Ireland from UK.” as well as queries relating to calls to USA from UK. People don’t just want to know the dial code, they want to avoid bill shock.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- How to dial Ireland correctly from the UK.
- What UK mobile and landline providers actually charge.
- Why VoIP is cheaper and more predictable.
- How Plexatalk’s Home and Business VoIP packages solve the problem for good.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how much a call to Ireland should cost in 2025 — and how to keep those costs under control.
How to Dial Ireland from the UK
Before we talk about cost, let’s make sure you know how to dial properly. Ireland’s country code is +353.
- From a UK landline: 00 + 353 + area code (without the leading 0) + local number.
- From a UK mobile: +353 + area code (without the 0) + local number.
Example
A Dublin number listed as 01 234 5678 becomes:
- 00 353 1 234 5678 from a UK landline.
- +353 1 234 5678 from a UK mobile.
Irish Area Codes
- Dublin: 01
- Cork: 021
- Galway: 091
- Limerick: 061
- Waterford: 051
Irish mobiles start with 08x (e.g., 087, 086, 085).
Common Mistakes
- Dialling the “0” in the area code (e.g., 00353 01 …).
- Confusing Northern Ireland’s 028 numbers (UK) with Republic of Ireland’s 00353 prefix.
- Forgetting the 00 or + when calling from a mobile.
Dialling correctly ensures your call connects — but the real issue is what you’ll pay once it does.
How Much Does It Cost to Call Ireland from a UK Mobile?
Calling Ireland directly from a UK mobile can be expensive if you don’t have an international add-on. Out-of-allowance rates vary, but here’s what the big networks publish:
- O2 / Virgin Media (O2 network): ~22p/minute to Ireland on Pay Monthly. They offer an International Bolt On (£3/month) which discounts many destinations to just a few pence per minute.
- EE: Lists calls to Ireland at 40p/minute when not covered by an allowance. International add-ons can reduce this significantly.
- Vodafone: Steers customers to International Extras such as International Saver or 200 Minutes packs. Exact rates vary by plan, so you need to check their price checker.
- Three: Standard out-of-bundle rates are high, but they sell International Add-ons — £7/month for 100 minutes or £12/month for unlimited calls to ~55 destinations, including Ireland.
Example: A weekly 20-minute call from EE without a bolt-on costs about £8/month. On O2 standard, it’s £17/month. With Plexatalk VoIP? £10 flat, with 500 minutes included.
How Much Does It Cost to Call Ireland from a UK Landline?
Landline calls to Ireland are often cheaper per minute than mobiles — but there are caveats. Most providers add a call-setup fee, and rates change by time of day or “international band.”
- BT: Uses a banded system, with Ireland placed in “Band A” international rates. Customers can add International Freedom or Friends & Family International for reduced costs. Check the BT Consumer Price Guide for the latest ppm.
- Sky: Charges depend on the time of day; daytime is higher than evenings/weekends. A call setup fee also applies. See their International charges tables.
- TalkTalk: Standard rate is higher, but their International Extra add-on reduces calls to Ireland to just a few pence per minute (with 500 minutes included).
Worked example: A 60-minute monthly call to Cork:
- BT standard = around £13 (plus setup fees).
- Sky evenings = around £7.
- TalkTalk with International Extra = closer to £1.50.
- Plexatalk Home = £4 flat, with Ireland included, plus calls to the UK, USA, and more.
So landline add-ons can bring prices down, but they tie you to that provider — and remember, with the 2027 switch-off, these “landline” services are VoIP already.
Cheapest Way to Call Ireland — VoIP
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is by far the most cost-effective option. Instead of routing calls over copper wires or mobile networks, VoIP uses your internet connection (home broadband or mobile data).
Why VoIP is Cheaper
- Calls to destinations like Ireland are included in bundles, not charged per minute.
- Out-of-bundle rates are pennies, not pounds.
- One flat monthly cost avoids “bill shock.”
Why VoIP is Better
- Flexibility: use a mobile app, desk phone, or laptop.
- Portability: take your number anywhere in the world.
- Reliability: no copper dependency.
- Future-proof: ready for the 2027 PSTN switch-off.
For households and businesses that call Ireland regularly, VoIP isn’t just cheaper — it’s the smarter, long-term choice.
How Plexatalk Solves This
We’ve designed packages that specifically help customers who want to call Ireland without wasting money on expensive bundles.
For Home Users
- £4/month → includes 100 minutes to Ireland, the UK, USA, and other destinations.
- Answer calls on your mobile with our app, or plug your existing landline handset into a VoIP adaptor.
- Features: voicemail-to-email, call history, portability.
- Perfect for families calling relatives in Dublin, Cork, or Galway.
For Business Users
- Plans from £15–20/month per user.
- Shared minutes across your team.
- Features: call routing, IVR menus, hunt groups, shared voicemail inbox.
- Perfect for businesses with Irish suppliers, clients, or remote workers.
Use cases:
- A couple in Manchester calling family in Galway weekly: £4/month, no per-minute surprises.
- A recruitment firm in London interviewing Irish candidates daily: pooled business minutes with professional call features.
With Plexatalk, you’re not paying per minute — you’re paying for predictable, future-proof communication.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Calling Ireland for Less
- Choose your plan: Home or Business.
- Port your number (optional): keep your familiar UK landline number.
- Set up your device: mobile app, VoIP desk phone, or adaptor for your existing handset.
- Start calling Ireland: minutes are included.
- Enjoy predictable bills: no hidden extras, no copper dependency.
FAQs
How much does it cost to call Ireland from UK mobile?
Out-of-bundle rates start around 22p/min (O2) or 40p/min (EE); Vodafone and Three rely on international add-ons.
Is VoIP cheaper than landline or mobile?
Yes, Plexatalk Home VoIP starts at £4/month with 100 minutes included.
Can I keep my landline number?
Yes — Plexatalk will port it to VoIP.
Do I need fibre broadband to use VoIP?
No. It works with any stable internet connection, including mobile data.
What if my relatives in Ireland only have a landline?
VoIP calls connect seamlessly to Irish landlines.
Can businesses share minutes?
Yes — our Business plans let multiple users share minutes.
Is call quality reliable?
Yes — with a good internet connection, VoIP is as clear (or clearer) than mobile.
How Much to Call Ireland from the UK
Ireland may be the UK’s closest neighbour, but calling across the Irish Sea can still be expensive if you rely on mobiles or landlines. Out-of-bundle mobile calls start at around 22p/min, landlines often add connection fees, and bundles lock you into one provider.
The cheapest, most reliable way is VoIP. With Plexatalk you get:
- Home plans for families: £4/month, 100 minutes to Ireland, UK, and more.
- Business plans for teams: from £10/month, with advanced call features.
- The ability to keep your number, ready for the 2027 PSTN switch-off.
👉 Want to cut your Ireland calling costs? See our Home VoIP Pricing and Business VoIP Pricing today — and start calling Ireland for less.