Top up your prepay plan

Topping up your prepay plan is quick and easy, and there are several different ways to do it. On this page, we will explain how to top up your prepay plan and how often you need to do so to keep your number active.

How to top up your prepay plan

You can top up your prepay plan in a variety of ways. Below, we’ve summarised the most common methods used by Irish networks. Keep in mind that the exact steps might vary slightly depending on whether you are with Three, Vodafone, Eir, or another provider like Tesco Mobile or 48.

Top up online

  • Log in to your account: Visit your network’s website and log in to your personal dashboard.
  • Top up as a guest: If you don’t want to create an account, most Irish providers allow you to “Top Up as Guest” by simply entering your mobile number.
  • Payment methods: You can usually pay with a debit or credit card. Most Irish networks now support Revolut Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Revolut is particularly popular for setting up “Low Balance” alerts and instant transfers.
  • Select the amount: Choose the amount you want to add (usually starting from €5 or €10, though €20 is the standard for most “Unlimited” offers).
  • Confirmation: You will typically see a confirmation on your screen and receive a text message once the credit has been applied.

Top up via app

  • Download your network’s official app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Log in to your account.
  • Find the “Top Up” section. This is often the fastest method as your payment details can be securely saved for future use.

Top up via call or text

To top up over the phone, you usually need to dial a specific short-code (for example, 1741 or 1747) and follow the automated instructions. Topping up via text is similar; you send a message with your payment details or a specific code to a designated number.

Generally, you will need to have a debit card already linked to your account via the website or app to use these quick-dial methods. You can find the specific top-up numbers on your provider’s website.

Top up with a voucher

To top up using a voucher, you can buy one at most newsagents (like Centra or Spar), supermarkets, petrol stations, or any outlet displaying the Payzone or PostPoint logo.

  • The voucher will have a unique 10 to 16-digit code printed on the receipt.
  • Follow the instructions on the receipt to “redeem” the voucher – usually by texting the code to a short-code or entering it into the automated phone menu.

Please note! Some digital-only providers do not support physical vouchers. Always check your provider’s app first.

Can I top up a prepay plan that isn’t my own?

Yes, most Irish networks allow you to top up a friend or family member’s phone as long as you have their mobile number. The simplest way is to use the “Top Up a Guest” or “Top Up a Friend” feature on the provider’s website. Simply enter their Irish mobile number instead of your own and proceed to payment.

If you are calling the automated service to top up, the system may ask if you want to top up the number you are calling from. Choose “no” and follow the prompts to enter the alternative mobile number you wish to credit.

Set up an Auto top-up

Most providers now offer “Auto Top-Up” or “Scheduled Top-Up” features. This is ideal if you use your prepay plan every month and want to ensure your “unlimited data” or “free calls” offer doesn’t lapse. You can set the system to automatically deduct the cost of your plan from your debit card every 28 or 30 days.

Can I add extra data to my prepay plan?

This depends on your specific network. If you find you’ve used up your data allowance before your plan is due to renew, you can usually buy “add-ons”.  These are small, one-off purchases of data (e.g., an extra 5 GB or 10 GB) that last until your next top-up. Most add-ons are valid for 28 or 30 days, or until your next main top-up occurs.

Standard “out-of-bundle” data rates can be very expensive in Ireland. If you are constantly running out of data, it is usually much cheaper to move to a higher-tier prepay plan (such as an “All You Can Eat” data plan) rather than buying multiple add-ons.

How often do I need to top up my prepay plan?

In Ireland, most prepay plans or offers run on a 28-day cycle, rather than a calendar month. This means you will actually top up 13 times a year to keep your benefits active. After this period, you need to top up by the required amount (usually €20) to reactivate the benefits for another 28 days. If you don’t top up, you will be charged standard rates from any remaining “real money” credit on your account.

Important: Your SIM card itself has an expiry date. To keep your SIM and phone number active, you generally need to top up or make a paid activity (like a call or text) at least once every 6 to 12 months. If a SIM remains inactive for too long, the network will deactivate the card and you may lose your phone number permanently. Under ComReg rules, providers must notify you before deactivating your number, but it is always safer to make a small top-up every six months.