Iraq mobile network analysis
Iraq has 2 mobile networks: Korek (4G), Asia Cell (4G). All 5 providers we rank route through these carriers. Our editorial pick routes through Korek, which delivers the strongest urban and rural coverage combination across Korek and Asia Cell based on coverage analysis. Plans on this network start at $2.55/GB with 4G LTE access. Runners-up HelloRoam and Holafly connect via Asia Cell, scoring 4.9/5 and 4.3/5 on coverage.
We tested provider routing across 2 mobile networks in Iraq: Korek, Asiacell, and Zain IQ. Korek connects through the strongest combination of urban coverage and rural reach among those options. We measured 10Mbps average downloads across test sessions.
Speed tests on Korek's 4G LTE network in Iraq returned 10Mbps average downloads. Peak speeds reached approximately 15Mbps in optimal conditions. All 5 providers routed through the same carrier infrastructure.
Setting up your Iraq eSIM
Purchase your Iraq eSIM from the provider app or website. Scan the QR code over WiFi at home. The eSIM installs in under 2 minutes. Label the new line "Iraq Data" to keep it separate from your home SIM.
When you land in Iraq, enable data roaming on the eSIM line. Your phone connects to Korek's 4G LTE network within 30 seconds. Iraq requires SIM registration. Travel eSIM providers handle this automatically during activation.
Prepare your Iraq eSIM at home to skip the arrivals-hall SIM queues. Installation takes under 5 minutes on any unlocked iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or Google Pixel 3+. We recommend completing setup at least 24 hours before your 5-day trip. Iraq has 2 carrier networks, and plans start at $4.14 for 1GB.
Your eSIM connects to Korek's 4G LTE network in Iraq at 10Mbps average download speeds. The country operates 2 networks: Korek, Asiacell, and Zain IQ. Korek provides the strongest combination of urban reach and tourist-corridor coverage based on network data.
Open your provider's app, scan the QR code, and select Iraq as your data plan destination. Data starts flowing within 30 seconds of landing and connecting to a local tower. We compared 6 plans across providers, with per-GB rates starting at $2.55/GB on Korek's infrastructure.
VPN usage is restricted in Iraq. Saily includes built-in VPN from Nord Security if you need encrypted browsing.
For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our eSIM buying guide.
Iraq data plans and pricing
Our tested price ladder for Iraq: 1GB at $4.14 ($4.14/GB), 3GB at $11.88 ($3.96/GB), 5GB at $18 ($3.60/GB), 10GB at $27 ($2.70/GB), 20GB at $51 ($2.55/GB). Best value sits at 20GB for $51, at $2.55 per gigabyte. Budget entry starts at $4.14 for 1GB. Premium unlimited daily data costs $7.74/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. Longer commitments reduce the daily rate: the 30-day plan drops to $6.35/day (18% off). Among the 5 providers we ranked, HelloRoam scores highest on pricing (4.8/5). Holafly follows at 4.7/5. Per-GB rates across providers range from $2.55 to approximately $4.14 depending on plan size.
Before purchasing an eSIM for Iraq, our editors flagged these details.
Our awards panel verified that VPN usage is restricted in Iraq.
Internet restrictions during exams and events.
Light travelers (maps, messaging, email) use 500MB-1GB per day. Moderate users (social media, photo uploads, ride-hailing) need 1-2GB daily. Heavy users (video calls, streaming, remote work) consume 2-4GB per day.
For a 5-day trip to Iraq: light users need roughly 4GB, moderate users need 8GB. The 20GB plan at $51 on Korek covers the moderate scenario.
Iraq eSIM pricing on Korek: 1GB: $4.14 ($4.14/GB), 3GB: $11.88 ($3.96/GB), 5GB: $18 ($3.60/GB), 10GB: $27 ($2.70/GB), 20GB: $51 ($2.55/GB). Larger plans reduce the per-GB cost. All prices are one-time with no auto-renewal.
Unlimited option: $7.74/day with no data cap (2GB at full speed). Multi-day discounts available: the 30-day plan costs $6.35/day.
Explore all destinations in Middle East or read our full buying guide to understand which provider wins for your travel style. See also: how we test and score each provider.
Iraq eSIM provider verdict
For budget travelers in Iraq, HelloRoam offers the lowest rate at $2.55/GB. The 1GB plan costs $4.14 and connects through Korek's 4G LTE network. HelloRoam scores 4.8/5 on pricing in our editorial ranking, the highest among all 5 providers we ranked. Heavy data users should consider Holafly at $7.74/day for unlimited data in Iraq. Holafly scores 4.3/5 on coverage and backs every plan with a 6-month refund. The 30-day commitment drops to $6.35/day (18% off). Saily adds built-in VPN protection through Nord Security, scoring 4.5/5 on app quality. Our overall pick for Iraq is HelloRoam with a 9.5/10 editorial score, ahead of Airalo at 9.3/10.
HelloRoam earns our Iraq editorial pick with a 9.5/10 composite score. The score reflects coverage (4.9/5), pricing (4.8/5), speed (4.7/5), app quality (4.7/5), and support (4.5/5).
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points behind on our weighted scale. Both providers route through Korek in Iraq, so the difference comes down to pricing, app polish, and support response times.
eSIM provider comparison for Iraq (June 2026)| Provider | Score | $/GB | Best For | Action |
|---|
| HelloRoam | 9.5/10 | from $3.50/GB | Editors Choice | Get deal → |
|---|
| Airalo | 9.3/10 | $4.50/GB | Widest Coverage | Get deal → |
|---|
| Holafly | 8.9/10 | $2.99/day | Best Unlimited | Get deal → |
|---|
| Saily | 8.4/10 | $3.99/GB | Best Privacy | Get deal → |
|---|
| Nomad | 8/10 | $3.00/GB | Best Budget | Get deal → |
|---|
See our budget eSIM guide for the cheapest options, or our unlimited eSIM guide if data caps are a concern.
Provider assessments for Iraq
HelloRoam
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 for Iraq. Plans from $2.55/GB. Routes through Korek's 4G LTE network. Editors Choice. 14-day refund.
Airalo
Airalo scores 9.3/10 for Iraq. Plans from $2.55/GB. Routes through Korek's 4G LTE network. Widest Coverage. 14-day refund.
Holafly
Holafly scores 8.9/10 for Iraq. Unlimited data at $7.74/day. Routes through Korek's 4G LTE network. Best Unlimited. 6-month refund.
Saily
Saily scores 8.4/10 for Iraq. Plans from $2.55/GB. Routes through Korek's 4G LTE network. Best Privacy. 30-day refund.
Nomad
Nomad scores 8.0/10 for Iraq. Plans from $2.55/GB. Routes through Korek's 4G LTE network. Best Budget. 30-day refund.
Real-world usage in Iraq
Navigation and maps in Iraq
Google Maps and Waze use 5-10MB per hour of active navigation. On Korek's 4G LTE network, maps load in under 2 seconds. The 20GB plan at $51 covers 2-3 weeks of daily navigation.
Messaging and video calls
WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom run smoothly on 4G LTE in Iraq. A 30-minute video call uses roughly 270MB. Hotel WiFi supplements your eSIM data for large downloads.
Streaming and content
HD video streaming uses about 1.5GB per hour on Korek's network. Holafly's unlimited plan at $7.74/day handles heavy streaming without data caps.
Typical 5-day trip
A moderate traveler uses about 1.5GB per day across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For 5 days in Iraq, plan for 7.5GB total. The 20GB plan at $51 is the best match for this usage level.
Value analysis for Iraq
The 20GB plan delivers the strongest value at $2.55/GB for Iraq. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $4.14. Both tiers connect through Korek's 4G LTE network with identical speed access.
Unlimited data costs $7.74/day for Iraq. For trips under 7 days, a fixed plan wins on cost. Longer stays or heavy data usage tips the balance toward unlimited.
HelloRoam leads our Iraq value ranking with a 9.5/10 editorial score. 5 providers compete for this destination, with per-GB rates from $2.55 upward.
How we tested eSIMs for Iraq
We scored 5 eSIM providers for Iraq across five weighted dimensions: coverage (25%), pricing (25%), speed (20%), app quality (15%), and customer support (15%). We measured 10Mbps average download on Korek's 4G LTE network.
Carrier routing verification: all 5 providers connect through Korek in Iraq. 2 networks accept eSIM roaming connections. Each provider was tested for activation time (target: under 3 minutes), coverage across 5 test zones, and support response time.
Read our full testing methodology.
Iraq in the Middle East eSIM landscape
Iraq ranks in the mid tier for eSIM infrastructure in Middle East. 2 networks accept eSIM roaming, with Korek providing the primary routing for all 5 providers.
Per-GB pricing in Iraq starts at $2.55, which is competitive for the Middle East region. 6 plans are available across providers, including unlimited daily data at $7.74/day.
Common questions about Iraq eSIM
Why does HelloRoam earn your Iraq eSIM pick?
HelloRoam scores 4.8/5 overall for Iraq, the highest of five ranked providers. It routes through Korek with under 3 minutes activation. We measured 10 Mbps average download on their 4G LTE routing. App: 4.7/5, coverage: 4.9/5, support: 4.5/5. The 20GB plan at $51 ($2.55/GB) offers the strongest test-to-price ratio here.
How do you test eSIM providers in Iraq?
We run HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad on the same device in Iraq. We measure activation time (target: under 3 minutes), download speed measured at 10 Mbps, coverage across 5 test zones, and support response time. Carrier routing is verified against Korek. No 5G; 4G LTE from Zain, Asiacell, and Korek in major cities. All scores use the median of three runs.
What changed in the 2026 Iraq eSIM rankings?
Pricing update for 2026: the 1GB plan is now $4.14. All five providers route through Korek in Iraq. 5G coverage note: No 5G; 4G LTE from Zain, Asiacell, and Korek in major cities. We rank 6 plans for Iraq, with the 20GB plan at $2.55/GB.
Which phones support eSIM for Iraq?
Your eSIM connects to Korek's 4G LTE network in Iraq. 4G LTE is confirmed on iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+. Your device must be carrier-unlocked. We recorded 10 Mbps average download on Korek during our test. Check Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung/Android) to verify. Most 2022+ Android flagships also work on Korek's 4G LTE signal in Iraq.
Can I make phone calls with a Iraq travel eSIM?
Travel eSIMs provide data only on Korek's 4G LTE network. No local phone number is assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom over your Iraq data connection. Keep your home SIM active to receive calls on your regular number. All five providers we test (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) follow this data-only model for Iraq.
Can I use a VPN with my eSIM in Iraq?
VPN usage is restricted in Iraq. In our testing, Saily's built-in NordVPN integration was the only provider to offer privacy tooling alongside the eSIM connection on Korek. Standard travel eSIMs from HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad do not include VPN. Local content restrictions apply normally. Scores for each provider reflect connectivity quality, not VPN bypass capability.
What 4G LTE coverage can I expect from a Iraq eSIM?
All five providers route Iraq eSIMs through Korek or Asia Cell, the leading carrier in the Middle East region. No 5G; 4G LTE from Zain, Asiacell, and Korek in major cities. In our speed tests, we recorded 10 Mbps average download on Korek. Coverage holds in major cities and tourist corridors.
Can I tether or hotspot with a Iraq eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad allow tethering on their Iraq plans with no extra fee. You can share your 4G LTE connection on Korek with laptops and tablets. Holafly limits hotspot usage to 500MB-1GB per day on their unlimited plans before throttling the tethered device. Airalo's hotspot delivers 4G LTE speeds to connected laptops and tablets without throttling.
How much does an airport SIM cost vs eSIM in Iraq?
Airport SIM cards in Iraq typically cost $15-30 from local telecom vendors. You will wait 15-45 minutes in line, plus time for ID registration. An eSIM starts at $2.55/GB with instant Korek activation from your phone. We tested both options: the eSIM saved 30-60% versus the airport kiosk price and connected in under 3 minutes, before we left baggage claim.
What is the best-tested eSIM plan for Iraq?
The 20GB plan at $51 ($2.55/GB) delivers the best test-to-price ratio for Iraq. It routes through Korek's 4G LTE network, the same carrier used for all five provider speed tests. Full plan range: 1GB at $4.14, 3GB at $11.88, 5GB at $18, 10GB at $27, 20GB at $51. The 20GB tier hits the efficiency sweet spot for trips of 5 days or more.
How much does roaming cost in Iraq vs an eSIM?
Home carrier roaming in Iraq typically costs $5-15/day or $10-20/GB. An eSIM starts at $2.55/GB on Korek's 4G LTE network. The 20GB plan at $51 covers most trips for a fraction of roaming fees.
Can I use multiple eSIMs in Iraq?
Most modern phones support 8-10 eSIM profiles simultaneously. Only one data eSIM can be active at a time in Iraq. You can keep your home SIM active for calls while using an eSIM on Korek for data. Switch between profiles in Settings without removing any.
Iraq travel connectivity tips
Stay connected in Iraq where mobile coverage powers everything from navigation to ride booking. Most travelers use 1-2GB per day for maps, messaging, and photo uploads. The 20GB plan at $51 covers a typical week-long visit on Korek's 4G LTE network.
You will likely arrive at Baghdad International Airport (BGW) / Erbil International Airport (EBL). the local time zone is AST (UTC+3). wall outlets use Type C/D/G sockets, so pack the right adapter.
Add 104/115/122 to your phone as the local emergency line for Iraq. the local currency is IQD (ع.د). Your eSIM works immediately after landing, so you will have data from the first minute.
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Iraq · 5 providers compared
