The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, home to about 55,000 people and, by the tourist board's count, around 80,000 sheep. They are a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark but not part of the EU, so they are not covered by Roam Like at Home: a European SIM roams here on its operator's own terms, and that includes a Danish one. The local operators, Føroya Tele and Nema, have roaming agreements with networks abroad, so most phones connect, but the price depends on your contract.
Key facts for the Faroe Islands
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Føroya Tele (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112 for the police, the fire service or an ambulance
- Embassies: none on the islands; the British Embassy in Copenhagen covers the whole Kingdom of Denmark, Faroes included
ID, visas and the Schengen gap
You do not always need a passport: citizens of some countries can visit with a national identity card that carries a photo, so check whether yours qualifies. Visitors from outside the EU and the Schengen area usually need a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned stay. The islands are not in the Schengen area, so a Schengen or Danish visa is not enough; anyone who needs a visa must have one marked as valid for the Faroe Islands. British visitors do not need a visa for tourism. Remember too that importing whale products from the Faroes into the UK or the EU is illegal and can lead to a fine or prison.
Weather that rules every plan
All four seasons can turn up in a single day, and fog, wind or rain can roll in without warning. Winter usually runs from December to February, but snowstorms can return in March, April and even May. The main roads are normally cleared of snow, though not at every hour, and some villages can be cut off by car early in the morning or late in the evening, so check road conditions and the forecast before setting out.
Hiking with care
Hike with company or a local guide, because marshland can be deep and the cliffs are dangerous. The tourist board's safe travel leaflet lets you note your route and expected return; leave it under your windscreen or at your accommodation so someone can raise the alarm. Several popular routes now require a mandatory payment, and the conditions vary from trail to trail, so read the rules for each one before you go. If farmers are herding sheep nearby, keep out of sight and stay still until they pass. Carry food, water, a map and a fully charged phone with a power bank, as coverage can be limited in the hills.
Roads, tunnels, buses and helicopters
The roads are excellent, with tunnels through the mountains and under the sea, although smaller roads may be unpaved and winding. Sheep wander onto the tarmac regardless of traffic; if you hit one, report it to the police, because the farmer can only claim on insurance when the accident has been reported, and you will not be asked to pay compensation. Large blue buses link Vágar, the only airport, with Tórshavn and the bigger towns, while smaller buses and ferries reach quieter places. Government-subsidised helicopters serve some remote islands, but visitors can only book one-way seats. By sea, a ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark reaches Tórshavn in around 30 hours, and in summer it continues to Iceland.
Money and healthcare
Two currencies circulate at equal value, the Faroese króna and the Danish krone: banknotes are Faroese or Danish, coins only Danish, and cards, especially Visa, are widely accepted. Crime is very low and tap water is excellent. The EHIC and the UK's GHIC cannot be used here, but a reciprocal agreement gives British nationals the same treatment they would get with a GHIC, and Nordic citizens are also covered; bring your card and your passport as proof. Everyone else needs travel insurance that is valid outside the EU.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up before you fly connects as soon as you land at Vágar. The Faroe Islands plans run on Føroya Tele, on 4G, and a Europe Extended plan, a Mediterranean plan or a World plan also covers the islands together with Denmark and Iceland, which suits the ferry route. A standard Europe plan does not include the Faroes. Keep your home SIM for bank codes, with data roaming off.
Consular protection: who to call in the Faroe Islands
- Dial 112 for the police, the fire service or an ambulance.
- Denmark handles the islands' foreign affairs, so there are no embassies here: British nationals are helped by the British Embassy in Copenhagen, and other visitors by their own embassy accredited to Denmark.
- Before you travel, find in the Telcomia app the embassy or consulate that covers Denmark for your passport, and keep its phone number.
- Faroese and Danish are the official languages.
Questions travellers ask about the Faroe Islands
Will my EU SIM work in the Faroe Islands?
Only on roaming at your operator's own rates, because the islands are outside Roam Like at Home. That applies to Danish SIMs as well, unless the operator includes the Faroes.
Is my Schengen visa valid?
No. The Faroes are not in the Schengen area, so a visa must be marked as valid for the Faroe Islands.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in the Faroe Islands?
Føroya Tele, on 4G.
What should I do if I hit a sheep?
Report it to the police. You will not have to pay compensation, and the report lets the farmer claim on insurance.
The short version
Check whether your ID card is enough or your visa covers the Faroes, install the eSIM before flying, follow the forecast hour by hour, never hike alone, pay trail fees where they apply, watch for sheep on the road, bring your GHIC or insurance, and save 112.
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