Taiwan SIM Card & Internet Guide: 中華電信, 台灣大哥大, 遠傳 for Newcomers
Taiwan's mobile market is dominated by three carriers — 中華電信 (Chunghwa Telecom), 台灣大哥大 (Taiwan Mobile), and 遠傳 (Far EasTone). Coverage is excellent island-wide and prices are low by global standards. Here is how to get connected.
What to bring: 雙證件 (two IDs)
Taiwan requires real-name registration for SIM cards (anti-fraud rules). Foreigners need two IDs:
- First ID: passport, or a valid ARC (外僑居留證).
- Second ID: another official photo document — your home-country ID or driver's license, visa, or entry permit. For short-term tourist prepaid cards, the second ID can be your home country's official document.
You must be 18 or older to apply in person; under-18s need a parent or guardian present with both parties' IDs.
Tourists: airport prepaid cards
The fastest option on arrival. All three carriers have counters at Taoyuan and Songshan airports (and Taichung/Kaohsiung airports). Chunghwa's tourist prepaid cards, for example, run 3-day NT$300, 5-day NT$500, 7-day NT$500, 15-day NT$800, 30-day NT$1,000 tiers with unlimited data — buy with cash, active immediately. One SIM per traveler with valid documents. Pre-registering online (KYC) before you fly speeds up the counter process.
Residents: prepaid vs. postpaid
Prepaid (預付卡) — best for the first months. Chunghwa's 30-day unlimited-data top-ups run around NT$399–1,000 depending on speed tier; Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone have similar tourist/resident prepaid lines. Recharge at carrier stores, convenience stores, or online. Numbers stay valid as long as you top up before expiry (typically every 180 days).
Postpaid (月租型) — once you have an ARC and ideally a local bank account or credit card. Typical plans run NT$599–1,399/month for generous or unlimited 4G/5G data; higher tiers subsidize a new phone. Carrier stores will check your ARC; some ask for a deposit from foreigners without a local credit history.
eSIM
All three carriers support eSIM for prepaid and postpaid. At the airport or carrier store, ask for "預付卡 eSIM" — you will need a phone with eSIM support and the same two IDs. Replacing an eSIM later costs around NT$300.
Home internet
- Fiber (光纖): Chunghwa HiNet dominates; 100M–1G plans are widely available in cities. Installation usually needs an ARC and takes a few days.
- 4G/5G routers: a pragmatic alternative for renters — a SIM router with an unlimited-data plan, no installation appointment needed.
- Building internet: many rentals include 社區網路 (building-shared internet); ask the landlord before signing up for your own.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my foreign number?
Yes for messaging apps, but you will want a Taiwanese number — banks, delivery apps, government services, and YouBike registration all expect a local mobile number for SMS verification.
Which carrier is best?
Chunghwa has the widest rural/mountain coverage; Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone are strong in cities and sometimes cheaper. For city life, any of the three is fine.
Do I need a contract in Chinese?
Carrier stores in city centers often have English-speaking staff and English plan brochures. Read the contract term (usually 12–30 months for subsidized phones) before signing.
Sources
- Chunghwa Telecom, prepaid card application rules for foreigners: https://www.cht.com.tw/home/campaign/prepaidcard/intro
- Chunghwa tourist prepaid cards: https://www.cht.com.tw/home/campaign/prepaidtour/index_tw.html
- Taiwan Mobile traveler prepaid cards: https://telecom.taiwanmobile.com/emyfone/action/prepayTraveler.do?method=reserveSelectPackage&language=zh_CN