Your Guide to Navigating EU Roaming Fees After Brexit

Reading time: 12 minutes | Posted: 24th February 2024

Data roaming comes into play when you travel outside the UK, and your phone connects to local mobile networks to stay online. This can be handy for browsing, calling, or texting friends and family back home. However, data roaming often comes with hefty fees, depending on the country and your specific plan.

What are roaming charges?

Travelling overseas shouldn't come with hidden costs, yet roaming charges can lurk behind seemingly simple actions like checking maps or sending messages. Be wary of both daily rates and per-use charges for calls, texts, and data, all of which can skyrocket beyond your usual plan.

Even exceeding your domestic data allowance while abroad can result in eye-watering fees, with charges reaching up to £6 per megabyte! Remember, free EU roaming doesn't guarantee unlimited data. Many networks cap roaming data below your home allowance, meaning an unexpected bill could be waiting if you are not careful.

Do your research before you travel, compare plans with generous data allowances, and be mindful of fair usage policies to avoid roaming charges spoiling your adventure.

Has Brexit affected roaming charges?

Brexit dramatically changed the landscape for data roaming. Previously, UK residents enjoyed free calling, texting, and data within the EU thanks to EU regulations. However, with the UK's departure in 2021, these protections vanished.

Consequently, British travellers now face potential roaming charges depending on their mobile network provider. While some providers currently offer complimentary roaming within the EU, most have either reintroduced charges or plan to do so. Careful research and informed plan selection are crucial for avoiding hefty bills while exploring Europe post-Brexit.

Which networks still offer free EU roaming?

While Brexit ended the legal mandate for free EU roaming for UK mobile users, some providers continue to offer it as a perk within their plans. Here is a breakdown of networks currently providing free EU roaming and their data inclusions:

Networks with capped data allowances:

• Giffgaff: Most giffgaff plans include free EU roaming with 5GB of data. Exceeding this limit incurs charges of 10p per MB.
• iD Mobile: All iD Mobile plans offer free EU roaming with a generous 30GB data allowance. However, their fair usage policy limits tethering to 5GB.
• O2: All O2 plans have free "roam like at home" in 48 European destinations, including unlimited data, calls, and texts. This is capped up 25GB based on your allowance.
• Lebara: Selected Lebara plans include free EU roaming with 30GB of data. Charges apply for exceeding the allowance or using more than 5GB for tethering.
• SMARTY Mobile: All SMARTY Mobile plans offer free EU roaming with 12GB of data. Using more than 5GB for tethering incurs charges.
• Tesco Mobile: Most Tesco Mobile plans include free EU roaming until 1 January 2025. The data allowance varies depending on the plan, ranging from 2GB to 30 GB. Fair usage limits apply for tethering.

Network policies and inclusions can change, so always double-check the latest information directly from the provider before your trip. Fair usage policies may restrict excessive tethering or hotspot usage even within the data allowance.

Which networks are now charging for EU roaming?

While some UK mobile networks have reintroduced roaming charges, others continue to offer free usage abroad. Check your specific plan and sign-up date to confirm your situation. Refer to the table below for a summary of current roaming charge policies among select providers.

Here is more of a breakdown of leading mobile providers and their EU roaming charges.

1pMobile Roaming

While many UK networks have dropped free EU roaming, 1pMobile stands out by keeping it included in their plans. 1PMobile users can continue enjoying regular calling, texting, and data allowances (capped at 14GB) across 46 EU destinations.

Roaming automatically activates, ensuring seamless connectivity. PAYG customers can even benefit from the same low 1p rates! Although 1pMobile does not offer roaming beyond the EU, their continued commitment to free EU roaming earns them high praise in a mobile landscape shifting towards additional charges. This makes them a compelling choice for budget-conscious travellers seeking worry-free connectivity within the EU.

Asda Mobile Roaming

While Asda Mobile allows bundle users to roam freely in 46 EU destinations with their included allowance, a 5GB cap applies, resulting in 10p/MB charges for exceeding data usage. Pay As You Go users face the standard 10p/MB roaming rate across the same EU destinations.

GiffGaff Roaming

GiffGaff plans offer seamless use in the EU and select destinations, mirroring your domestic usage at no additional charge. However, pay-as-you-go users encounter standard UK roaming rates (currently 10p/MB) for calls, texts, and data.

While plans boast generous allowances, a 5GB cap applies for EU roaming. Exceeding this limit incurs charges of 10p/MB, similar to pay-as-you-go rates. Remember, your total data usage across all zones (including domestic) affects overall allowances. Using more than 80GB triggers speed reductions between 8 am and midnight GMT.

Honest Mobile Roaming

Honest Mobile stands out with free EU roaming included in all plans! Enjoy seamlessly using your regular UK allowance for calls, texts, and data (capped at 20GB/month) across the EU.

While calling and texting directly to EU numbers incur separate charges, remaining connected within your domestic allowance offers incredible value. However, remember the 20GB data cap for EU roaming and the 60-day fair usage policy.

iD Mobile Roaming

iD Mobile allows you to travel seamlessly with built-in roaming across 50 EU, EEA, and beyond destinations. This expansive coverage ensures you stay connected with loved ones back home and explore freely.

While roaming, leverage your existing plan allowances, including minutes, texts, and data up to 30GB. However, it's essential to note fair usage and open data policies may apply.

Within the 50 roaming destinations (categorised as Band 1 or Band 2), you can conveniently:

• Make calls to UK numbers and within the same destination you are visiting.
• For Band 1 destinations, connect with any other Band 1 location using your included minutes.

Calls to destinations outside these categories incur additional charges.

Lebara Roaming

Lebara prioritises international connections, reflected in its generous roaming approach. Enjoy utilising your plan's data allowance within the EU and India at no additional cost, with a reasonable 30GB cap on Unlimited plans. While venturing beyond the EU, charges remain accessible:

• Calls: £1.49 - £3.49 per minute to make, 99p to £1.49 to receive.
• Texts: 49p each.
• Data: 9p per MB, capped at £42 to prevent excessive charges.

Additional pay-as-you-go data allowance might be needed outside the EU. Overall, Lebara balances affordability with decent flexibility for international travellers.

Lycamobile Roaming

As of the 17th July 2023, all current LycaMobile plans come with EU Roaming included as standard.

On plans with a set data allowance you can use up to 12GB a month whilst travelling within the EU (applicable countries listed below) If your data allowance is less than 12GB then this is your EU Data Roaming limit.

Unlimited plans have a EU Data Roaming limit of 35GB.

All plans have up to 2000 minutes and 2000 texts, again less if your limit is less than 2000.

Countries in LycaMobile’s EU Roaming Zone include:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

SMARTY Roaming

All SMARTY plans offer free EU roaming with up to 12GB of data or your monthly allowance if your data allowance is lower that 12GB. If your plan includes minutes and texts you can also use these like you are at home.

SMARTY stipulates that you can only roam for 60 consecutive days at a time, whilst this should cover most trips, keep this in mind for longer trips.

Spusu Roaming

With Spusu, you can enjoy seamless connectivity across the EU without any additional costs. The amount you can use varies per plan, so please check before travelling.

Most plans offer up to 10GB of data to use in the EU (if your plan has more than this usually) and also offer 500 minutes and 500 texts to use whilst abroad.

Spusu offers some dedicated travel plans that will allow you to use up to 25GB of your data abroad.

Enjoy free roaming throughout these 28 EU countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French territories in the Indian Ocean, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

While Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland fall under free roaming, they are not included in free international calls and will incur additional charges.

TalkMobile Roaming

Talkmobile offers free roaming in 44 European destinations, allowing you to leverage your existing plan allowance for calls, texts, and data. However, significant distinctions exist based on your sign-up date:

• Joined before 14 March 2023: You benefit from a 15GB fair usage policy for EU roaming.
• Joined or upgraded on/after 14 March 2023: A reduced limit of 5GB per month applies for EU roaming.

Exceeding your allocated data incurs charges. Consider purchasing a Euro Holiday Booster, starting at £2.25 per day for 15GB, to manage your usage.

Are you travelling beyond Europe? Remember that your regular allowance doesn't apply. Out-of-plan rates based on international zones determine your costs.

Tesco Mobile Roaming

Tesco Mobile makes international communication simple and convenient with seamless connectivity - your device is ready to use abroad upon arrival, automatically connecting to local networks. Your data allowances and extra charges can vary according to where and how you use your phone:

• Home From Home Destinations: Enjoy calling, texting, and data from your monthly allowance in these select countries, just like at home.
• Calling and Texting Outside Home From Home: These services incur additional charges when used outside designated destinations. Are you dialling the UK from abroad? Simply use the regular number, omitting the country code. Remember, incoming calls are chargeable outside the Home From Home zones.

Data Usage: Leverage your monthly allowance within Home From Home destinations. Data roaming charges apply elsewhere. Consider disabling data roaming and utilising free Wi-Fi whenever possible to minimise costs.

It is worth noting that Tesco Mobile plans to introduce roaming charges from 1st January 2025.

Three Roaming

Effective 23 May 2022, Three brought back roaming charges for new customers and those who upgraded after October 2021. Here is a breakdown of the changes:

Daily Rates:

• EU: £2 per day for calls, texts, and data usage.
• Non-EU: £5 per day for calls, texts, and data usage.

Worldwide Data Roaming Cap:

• An automatic £45 cap is placed on data usage outside the UK. Opting out is possible but requires proactive action.
• This safeguard helps prevent bill shock upon returning from your trip.

Data Passports:

• £5 per day grants unlimited data usage for 24 hours at any destination.

Impact on Existing Customers:

• Users who joined or upgraded before October 2021 maintain free roaming within the EU.

Three have now re-introduced a number of tariffs that include a set number of inclusive roaming passes per year.

Vodafone Roaming

Vodafone divides the world into zones for roaming charges.

Zones:

• A: Europe (Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland, Norway) - Free roaming for all plans.
• B: Most European countries - Included in selected Pay Monthly Xtra Plans, otherwise £2.25 daily charge. Reduce cost with £10 (8 days) or £15 (15 days) passes.
• C: Other destinations (e.g., Australia, South Africa) - Included in some Xtra Plans, otherwise £6-£6.85 daily charge.
• D: Remote destinations - Pay per megabyte, minute, or text.
• Around the World: Pay As You Go zone - Similar to Zone C charges.
• Rest of the World: Pay per megabyte, minute, or text for both Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go.

It is wise to check your Xtra Plan for specific roaming inclusions before you travel. You can use the Vodafone Roaming Charge Checker tool for detailed costs for your destination. European Roaming passes offer cost savings for Zone B travel without inclusive plans. Pay As You Go customers have different zone structures and pay per use-outside Zone A.

Voxi Roaming

Europe Zone (Zone B) roaming requires a purchased pass:

• Passes available: 1 day, two days, eight days, 15 days.
• Pass cost: £2.25 - £15 (increases with duration).

Pass inclusions:

• Up to 20GB of data (whichever is less than your plan allowance).
• Unlimited texts (including MMS).
• Unlimited minutes.

Important notes:

• Pass duration starts from purchase, not first use.
• Without a pass, roaming is unavailable (except for receiving calls/texts).
• Passes are only valid in Voxi's Europe Zone.

Alternative options:

• Zone A (UK, Ireland, etc.): Roaming is included in all plans; no pass is needed.
• Travel outside Europe Zone: Consider Voxi Global Roaming Extras with separate costs and allowances.

Roaming FAQs

Can mobile network providers change their data roaming prices at any time?

Mobile providers must notify you at least 30 days before any changes to your data roaming charges. Regularly reviewing your provider's communications, including emails, ensures you are aware of potential cost adjustments before travelling internationally.

Do calls from the UK to the EU count as roaming data?

Calls from the UK to the EU are classed as international calls and don't count as data roaming. Data roaming is when you leave the UK and use your phone in another country.

How do I find out what my mobile provider's roaming charges are?

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on roaming charges specific to your plan and destination, visiting your mobile provider's website or contacting their customer service department for help is highly recommended.

Is there a difference between mobile data and data roaming?

When you travel internationally and use your phone to access the internet, browse social media, or navigate with maps, you engage in data roaming. This means your phone connects to a local network outside your home country to provide internet access. Your phone uses mobile data to make calls, send texts and access the internet.