Roaming
Using a local provider’s network whilst abroad is called roaming. Before Brexit, free roaming within the EU/EEA was mandated by law, but now it is up to each provider to set their own terms. When it comes to travelling to countries outside the EU, special rates and conditions usually apply, but there may be exceptions. On this page, we explain more about how roaming works, how to activate it on your device, and what to consider to avoid high roaming charges.
Roaming within the EU
The UK was covered by the EU’s roaming regulations before the Brexit agreement, and Britons could use their SIM only or pay as you go SIM as usual when travelling within the EU without additional costs. However, due to Brexit, Britons are no longer covered by these roaming regulations, at least not by law. However, some providers have chosen to continue offering free EU roaming, while others have reintroduced roaming charges for use within the EU.
Depending on which provider you have, you may need to pay to use your mobile (and the contract or pay as you go SIM) while travelling within the EU. We therefore recommend that you check with your specific provider for any additional charges or terms. If you can’t find enough information on the provider’s website, or if you feel uncertain about the terms in play, you can always contact the provider directly.
What applies in Ireland?
Since Northern Ireland is part of the UK, you don’t need to worry about roaming charges at all (as you’re technically not roaming). The Republic of Ireland, however, is not part of the UK, but due to its proximity to Northern Ireland and the UK, all British providers offer free roaming there as well.
Roaming outside the EU
Using your mobile outside the EU and Europe usually incurs additional charges, and since the government has now added 20 percent VAT on roaming charges outside the EU, the cost can be quite high. The exact roaming charges applicable vary between different countries, but some are definitely more expensive than others, such as Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
Many providers, however, offer specific roaming packages or add-ons that you can purchase for your mobile during your trip. We recommend that you check with your provider for any additional charges or offers.
What does Fair Usage Policy mean?
Fair Usage Policy (FUP) means that the provider can limit how much of your monthly data allowance can be used abroad (even if free roaming applies), which means you could incur high charges if you exceed the limit. However, it is up to each provider to determine the applicable limit, and the limit also varies depending on the type of service you have and how much data is included.
Let’s take a few examples. A pay as you go SIM with O2 offering 20 GB per month is limited by the FUP to 10 GB when using your mobile while travelling within the EU. If you are a pay as you go SIM customer with Three, you need to pay extra if you use more than 12 GB. With EE, a maximum of 25 GB of international data applies to all customers.
What roaming charges might apply abroad?
If you plan to take your mobile on a trip outside the UK, there are certain roaming charges you should be aware of. You may either need to pay a daily charge to use your phone abroad or a fee per MB of data you consume outside the UK. In some cases, you might actually need to pay both, as higher roaming charges apply if you use more data than is included in your monthly allowance.
The exact roaming charges applicable in each country outside the EU vary between providers, so to be on the safe side, you should always read through your provider’s international terms before you travel.
How to avoid high roaming charges
Check if your provider offers special roaming packages
Even if free roaming is not included in your contract or pay as you go SIM, there may be an option to purchase special roaming packages or add-ons that provide you with a set amount of data, minutes, and texts to use on your trip. You do have to pay for the add-on, but at least you avoid the roaming charges.
Use free WiFi when possible – but be mindful of security
Many hotels and cafés offer free WiFi, which is a great way to access the internet without having to pay for it. But there are certain things to keep in mind. Firstly, you should be cautious with unknown WiFi networks and only connect to those you truly trust. Secondly, some WiFi networks offer free usage for a limited time.
Do not opt out of the provider’s data usage cap
Today, all UK providers apply an automatic price cap for data usage abroad, and this cap is usually between £40 and £49. It is admittedly easy to opt out of the cap, but since it increases the risk of using more data than you might afford, we recommend sticking to the provider’s cap.
Double-check if your destination is covered by EU regulations or not
It might not be entirely easy to keep track of exactly which countries are covered by the EU (and thus the EU’s roaming regulations) and which are not. Some popular destinations that are not part of the EU include Turkey, Northern Cyprus, and Egypt.
Consider getting a local SIM card or eSIM
If you are going to be away for an extended period in a country where you do not have free roaming, it might actually be more cost-effective to get a local SIM card or eSIM for pay as you go SIM. However, remember that your mobile must be unlocked for you to use a local SIM card.
An option for those visiting several different countries is an international SIM card.
Can you roam freely with a pay as you go SIM?
With some providers, both contracts and pay as you go SIMs include free roaming within the EU, and in some cases, even in selected countries outside the EU. But as we have mentioned before, it cannot be taken for granted. Therefore, read through your provider’s international terms and which services may be included in free roaming.
Should roaming be on or off on your mobile?
If you are travelling to a country where you know your provider does not offer free roaming, it is a good idea to turn off roaming on your mobile to avoid unexpected charges on your bill causing a nasty surprise. If you need to use your mobile, you can temporarily enable roaming.
Remember to deactivate roaming even when you are on your way abroad, and then activate it once you have reached your destination. If you are near the border of another country (which may not be covered by the same roaming regulations as the country you are holidaying in), there is a risk that your mobile may connect to a network in that country, which could result in unexpected charges.
Please note! If you are travelling by boat or plane, there is a risk that the connection will be via satellite systems. In that case, any roaming rules do not apply, and you will need to pay to use your mobile. To avoid additional charges, it may be wise to turn off roaming on your mobile while you are on board, or alternatively activate flight mode.
However, you should have roaming enabled when you are in a country where you have free roaming (or at least know what roaming charges to expect) and want to connect to a local network. While you can have roaming enabled even when you’re at home, there’s not much point in doing so since you can use your own provider’s network.
How to enable/disable roaming on iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Choose Network.
- Select Mobile data options.
- Enable or disable Data roaming.
How to enable/disable roaming on Android
- Open the menu.
- Select Settings >Connections.
- Click on Network.
- Enable or disable Data roaming.
Above, we show how it might look to manage roaming on your mobile, but the menu options and steps taken may vary slightly between different models. With Android, the options will naturally vary across the wide range of mobiles. The example above applies to a relatively new Samsung Galaxy.
