Mobile data and roaming abroad – how to avoid paying too much

Not so long ago, travelling abroad meant dreading your phone bill. Today you can use your phone across the European Union almost as you would at home. Outside the EU, though, charges can be a nasty surprise. Here’s what to know before you go.

Roaming in the EU – “like at home”

Since 15 June 2017, the “Roam like at home” rule has applied in the European Union. When you travel to another EU country, you pay for calls, texts and mobile data at your home plan’s rates. The rule has been extended until 2032.

• It applies in all EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
• Calls from abroad to a number in your home country, or in the country you’re visiting, are charged on your plan.
• Calling another EU country from home isn’t roaming. It’s billed as an international call unless your plan includes it.
• Fair use policy – if you have a very large or unlimited data package, your operator may cap roaming data at a certain number of GB. Check your contract or your operator’s app.
• Roaming is meant for temporary travel. For a long stay abroad, your operator may warn you and start charging.

Outside the EU – take care

Outside the EU, your operator’s prices for that zone apply, and they can be very high.

• Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania – popular with Bulgarian travellers, but outside the EU. There are agreements to gradually cut roaming prices between the EU and the Western Balkans, but don’t rely on them without checking. Many operators sell special Balkan packages.
• Turkey – outside the EU, and roaming is expensive. Buy an operator package or a local or eSIM card.
• Switzerland – in Schengen but not in the EU, so roaming isn’t free.
• The UK – since Brexit, no longer part of “Roam like at home”. Some operators still include it – check.
• Ships and planes – on a cruise or flight, your phone can connect to a satellite network charged at very high rates. Switch to airplane mode.
• Border areas – near a non-EU border, your phone may latch onto a foreign network while you’re still at home. Select your network manually.

How to save

1. Check your plan before you leave – your operator’s app or website lists zones and prices.
2. Activate a roaming package – for non-EU countries, operators offer daily or weekly data packages that cost much less than standard rates.
3. Travel eSIM – most new phones support eSIM. Buy a data package online for a country or region and activate it in minutes, keeping your home number for calls.
4. Local SIM card – for a longer stay outside the EU, often the cheapest option.
5. Wi-Fi – in hotels, cafés, museums and on public transport. Use internet calling apps for calls.
6. Offline maps and translators – download them in advance.
7. Limit background data – turn off automatic updates and cloud photo backup while roaming.

Emergencies

The single European emergency number 112 is free from any phone in all EU countries and many others, even without a SIM card or credit.

See also Travelling solo – how to plan an independent trip.