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Cheap mobile and data roaming
Use your phone abroad for less, including roam free trick
Whether you want to be a global jet-setter, or just take the odd trip abroad, this guide will show you how to use your phone as cheaply as possible – and how to avoid racking up a huge bill, particularly important as some firms are changing how roaming works.
Quick tips to use your mobile abroad for less
Under the 'Roam Like At Home' rules introduced by the EU, you could use your UK allowance of minutes, texts and data without paying any extra charges in one of these 30 countries, subject to 'fair usage' rules. Together they're known as the 'European Economic Area' (which includes the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
Since Brexit, many firms have now brought back roaming fees in Europe, including major providers EE, Vodafone and Three. We've a full breakdown of what fees you may face below. Some firms have told us they've no plans to bring back roaming fees – although this isn't an indefinite guarantee, and they could always change their approach in future.
Provider | Charges | Who is affected? | What counts as a day? |
Asda Mobile | No extra charges on up to 5GB of data |
- | - |
BT Mobile | No extra charges |
- | - |
EE | £2/day for contracts – no extra charges for pay-as-you-go | Those who took out new contracts or renewed after 6 July 2021. If you took out a new contract or renewed before this date, you won't pay the extra charges. | Until 11.59pm on the day you connect to a network overseas (UK time) |
Giffgaff | No extra charges on up to 5GB of data | All customers | TBC |
iD Mobile | No extra charges | - | - |
Lebara | No extra charges | - | - |
O2 | No extra charges | - | - |
Plusnet | No extra charges | - | - |
Sky | £2/day | All customers | 24 hours from first use |
Smarty | No extra charges on up to 12GB of data | - | - |
Tesco | From 'Late Spring 2023' | Pay-monthly users who joined or upgraded from 16 June 2022 | TBC |
Three | £2/day for contracts – no extra charges for pay-as-you-go | Those who took out new contracts or renewed on or from 1 October 2021. If you took out a new contract or renewed before this date, you won't pay the extra charges. | 24 hours from first use |
Virgin | No extra charges | - | - |
Vodafone | £2/day (or £1/day if you buy an 8 or 15-day bundle) for contracts – no extra charges for pay-as-you-go | Those who took out new contracts or renewed on or after 11 August 2021, unless you're on one of its 'Xtra' plans with 4 Xtra benefits. If you took out a new contract or renewed before this date, you won't pay the extra charges. | 24 hours from first use |
Voxi | £2/day (or £1/day if you buy an 8 or 15-day bundle) from 23 June 2022 (1) | All customers. | 24 hours from 12.01am the day after you purchase a pass |
(1) You must buy a roaming pass to use your allowance in Europe with Voxi.
How you can avoid roaming charges in Europe
While roaming fees aren't huge, if your provider has announced that it's bringing them back, there are a few ways you can get around it.
- Don't renew your contract if you're with Vodafone or EE (with Three it might be harder to avoid)
If you're with one of the three major providers to announce changes to their roaming charges, don't renew your contract – just let it roll on. Whether you're affected by the charges depends on when you signed up for your contract (see info in our roaming charges table above). So if you're not affected by the changes and don't renew your contract, generally you'll pay the same price on a rolling monthly contract. Beware, though, we've seen Three force customers to renew their contracts.
- Switch to a provider that's still offering free roaming in Europe
While three of the big four firms are introducing charges for roaming in Europe, O2 and some smaller networks such as iD Mobile and Smarty aren't yet and if you take out a new contract now, it's likely you can keep the benefits for the length of the contract, even if the firm introduces charges later.
To find the cheapest deals, use our Cheap Mobile Finder. You can also get the same signal you had with Three, Vodafone or EE by using a firm that piggybacks on their network – just select that in the cheapest Sim tool options and it'll show you all firms using that network. See the below table for information on which piggybacking networks you can use to get the signal of larger networks.
Main network | Piggybackers that offer free roaming |
Vodafone | Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile, Virgin Mobile |
Three | iD Mobile, Smarty |
EE | BT Mobile, Plusnet |
O2 | Giffgaff |
- It's worth noting, though, that if you're happy with your current deal and don't go away often, it's probably not worth changing provider just for roaming benefits. If you do go away very frequently, it might be worth looking at a local or global Sim.
Grab a Three pay-as-you-go
Although Three is scrapping free roaming for pay-monthly customers, it will still offer free roaming on its pay-as-you-go Sims. Check out our tip to roam for free in Europe and beyond.
You could still face roaming charges if you exceed data limits
Whether firms charge for roaming or not, most networks have 'fair use' policies, which means they can restrict your full UK allowance – so you could run out of data quicker than at home, and be charged for using more. This ranges from 12GB to no cap depending on the firm.
To protect travellers from huge unexpected bills, the UK Government has set the limit on charges for roaming at £45 per monthly billing period when you're travelling anywhere in the world – not just within the EU (a feature of EU roaming rules). You'll get warnings when you're close, and once you hit the limit your data services will stop, unless you actively choose to continue.
You can set your own spending cap
You can add a spending cap which means you won't be able to exceed a set limit, so you can avoid any unexpected bills. This will cover costs incurred by data roaming, calls and texts. You can do this via your network's website or app, though if in doubt just call it and ask.
Outside the EU, bundles are more expensive and some providers charge a gobsmacking £7/MB for data (though firms cap your spend at £45 for data) and £3/minute to make or receive a call, so if you're not careful your mobile bill could set you back a lot.
This includes some popular holiday hot spots, so here are our top tips to cut costs while travelling further afield.
How to cut roaming costs
There are a lot of factors that make a Sim right for you, for instance, if you can get decent coverage in your area, or extra perks and offers. In most cases, if you're happy with your current deal for UK use it's not worth switching completely for a network that offers cheap roaming. But if being able to use your allowance outside of Europe without breaking the bank is important to you, Three is the only network that really stands out and we've a trick to get its Sim without switching networks in the box below.
Trick to beat the new roaming charges – roam in Europe and 41 other countries for no extra charge, whatever network you're on
Three is charging pay-monthly contract customers for roaming, but the new charges won't apply to its pay-as-you-go customers, which means, even if you're not a Three customer, there's a trick to still grab a Go Roam deal. The deal lets you use your standard allowance in 71 destinations – 41 additional locations outside of Europe – including Australia and the USA.
Just order one of its free pay-as-you-go Sims*, top it up (you can get 4GB for £19, for example) and then pop it into your handset while you're away. You'll have to use the new number (and have an unlocked phone) and need to top it up and use it in the UK at least once first. You'll also need to use it once every six months to keep it active.
And to be clear, this is about getting an additional Sim just to use for roaming, not replacing your current one.
If you're out of contract and thinking of switching anyway (or just want to know what your provider offers), see how many countries each network allows roaming in on its different plans below. Then you can check our Cheap Mobile Finder tool for the cheapest way to get your new Sim (and handset if needed).
How using your UK allowance abroad currently varies by network, depending on your plan
Network | Plan | No. of destinations you can use your UK allowance in without extra charges |
Three* |
Go Roam is available on all pay-monthly (1) or pay-as-you-go (2) plans | 71 destinations (22 outside of Europe including USA). None on pay monthly after 23 May 2022 |
Vodafone* | Unlimited Data Xtra | 83 destinations (32 outside of Europe including Australia and Canada) |
Limited Data Xtra |
51 destinations (none outside of Europe) | |
All standard pay-monthly plans |
None | |
Unlimited pay-as-you-go bundle |
51 destinations (none outside of Europe) | |
Limited Data pay-as-you-go bundles | None | |
'Red Entertainment' plan (3) |
83 destinations (32 outside of Europe including Australia and Canada) | |
EE | Smart plan (with added Roam Further pass) (4) |
52 destinations (5 outside Europe including USA and Mexico) |
All other plans (including the 'Essential' plan) |
None | |
iD Mobile* | All standard pay-monthly plans | 50 destinations (2 outside of Europe) |
O2* | Selected pay-monthly and O2 Refresh plans |
75 destinations (26 outside of Europe including USA and Argentina) |
Other pay-monthly plans (including its 'Premium International Big Bundle') | 48 destinations (none outside of Europe) | |
Pay-as-you-go plans (including its standard 'International Big Bundle') | 29 destinations (none outside of Europe) |
Correct as of March 2023, but some providers' roaming policies are changing this year. (1) Excludes those on legacy 'Essential' plans. (2) To use Go Roam on its pay-as-you-go Sim, you have to use the Sim in the UK at least once first. (3) Red Entertainment plans bought between 4 Sept 2018 and 9 July 2019. (4) If you sign up to one of EE's Smart plans, you can add the Roam Further pass as one of its 'Smart Benefits' at the checkout and it will be available for the duration of your contract.
Check out your provider's roaming rates and charges to add extra countries
If you're a pay-monthly customer, it's worth checking if you can get an overseas data bundle from your network, as these can often work out cheaper than its standard rates. We list the major providers' offerings below – bear in mind though that even buying a bundle can work out expensive (a two-week trip could set you back £80+), so it might just be better to keep your phone off or stick to the free Wi-Fi.

TABLE_CELL_STYLEProvider | Roaming add-ons | Standard rates (1) | ||
Data | Calls | Texts | ||
EE | For Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the USA, you can add the Roam Abroad pass which lets you use your UK allowance for an extra £10/mth on a rolling 30-day contract.
Alternatively, and for other destinations including China, India and South Africa, it offers: the Travel Data pass – 500MB from an extra £5.02 to £6.27/day, depending on the destination.
|
N/A (2) | £1.20/min | 60p |
O2* | If a country isn't covered by your plan, O2 offers: O2 Travel* – unltd data, unltd mins & unltd texts for an extra £6/day. | £7.20/MB | £2/min | 50p |
Three* | Three's standard Go Roam (3) includes 71 destinations, including the USA and New Zealand.
Otherwise, you'll be charged its expensive standard roaming rates (see right). Check how much your destination would cost before you travel. |
£6/MB | £3/min | 35p |
Vodafone* | If you require an add-on, Vodafone offers: Roam Further* – use your UK allowance in 107 destinations for an extra £6/day. | 12p/MB | 60p/min | 8p |
Table correct as of May 2022. (1) Based on standard roaming rates for Morocco, chosen as an example destination. (2) EE customers can't use the internet on their phone abroad unless they buy a data add-on. (3) Go Roam will not be available after 23 May 2022, unless you signed up before 1 October 2021 or are on one of its pay-as-you-go plans.
Many of the fee-paying packages also bill you on a recurring basis, so you'll continue to be charged until you cancel. If you're only going away for a short time, simply cancel once you get home.
What time period do these passes apply for?
Time periods passes are valid for can vary
Network | Time period (rest of world) |
Vodafone | Until 11.59pm on the day of first use (2) in the capital of the country you're in |
EE | Until 11.59pm on the day of first use (UK time) |
Three | 24 hours from first use |
O2 (1) | 24 hours from first use |
Sky Mobile | 24 hours from first use |
(1) For some on the old O2 system, it will be from midnight to 11.59pm based on the capital of the country you're in. We're trying to find out who specifically is affected by this. (2) 'First use' means making a call, sending a text or using mobile data.
Frequent traveller or going to be using your phone a lot abroad? Consider switching to a local or global Sim
If you're a frequent traveller, plan to use your phone a lot or are going away for a bit longer than usual, you may be better off getting a specialist Sim.
If you're not travelling to one of the destinations covered by Three's Go Roam service and can't rely on free Wi-Fi, these may be the most cost-effective way to use your phone. But it can be a fiddly process, and there's no easy solution to finding the best deal. With most Sims, you'll also need an unlocked mobile (or mobile device).
There are two main options – a local pay-as-you-go Sim or a prepaid global Sim.
A pay-as-you-go local Sim (bought on arrival) or a prepaid local Sim
If you're heading to one destination for an extended period, and you don't get free roaming, the cheapest option is usually to buy a local Sim card when you arrive at your destination or before you travel.
Getting info on networks and rates isn't easy, but Wikipedia lists the mobile networks available in every country, including:
Australia | France | Germany | Greece | Poland | Spain | USA
Once you know which providers operate in the country you're travelling to, it's possible to compare deals on their sites before you go, and buy a pay-as-you-go Sim card when you get there.
We've some comparisons in the table below to give you an idea of how much they cost. It's worth noting you'll get a different number to your UK one, which can be a hassle. Also, the minutes and texts you get are usually limited to the country you're in, so it's best to use an app like WhatsApp to message or call. As always, though, the cheapest option is just to use Wi-Fi in hotels or cafes if you can.
Cost and allowances for local sims
Country | Local Sim (network) | Using UK allowance for 30 days |
Spain | €9.95/month (£8.32) for 10GB (Orange) | EE: £60, or £10 for a 30 day roaming pass if you are on an essential plan
Vodafone: £30 for two 15-day passes
Three: £60
O2: No charge as it stands |
United States | $30/month (£21.99) for 5GB (AT&T) | EE: £150.60 for 500Mb/day
Vodafone: £180
Three: £150
O2: £149.70 |
India | ₹209 for 28 days (£2.18) for 1GB (Jio) | EE: £188.10 for 500Mb/day
Vodafone: £180
Three: £3/Mb
O2: £7.20/Mb |
A prepaid global Sim
Here you use a specialist multi-country Sim card, known as a global or international Sim. While not as cheap as a local card, you only need to buy it once. It can be a good option if you're a frequent traveller to different countries, and you don't want the hassle of swapping in local Sims each time. While it can differ by provider, here's how they typically work:
- You buy the global Sim card online before you travel, and use this while you're abroad. This means you'll need an unlocked phone as you'll need to swap the global Sim for your UK one when travelling. You'll also get a separate number, which can be a hassle. You can order these online, and it's best to buy before you travel.
- You 'top up' to get data, texts and minutes for each country you visit. You can buy prepaid bundles or use pay-as-you-go for each country you visit – though prepaid bundles tend to be cheaper. This is all done on the same Sim card, meaning you keep the same number when visiting multiple countries.
What's more, incoming calls to a global Sim will be free for you, though they may not be free for the person calling you.
How much does it cost to use a global Sim?
There are a number of providers to check, but the main ones we found were TravelSim and WorldSim.
In the table below, we've some examples of what a global Sim could cost you. The examples are based on the cost of 100 minutes and texts to the UK, and grabbing a 2 or 1GB bundle of data. The data is for use within the country you're in. It is pricey, so try to use Wi-Fi as much as possible.
WorldSim prices by country
WorldSim | ||||
Country | Data | Minutes (1) | Texts | Price (2) |
Thailand | 2GB data | 100 | 100 | £33 |
USA | 2GB data | 100 | 100 | £36 |
Israel | 2GB data | 100 | 100 | £48 |
(1) Prices based on making calls to the UK. (2) Prices based on buying data bundles and using pay-as-you-go rates for minutes and texts.
TravelSim prices by country
TravelSim | ||||
Country | Data | Minutes (1) | Texts | Price (2) |
Thailand | 1GB data | 100 | 100 | £126 |
USA | 1GB data | 100 | 100 | £62 |
Israel | 1GB data | 100 | 100 | £71 |
(1) Prices based on making calls to the UK. (2) Prices are for a group of countries as TravelSim offers package deals and are based on buying data bundles and using pay-as-you-go rates for minutes and texts.
It's worth noting TravelSim offers country 'Zones' so for example, when you select Thailand, you can also use the allowance in a number of other countries. Call and text rates will generally remain different depending on the country. You get more info on TravelSim's 'zones' on its website.
Should you get a local or a Global Sim?
If you're a bog-standard traveller who goes on holiday for two weeks a year, these aren't for you. These are for frequent travellers or those who spend a lot of time abroad.
Think about your travelling habits. If you're heading to one international destination for an extended period, then a local Sim is likely to be the best option – provided you don't get free roaming with your UK Sim.
If you regularly travel to multiple different countries, then a global Sim might be a better option, as it saves you the trouble of signing up to a local Sim in each individual country, and constantly swapping between Sim cards. A local Sim will almost always be cheaper, but involves a lot more hassle if you're country-hopping.
But as always, avoiding getting a local or global Sim and simply connecting to the Wi-Fi wherever you are is the most money-saving option.
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