Sky Mobile customer? You'll be charged to roam in Europe from today

Mobile firms were banned from charging customers extra fees to use their UK allowance of minutes, texts and data (subject to a fair use cap) in Europe while the UK was still part of the EU. But now the post-Brexit transition is over, these rules no longer apply.

Sky Mobile customers who use their handsets in Europe will automatically have a "Roaming Passport Plus" pass activated and added to their account when they make a call, send a text or use more than 10MB of data. The pass lasts for 24 hours, during which time customers can use their inclusive minutes, texts and data as normal. When the 24-hour pass expires, further passes will be triggered when the thresholds above are reached.

If you run out of data when roaming in a Passport Plus destination, you can use any unused data from previous months that's automatically stored in your 'Piggybank', but you'll still need to pay the £2 a day roaming charge.

Don't want to use your data abroad? Keep your data roaming switched off by going into your phone's settings - this'll prevent your carrier from automatically charging you. See our Cheap mobile and data roaming guide for info on how to use your phone abroad for less. 

It now costs Sky users £2 a day to roam in Europe and certain other destinations

Sky's Roaming Passport Plus allows customers to use their data in 57 destinations - see below for a full list.

When roaming in destinations that aren't included under the pass, you'll incur charges for all calls, texts and data used.

You MAY be able to leave penalty-free

If you're unhappy with the the reintroduction of roaming fees, you may be able to exit your contract with Sky Mobile penalty-free. But remember, there's no point leaving in a huff if your current deal is still the cheapest out there – so check rival providers' prices and roaming policies (see below for more on this).

Here are your rights if you want to leave Sky Mobile:

• Outside your minimum contract term with Sky Mobile? You can leave penalty-free at any time. To do this, contact Sky by phone (on 03337 593922), online or by post. You'll need to give 31 days' notice. If you're out of contract there's also a good chance you're paying over the odds, so check if you can find a better deal elsewhere. 

• Still in your minimum term for a Sky Mobile contract? Unfortunately you CAN'T leave penalty-free. You don't have the right to exit your contract penalty-free as a result of these roaming charges. However, if you're unhappy about the change it may still be worth trying to haggle with Sky. 

Other major mobile firms have also reintroduced European roaming fees

Sky Mobile is one of a number of providers to reintroduce European roaming charges:

• Vodafone introduced a £2 a day fee for data roaming in Europe on the 31 January 2022.

• EE introduced a £2 a day fee for using mobile data in Europe on 3 March 2022.

• Three will start charging customers a £2 a day fee for using their mobile data in Europe from 23 May 2022.

• Voxi, which is owned by Vodafone, will also charge customers £2 a day to use their mobile data in Europe from 27 May 2022.

If using your data in Europe is of importance, it may be worth looking at Virgin Media O2 tariffs - the firm has pledged to continue offering free mobile roaming in Europe. See our Cheap Mobile and Data Roaming guide for full help on the charges and how to avoid or minimise them.