You’re dreaming of sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and icy cocktails. The sunshine beckons. But before you jet off, it’s important to think about how you’re going to be using your phone abroad.
Selfies and social media posts are fun in the moment – and are great for making your friends jealous – but you might end up with a nasty surprise when your next phone bill arrives. Read on for an explanation of roaming charges and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
Check your network’s roaming policy
The first thing to do before travelling is to check your network’s roaming policy. Every network has one, and it should be readily available on their website.
A network’s roaming policy lays out where in the world you’ll be able to use your data, texts and calls, and any charges you might incur for doing so. It’s always worth checking for any policy updates before you travel, as things can change at any time.
For instance, prior to Brexit travellers from the UK could use their phones in EU countries with no extra charges. Now, however, many providers have reintroduced fees for roaming anywhere outside of the UK.
Understanding roaming charges and fair use limits
What exactly is roaming, though? And what are fair use limits? Who makes up these words anyway?
Well, it’s actually pretty straightforward.
When you travel outside of your network provider’s coverage area – which usually means leaving the UK – your device will search around for another mobile network to use. Sort of like going to a friend’s house and connecting to their WiFi.
It all works because of existing agreements between mobile providers from different countries, but those agreements come with a cost – and that’s where roaming charges come in.
Your provider may also have a roaming data fair use policy, which is essentially a limit on how much data you can use at your regular domestic price. If you go over that limit, you may be subject to a surcharge.
The amount of that extra fee is up to your provider – again, be sure to check their terms and conditions before travelling – but, in the EU at least, cannot be higher than the EU-wide wholesale data cap.
This is currently (as of 2025) set at €1.30 per GB of data (plus VAT), but is set to decrease over time and from 2027 onwards will reduce to €1 per GB (plus VAT).
How to avoid high charges
If you’ve done your research before travelling and know the limits set by your provider, you should be able to avoid high charges pretty easily. However, there are a few extra things you can do to make sure there are no nasty bills waiting for you when you return home.
- Get a roaming add-on or pass – If your current service doesn’t include any roaming options, it could cost you quite a bit to use your phone abroad. To get around this, you can purchase a roaming add-on or pass, which most network providers should offer.
These add-ons work for a limited time – perfect for a holiday – and will activate roaming on your SIM, allowing you to use your calls, texts and data for a small daily charge (usually around £2/day).
With these add-ons, you would normally only pay for the days when you use your data, meaning you can choose a time that suits you. However, if you’re planning on using your phone throughout your holiday, you might rack up a pretty hefty bill. - Buy a temporary SIM – If your phone is unlocked, you might consider getting a cheap pay-as-you-go SIM from a network that offers a good roaming package. Some will allow you to use your calls, texts and data at no extra cost, allowing you to stay in touch while you’re away.
However, bear in mind that your loved ones will have to use a different number to get in touch with you. - Use WiFi whenever you can – It’s likely that your hotel will have free guest WiFi, and so will a lot of other places. Stopping at a restaurant or bar? Check if they have WiFi and catch up on your messages.
While you’re connected, it’s also a good idea to download in advance any maps or content you might need during the day. - Turn off your data – Of course, a holiday is the perfect opportunity to turn off your data and just disconnect from the world for a while. Make sure your data is off, or your phone is in airplane mode, and you won’t be hit with any surprise charges.
Or any unwelcome work emails, for that matter.
Alternatives to roaming
Not happy with your provider’s roaming policies? A good option might be to check out an alternative, temporary SIM – provided your phone is unlocked, of course.
Some UK providers, such as Three, offer pay-as-you-go SIMs specially geared towards travel. Just buy a SIM, top it up and you’ll be able to use all of your available calls, texts and data abroad at no extra charge.
Another option would be to pick up a local SIM at your destination. These should be readily available at the airport, or in any major city. However, bear in mind that with both of these options, your loved ones will have to use a different number to get in touch with you.
If it’s just data that you’re after, you might even want to consider a specialised travel eSIM. These virtual SIMs work harmoniously alongside your regular SIM, providing affordably priced data during your travels, while allowing you to retain your number for calls and texts.
There are a number available on the market currently, including Saily, Holafly and Roamless, and would be a good option if you plan on using your data intensively while travelling.
Travel checklist
Your plane tickets are booked, your luggage is packed and you’re ready to go. But it’s always worth double checking that you’ve got everything covered.
Here’s our essential checklist for roaming abroad:
- Check your plan, and your provider’s roaming charges.
- Buy your roaming add-on or temporary SIM
- Unlock your phone (if necessary)
- Download maps and essential apps
- Don’t forget to pack your toothbrush
