How Does EU Roaming Work?
EU roaming lets you use your phone while travelling in Europe, but how it works and what it costs can vary by network and plan.
What is EU roaming?
EU roaming is when your phone connects to a local mobile network while you’re travelling in Europe, so you can use data, calls and texts outside the UK. Instead of using your home network directly, your phone uses a partner network in the country you’re visiting.
How does EU roaming work?
In an EU destination, data roaming can start automatically once roaming is switched on in your account and phone settings.
Your mobile provider then applies the roaming terms linked to your plan, which could mean using your usual allowance, paying a daily charge or using a roaming add-on.
Your mobile provider then applies the roaming terms linked to your plan, which could mean using your usual allowance, paying a daily charge or using a roaming add-on.
What counts as “the EU” for roaming?
For roaming, “EU” can mean different things depending on the provider, so it’s best to check your exact destination before you travel.
Some networks include EEA countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, while other European destinations may sit in a separate roaming zone. For Sky Mobile users, explore the list of EU destinations.
Some networks include EEA countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, while other European destinations may sit in a separate roaming zone. For Sky Mobile users, explore the list of EU destinations.
Do you have to pay for EU roaming?
EU roaming isn’t automatically free for every UK customer, as charges depend on your network and plan. On Sky Mobile, Roaming Passport Plus lets you use your UK data, calls and texts in covered destinations for £2 a day.
You’re only charged on the days you use your phone abroad. Sky VIP Diamond customers may get global roaming at no extra cost in the 120 covered destinations
You’re only charged on the days you use your phone abroad. Sky VIP Diamond customers may get global roaming at no extra cost in the 120 covered destinations
What about roaming outside the EU?
Outside the EU, roaming costs depend on your network, plan and destination. With Sky Mobile, Roaming Passport Plus costs just £2 a day and covers 120 destinations worldwide, including eligible countries beyond Europe.
In covered EU destinations, the £2 daily charge starts when you use over 10MB of data or make a call or send a text to a UK number. Your usage is subject to Sky Mobile’s 25GB roaming fair usage policy per billing cycle.
However, ships and planes work differently. With Sky Mobile, mobile data isn’t available on cruises at sea, and data, calls and texts aren’t available over the air while flying. Use Wi-Fi where available or turn off data roaming if you’re unsure.
In covered EU destinations, the £2 daily charge starts when you use over 10MB of data or make a call or send a text to a UK number. Your usage is subject to Sky Mobile’s 25GB roaming fair usage policy per billing cycle.
However, ships and planes work differently. With Sky Mobile, mobile data isn’t available on cruises at sea, and data, calls and texts aren’t available over the air while flying. Use Wi-Fi where available or turn off data roaming if you’re unsure.
What should you check before you travel?
Before you travel, check your plan, destination and phone settings. These three things will tell you whether roaming is included, what you might pay, and whether your phone will work when you arrive.Check your mobile plan
Log into your account and check what your plan includes. See whether EU roaming is built in or whether you'll need a daily pass and note your fair use data limit before you go.
If your current plan doesn’t suit how often you travel, it may be worth comparing options before you swap mobile providers.
If your current plan doesn’t suit how often you travel, it may be worth comparing options before you swap mobile providers.
Check your destination
Roaming zones vary by provider, so check the exact country you’re visiting rather than assuming it’s included. Some nearby places, border areas, islands, cruise ports and destinations outside the EU can have different charges, even if they’re geographically close.Check your device settings
Make sure data roaming is switched on, as phones often disable it by default. Check your APN settings are correct before you travel.
It’s also worth turning off automatic app updates or cloud backups over mobile data, so they don’t use up your allowance in the background.
It’s also worth turning off automatic app updates or cloud backups over mobile data, so they don’t use up your allowance in the background.
Explore EU roaming with Sky Mobile
If you're not sure how your current plan handles EU roaming, it's worth checking the details before your next trip. With Sky Mobile, you can choose a mobile plan that works for how you use your phone at home and abroad.