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EE Dubai roaming: Plans, pricing, and alternatives
Explore the available EE roaming in Dubai plans, including costs and benefits. Explore other connectivity options like an eSIM to reduce roaming charges
If you’re an EE customer in the UK planning a trip to Dubai, data roaming is an easy way to stay connected. But how exactly does EE roaming work in Dubai? Keep reading as we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Aside from discussing pricing, limitations, and benefits of EE Dubai roaming, we also explore an alternative for your trip: using an eSIM for Dubai to help reduce roaming charges and other limitations.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Dubai. Use local networks at local rates.
Can I use my EE plan in Dubai?
Yes. EE roaming is available in Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates is included in Zone 1. EE offers different data roaming options and charges for Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go users.
Disclaimer: The data in this blog is accurate as of August 1, 2025, and is subject to change.
EE roaming charges in Dubai
Let’s discover how much each EE roaming plan costs and what they include.
Pay Monthly
These are the Pay Monthly plans that allow you to use your UK allowances while roaming at no extra cost:
- Full Works
- All Rounder Plan + Roam Abroad Pass
Full Works Plan
If your plan started before 29 August 2024:
- EE roaming in Dubai is not automatically included
- You must purchase a roaming pass to use your UK data/allowance:
| Pass type | Cost | Validity | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24‑hour roaming pass | £5 | 24 hr | Calls to UK & local, receive calls, send texts, and use data |
| 7‑day roaming pass | £25 | 7 days | Same as above |
You’ll receive a text on arrival in Dubai with a link to purchase a pass. Mobile data is blocked unless you buy a pass, and you’ll pay 2.34p/minute and 93p/SMS.
If your plan started on or after 29 August 2024:
- Roaming Like at Home is included
- You can use your UK allowance (data, calls, texts) in Zone 1 destinations like Dubai
- No pass needed. Just enable data roaming in your phone settings
All Rounder Plan
- Comes with one Inclusive Extra
- You must choose the Roam Abroad Pass to get free roaming in Dubai
To get free roaming in Dubai:
- Select the Roam Abroad Pass as your extra
- If you didn’t select the pass:
- You’ll need to pay £5/day or £25/7 days to use your UK allowance in Dubai
- Or wait until your billing cycle resets and switch your Extra
If you are on a different plan, such as No Frills or Essentials, your option is to buy a Travel Pass or pay the PAYG roaming rates.
No Frills / Essentials / Essentials Plus / Plans
- Roaming is not included
- You cannot choose Inclusive Extras
- If traveling to Dubai:
- Pay £5/day or £25/7 days to use your UK data/minutes/texts
- Or stay offline as your data will be blocked and you’ll pay 2.34p/minute and 93p/SMS
Pay As You Go
For pay-as-you-go users, here are the rates for each service:
- Make calls: £1.80/minute
- Receive calls: £1.80/minute
- Text messages: 60p per text
- MMS: 48p/message
- Data: Available as add-ons
To buy a Travel Pass before traveling, visit the relevant EE page, or wait until you land to purchase a pass, as EE will send you the link upon landing.
Note: You may be eligible for different add-ons and plans tailored to your personal account. Always check My EE App for the best information.
Tips to reduce your EE roaming charges in Dubai
EE Dubai roaming is an easy solution to stay connected when travelling while using your local data allowance. However, you can still reduce roaming charges, and using a Dubai SIM card can limit some apps during your trip.
Here are some tips to reduce your EE roaming charges and avoid app limitations:
- Use a Travel Pass for as long as possible: Relying on a Travel Pass, if you don’t have a Pay Monthly plan, is the most affordable way to use data roaming in Dubai. This said, you’ll need an unlimited plan for better connectivity.
- Buy weekly passes to save money: Rather than spending £5/day, you can pay £25/week to reduce your roaming charges. It’s a helpful option for extended trips.
- Use a travel eSIM instead: If you don’t have an unlimited plan or need more mobile data, using a travel eSIM is an alternative to EE roaming. Plus, you avoid app limitations, so WhatsApp works in Dubai like it does in the UK.
Use Holafly to avoid EE roaming charges in Dubai
While EE Dubai roaming is the preferred solution for Pay Monthly users, needing to spend extra on a Travel Pass might set your budget off.
With the eSIM for Dubai from Holafly, you can reduce roaming charges without limiting your connectivity. You get five days of unlimited data for £17 and 20 days for £50, which is lower than buying a weekly travel pass and lower than renting a pocket WiFi for Dubai.
This eSIM also gives you unlimited data, up to 500 MB of daily data tethering, 24/7 customer support, and no limitations on apps like WhatsApp.
But if you’re looking for a more complete plan because you work or live in Dubai, Holafly Plans is a great option.
Holafly Plans gives you unlimited data, unlimited tethering, 5G data speeds, and you can use the same plan in over 170 destinations at no extra cost for ~£48.11/month!
An eSIM you can rely on
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
