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While international roaming can significantly increase your travel costs, some cell service providers offer free roaming in certain countries, allowing you to get mobile data, make calls, and send texts abroad at no extra cost.

Let’s take a closer look at the free roaming countries offered by some of the most popular service providers in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.  That way, you’ll know exactly where you can use data roaming without additional fees.

Is data roaming free?

While data roaming is generally not free, some providers can offer free roaming in certain countries or areas, allowing you to avoid roaming charges when traveling. Usually, free roaming applies to neighbouring countries that customers visit frequently.

A major exception is EU roaming — an agreement between European Union countries that enables free roaming throughout all countries in the Union.

Countries with free international roaming for UK travelers

Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, some UK-based mobile network providers continue to offer free roaming data, calls, and texts in European countries. This allows you to use your phone as you would at home, without needing to purchase a local SIM card for every country you visit. 

ProviderFree roaming countriesRoaming data limit
O2 roaming48 European countries with all plans, up to 123 destinations with the more expensive plansUp to 25 GB/month
Three roaming Not included by default, up to 160+ destinations with the more expensive plansUp to 12GB/month
EE roamingNot included by default, up to 160+ destinations with the more expensive plansUse your regular UK monthly allowance in the covered destinations
Vodafone UK roamingNot offered with the basic plan, up to 83 destinations with the more expensive plansUp to 25 GB/month
Lebara roamingAll of the EU+India with all plansUp to 30 GB/month

It’s worth noting that most pay-monthly plans in the UK cover free EU roaming if they were started before the UK’s exit from the EU. Although new plans may not cover it, your existing plan may include EU-wide internet access at no additional cost.

Countries with free international roaming for US travelers

If you’re based in the US, your cell service provider may offer free roaming in Canada and roaming in Mexico. You can use your mobile phone for voice calls, cellular data, and across North America at no extra cost. That said, free roaming in other destinations is uncommon unless you pay extra for a roaming-inclusive plan.

ProviderFree roaming countriesRoaming data limit
Verizon roamingNot included in base plans, up to 200+ destinations with the more expensive plansUp to unlimited data
T-Mobile roamingCanada and Mexico with most plans, up to 215 destinations with the more expensive plansUp to unlimited data
AT&T roamingCanada and Mexico with most plans, 20 Latin American destinations with the more expensive plansUp to unlimited data

Countries with free international roaming for Canadian travelers

Most Canadian cell service providers include roaming in the USA and Mexico with select monthly plans. However, if you want to use your cell phone outside of North America, you’ll likely have to pay extra. 

ProviderFree roaming countriesRoaming data limit
Rogers roamingNot included in base plans, up to 64 destinations with the more expensive plansAccess your monthly data allowance abroad
Bell roamingNot included in base plans, up to 65 destinations with the most expansive plansAccess your monthly data allowance abroad
TELUS roamingNot included in base plans, up to 68 destinations with the most expansive plansAccess your monthly data allowance abroad

Countries with free international roaming for Australian travelers

If you’re an Australian traveling abroad, it’s likely that your regular monthly mobile plan doesn’t cover international roaming. Most plans by local providers such as Optus or Vodafone AU don’t offer any roaming-inclusive options. You’ll have to get a roaming pass or look into other options, such as prepaid physical SIM cards or eSIMs, to stay connected abroad.

How to tell if you have free roaming

Unsure if your plan includes free roaming in the destination you plan to visit? All you have to do is check the details of your current phone plan. To do so, log in to your account on the service provider’s website or app and look for plan details

Make sure you do so before your next trip, as you can be subject to high roaming charges if you use your phone abroad without free roaming included in your plan.

Enjoy unlimited data wherever you go with Holafly

If you don’t have free roaming for your next travel destination, don’t rush into upgrading your monthly plan or getting a roaming pass. Holafly offers unlimited eSIM plans for 200+ destinations for as little as $1.55/day, depending on your destination and the duration of your trip.

On top of unlimited data, all plans include 24/7 customer support and hotspot sharing, which ensures a reliable connection at all times. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone and an internet connection while you buy and set up your plan.

If you need long-term coverage, Holafly Plans offers coverage in 160+ destinations with a single pay-monthly eSIM plan. Simply choose a plan that suits your needs, stay connected worldwide for as long as you need, and cancel anytime at no extra cost.

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Rokas Aniulis

Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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