Optus roaming in Europe: Plans, roaming packages, and pricing
Optus roaming in Europe lets you call, text, and use data abroad. Learn about plans, costs, and an alternative that can save you money while traveling.
If you are an Optus Australia customer, you can use your phone while traveling in Europe for calls, texts, and mobile data. However, roaming is not free, and charges can quickly increase depending on how much you use your phone abroad.
In this guide, we explain the costs, available roaming plans, and packages Optus offers. You will also discover an easy alternative with the Holafly eSIM, which can help you save money while staying connected.

Does Optus work in Europe?
Yes, Optus works in Europe. You can stay connected through four Optus roaming options: Optus Daily Roaming, Optus Roaming Pass, Standard Roaming Rates, and Prepaid Roaming Add-Ons.
Each option comes with different costs and allowances. For Europe, most destinations fall under Zone 1, while Zone 2 mainly includes countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America. Below is the list of European countries included in zones 1 and 2.
Zone 1 | Zone 2 |
---|---|
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City | Andorra, Kosovo, Monaco |
Optus roaming charges in Europe
Optus international roaming in Europe lets you stay connected through Daily Roaming, Roaming Passes, or Prepaid Add-ons. Each option has different pricing, data, and call allowances to match your travel needs.
Optus Daily Roaming
With Optus Daily Roaming, you can use your phone in over 150 Zone 1 destinations, including 40+ countries in Europe. For $5 per day, you get 5GB of data plus unlimited calls and texts for 24 hours.
If you use up your data, another 5GB is added automatically for an extra $5. This option is available on Choice Plus plans and other eligible Optus plans, making it a simple way to stay connected while traveling.
Optus Roaming Pass
The Optus Roaming Pass lets you stay connected in eligible Zone 1 countries, including Europe, for $10 per day. It provides 1GB of data plus unlimited calls and texts, lasting 24 hours.
If you are on an Optus Choice Direct Debit plan, you are automatically opted in, while other plans require you to activate the pass before you travel. If your destination is not eligible for this pass, you will be charged standard roaming rates instead.
Standard Roaming Rates
If your plan is not eligible for roaming add-ons, you will pay standard roaming rates when using your Optus phone abroad. These apply in both Zone 1 and Zone 2 countries. Rates are charged per minute for calls, per message for SMS or MMS, and per MB for data.
In Europe, you pay $1 per minute for calls and $1 per MB of data. Always check the latest rates on the Optus website before traveling.
Prepaid Roaming Add-Ons
With Optus Prepaid Roaming Add-ons, you can stay connected in Zone 1 European countries with an Optus prepaid plan. These add-ons are easy to set up before you travel, so your data works as soon as you land.
You can choose between a $5 add-on that gives you 1GB of data, 100 texts, and 100 minutes for 1 day, or a $35 add-on with 7GB of data, 700 texts, and 700 minutes for 7 days.
How to activate Optus roaming in Europe
Activating Optus roaming in Europe depends on the plan or add-on you choose. The steps are simple, but they vary slightly by option. Use the quick guide below to see what applies to you:
Roaming option | How to activate |
---|---|
Optus Daily Roaming | No setup needed. It activates automatically the first time you call, text, or use data overseas. Data Roaming needs to be enabled in your phone’s settings for mobile data to work. |
Optus Roaming Pass | If you are on a Choice Direct Debit plan, you are automatically opted in. Other eligible plans must activate through the My Optus app before you travel: open the app → More settings → International Roaming → Optus Roaming Pass → review and confirm Terms and Conditions. You’ll receive a confirmation and usage alert once active. |
Standard Roaming Rates | No activation required. Charges apply automatically when you use your phone abroad without an add-on. Just enable Data Roaming in your phone’s settings and confirm International Roaming is active in the My Optus app. |
Prepaid Roaming Add-ons | Open the My Optus app, tap Recharge, go to Add-ons, then select your roaming option and follow the prompts. Your allowance will start as soon as you land. |
How to reduce Optus Europe roaming charges?
Roaming with Optus in Europe can get expensive if you are not careful. To reduce roaming charges, you can:
- Choose Daily Roaming or a Roaming Pass instead of relying on standard rates. These give you fixed daily costs and clear allowances for data, calls, and texts.
- Monitor your usage in the My Optus app. Keeping track of data helps you avoid extra charges.
- Use prepaid add-ons if you prefer upfront costs on a prepaid plan. A $5 or $35 add-on can cover your needs without surprise fees.
- Rely on Wi-Fi when available for heavy activities like video calls or streaming, and save mobile data for essential tasks.
- Switch off background data in your phone’s settings to avoid apps consuming data without you noticing.
- Consider a tourist eSIM like Holafly for unlimited data in Europe. This lets you keep your Australian SIM for calls and texts while using affordable data on the eSIM.
Reduce Optus Europe roaming charges with Holafly
The Holafly eSIM for Europe offers unlimited data in more than 40 European countries at a fixed price starting at $3.90 for 1 day, with prices going as low as $1.55/day for the longer plans. All eSIMs also include hotspot sharing and 24/7 customer support.
You can purchase it online, scan a QR code, and activate the eSIM before your trip to enjoy instant connectivity as soon as you land. You can keep your Australian SIM card in your phone to receive calls and texts, while using Holafly for all your data needs.
If you’re planning an extended stay abroad, Holafly Plans has got you covered. It’s a pay-monthly eSIM subscription with coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide, which includes all the top destinations in Europe. Get your plan, stay online for as long as you need, and cancel anytime without long-term commitments or cancellation fees to worry about.
Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of Sep 17, 2025, and is subject to change.