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EU Roaming: How to stay connected across Europe
EU roaming, or Roam Like at Home, ensures free roaming services throughout the EU and several other European countries when traveling abroad.
EU Roaming, also known as Roam Like at Home, is a European Union-wide policy that allows you to use roaming services and enjoy the same quality mobile services at no extra cost. The agreement includes most countries in the EU, as well as some European countries outside the union.
Follow along to learn more about EU roaming, whether your plan is included, and the countries covered. If you’re in one of the Roam Like at Home countries, consider getting a Holafly eSIM for Europe to stay connected instead.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Europe. Use local networks at local rates.
How does roaming in Europe work?
The EU-wide roaming policy, established in 2017, covers 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Recently, Ukraine and Moldova have joined as well. The policy ensures that you can enjoy mobile data usage, calls, and texts within these countries at no extra cost. All you need is data roaming enabled on your phone.
Notably, you don’t need to be a resident of either of these countries to enjoy free roaming in Europe. If you’re coming over from a country that doesn’t cover EU roaming, all you need to do is get a prepaid European SIM card, and you’ll be able to roam at exactly the same terms.
Which countries are covered by EU roaming?
All EU roaming plans include the following countries:
| Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Ukraine, and Moldova. |
On top of that, some plans include additional countries and regions. Keep in mind that international roaming in these destinations isn’t included in every plan, so make sure to double-check your coverage before travelling:
| Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira (Portugal), French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint Martin (France), the UK, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. |
Roaming regulations within the EU
The EU’s roaming services provide a lot of convenience and save you from roaming fees while traveling. However, there are a few things you should know before you start using data services, making calls, or sending texts abroad.
- Data limit: Your roaming data allowance might not match your regular allowance at home. Make sure to double-check your plan and adjust your data roaming usage accordingly throughout the trip.
- Fair usage limit: Every service provider may have a different fair usage limit. However, you’re expected to only use free EU roaming for travel. If you consistently use more data abroad than at home over several months, your provider may contact you or apply additional roaming charges.
- Voice calls and texts: Charges for mobile services such as phone calls and texts in EU roaming countries are the same as those on your local network.
Do UK citizens need to pay roaming charges in the EU?
Since January 1st, 2021, the UK is no longer a part of the Roam Like at Home countries. This means that UK cell service providers are no longer required to offer free roaming in Europe.
That said, some providers, including Giffgaff, O2, and BT, still offer free EU roaming with all plans. Others, such as Three, EE, and Vodafone, charge additional fees for using your mobile phone abroad. If EU roaming is a priority and your current plan doesn’t include it, consider switching to a different service provider.
For provider-specific information, check out our EU roaming blogs for providers in the UK:
Do EU residents have data roaming costs in the UK?
The legal situation for EU residents roaming in the UK is the same as it is for UK residents in Europe. However, while not required by law, most service providers in Europe still offer free roaming in the UK.
Be sure to verify your mobile provider offers free roaming in the UK, as well as how much data, calls, and text messages are included for use abroad.
Enjoy unlimited data usage in the EU with Holafly
Don’t have a phone plan that covers EU roaming? Instead of looking for local SIM card options abroad, get a Holafly eSIM instead. Its eSIM plan for Europe offers unlimited data in 33 European countries, including the UK, allowing you to travel throughout the continent without having to worry about staying connected.
Prices range from €3.79 to €1.43/day, with flexible plan duration options from 1 to 90 days. Choose a plan to match the duration of your trip, activate it within minutes, and enjoy unlimited data wherever you are.
Need a long-term solution or wider coverage? Holafly Plans is a pay-monthly eSIM subscription that covers 160+ destinations worldwide, including most of Europe. No long-term contracts or cancellation fees are required, so you can travel the world with your plan and simply cancel it whenever you’re back home.
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With a Trustpilot rating of 4.6/5 from 50,000+ reviews, our eSIMs come with a seal of approval.
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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.
