Data roaming charges compared by provider

While some networks still offer inclusive EU roaming (at least up to a certain data limit), others now charge anywhere from £2 to £7.86 per day, depending on where you travel. Head further afield and the costs can be even steeper — with some out-of-bundle rates hitting £9.60 per megabyte (MB).

We've rounded up the roaming rules for all the major UK mobile networks, so you can see at a glance who still includes EU usage for free, and where daily charges apply for trips beyond Europe.

Use the table below to compare EU and non-EU roaming costs — and scroll further for a full provider-by-provider breakdown.

Vodafone

Vodafone splits the world into four roaming zones.

Zone A: Free in Ireland, the Isle of Man, Iceland and Norway.

Zone B: Europe and EU member states (48 destinations) - £2.57 a day for customers without the Xtra Euro Roam plan.

Zone C: 32 destinations including the US, Australia, Barbados and South Africa - £7.86 a day for customers without the Xtra Global Roam plan.

Zone D: 73 destinations from Argentina to Uzbekistan and Vietnam - £7.86 a day.

Vodafone also offers travel passes (8 days for £15, 15 days for £20) as a bundle option.

O2

O2 is one of the few providers still offering free EU roaming as standard.

Both pay monthly and pay-as-you-go customers can use up to 25GB of data in the Europe Zone without charge.

For travel outside Europe, costs vary depending on your plan. Some customers have O2 Travel Inclusive Zones, which cover destinations like the US, Australia and New Zealand.

If not, you can purchase a bolt-on for £7/day to access roaming in 63 countries.

Those on the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate plan get free roaming in 75 destinations outside Europe.

Three

Three's Go Roam service splits charges into Europe and global tiers. Travelling in 49 European destinations will cost £2/day, while Go Roam Global (22 destinations) is £5/day, and Global Extra (92 countries) costs £7/day.

These charges apply to new customers from 1 October 2021 onwards — older customers still enjoy free roaming. There’s also a 12GB fair usage limit for pay monthly users and 9GB for pay-as-you-go.

EE

EE includes EU roaming in plans that began before 7 July 2021.

For newer contracts, roaming in Europe costs £2.59/day, with a generous 50GB fair use limit.

Travelling further afield is more expensive: the US, China and Australia are charged at £5/day or £25 for 7 days, while countries like Brazil or Japan cost £7.50/day for just 500MB.

EE removed its monthly Roam Abroad Pass in December 2023, so roaming now comes as a pay-as-you-go extra.

BT Mobile

BT Mobile offers free roaming in 47 European destinations under its Roam Like Home scheme.

Outside Europe, customers can purchase a Mobile Travel Data Pass for £6.79, which gives 500MB of data for 24 hours. This covers 12 popular countries including the US, UAE and Australia. Voice and text charges outside these destinations will depend on the country.

Giffgaff

Giffgaff allows free EU roaming with a 5GB fair use cap.

If you exceed this or travel beyond the 37 included countries, you'll need to top up and pay 10p per MB or by the minute/text depending on the location.

It's simple and flexible, but heavy data users may want to consider a bolt-on or cap their use manually when abroad.

Tesco Mobile

Tesco Mobile includes free roaming in 48 ‘Home from Home’ destinations, including most of Europe, until 2026.

Outside this zone, data is priced at £5 per MB and texts cost around 40p, though charges vary. To avoid bill shock, Tesco automatically caps data spend at £40, unless the customer has chosen to override it.

Sky Mobile

Sky Mobile offers its Roaming Passport Plus, which gives access to your UK data and minutes for £2 per day in over 55 destinations, including the EU, US and Australia.

The 24-hour pass auto-renews even if you use very little data, although unused data does roll over. Outside the supported countries, out-of-tariff roaming rates apply.

iD Mobile

iD Mobile customers can use their full UK monthly allowances in 50 destinations, including all EU countries, up to 30GB.

Outside those locations, charges vary wildly – for example, data in Jordan can cost as much as £9.60 per MB.

The network has a standard £45 roaming cap, and roaming must be manually enabled through the app or online account before travel.

Lyca Mobile

Lyca offers free EU roaming for all customers, but for non-EU destinations, you'll need to check the charges directly, as pricing varies significantly depending on where you're going.

If you’re planning long-haul travel, Lyca may be best suited for basic use or if you're prepared to add local bundles.

How to avoid being caught out by data roaming fees

Check when your plan started. Some networks only charge roaming fees on newer contracts, meaning long-standing customers might still benefit from free EU roaming.

Watch for fair usage caps. Most networks apply a data limit while abroad, even in free-roaming zones — typically between 5GB and 30GB.

Out-of-zone costs can be eye-watering. Destinations outside the EU (or a network’s included list) often come with the steepest charges. Expect to pay per MB, or consider buying a bolt-on or travel pass if available.

Activate roaming in advance. Networks like iD Mobile require you to enable roaming through your account or app before you travel.

Consider an e-SIM for long-haul trips. These virtual SIMs let you switch to a local data provider without swapping cards, and can be more cost-effective in countries outside your plan.

Should I buy an eSIM?

As roaming charges climb, eSIMs (short for "embedded SIMs") are becoming an increasingly popular alternative for UK travellers looking to stay connected without racking up a hefty mobile bill.

Pros of using an eSIM

Avoids roaming fees: One of the biggest benefits is cost. With a travel eSIM, you can access local data packages in your destination – often much cheaper than your UK provider’s roaming rates.

Instant activation: eSIMs can be purchased online and activated before or during your trip, with no need to visit a store or wait for delivery.

No physical SIM swapping: Your UK number stays active in the background, which is handy for receiving texts or bank verification codes. You can simply toggle between your UK SIM and eSIM in your phone settings.

Flexible plans: eSIM providers offer pay-as-you-go or fixed bundles – from a few days to several weeks – letting you tailor your data to your trip length.

Works on dual-SIM phones: Most newer smartphones (like the latest iPhones and Android models) support both a physical SIM and an eSIM simultaneously.

Cons to consider

Data only – no calls or texts: Most travel eSIMs are data-only, meaning you can’t make traditional calls or send texts unless you use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime.

Not supported on all devices: While most modern phones now support eSIMs, some older handsets and budget models don’t – so you’ll need to check your device compatibility first.

Quality and coverage can vary: Some eSIM providers use regional networks or secondary carriers, which might result in slower speeds or weaker coverage in rural areas.

Prices vary wildly: While eSIMs can be cheap, not all packages offer good value – especially in less-travelled destinations. You may need to shop around to avoid overpaying.

Setup can be fiddly: Although activation is usually straightforward, installing an eSIM sometimes involves scanning a QR code or changing your mobile data settings manually – which can catch less tech-savvy travellers off guard.

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