Data roaming costs and limits in EU for EE, O2, Three and Vodafone

The EU 'Roam Like at Home' rules officially ended for UK residents on 1 January 2021 as a result of Brexit. Following this change, UK mobile operators are now legally permitted to charge daily roaming fees for those travelling in Europe.

However, 'Fair Use' data caps still exist to prevent excessive usage abroad despite UK customers paying this flat daily fee.

These charges vary significantly between providers, making it essential to check your specific contract before you fly.

Which Providers Impose a “Fair Use” Data Allowance?

By March 2026, most major UK providers have reintroduced daily roaming charges for the EU for most customers, often coupled with a Fair Use cap that limits the amount of your UK data you can use abroad.

Some offer a perk of free data roaming in the EU and other selected countries, but these too usually have a Fair Use cap.

Here is the current breakdown of costs and Fair Use limits for the 'Big Four' networks:

EE

EE charges £2.59 a day (for most contracts signed after July 2021), with a generous 50GB fair use limit.

O2

O2 remains one of the few major providers still offering free EU roaming, though this is subject to a 25GB fair use cap.

Three

Three charges £2.00 a day to unlock your data in the EU, subject to a 12GB fair use limit. The operator spells out their data limitations here.

Vodafone

Vodafone charges £2.57 a day for EU roaming, with a 25GB fair use limit.

Following new regulations that the Government and Ofcom implemented on 1 October 2024, mobile networks must now provide clear and accurate notifications to customers as soon as they start roaming. These rules require your provider to send an alert outlining any fair use limits that apply to your plan and providing clear instructions on how to set a mobile bill limit. This protection is designed to prevent bill shock from inadvertent roaming charges, particularly for those travelling near international borders.

By March 2026, these rules have become the standard safety net for UK travellers. The requirement for networks to proactively notify you of charges — and show you how to cap your bill — means that 'inadvertent' roaming (where your phone pings a tower across a border) is much easier to manage than it was in previously.

Stay on Top of Your Mobile Provider

Use the information provided here to gain an understanding of how much data roaming you should be entitled to. Be sure to inquire with your mobile provider directly to understand exactly what is included in your specific plan. The data allowances discussed here are for "Roam Like at Home" contract plans (except the pay-as-you-go section) - not all plans are "Roam Like at Home," so be sure to understand your individual tariff.