Now that the UK has left the European Union, you are no longer guaranteed free data roaming when travelling from the UK to countries in Europe and may have to pay upwards of £2 per day to access your UK data allowance.

Have data roaming charges changed since Brexit?

Yes – Since 1 January 2021, the guarantee of free roaming for UK mobile users in 47 destinations in the EU including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein has ended.

It is up to each individual phone operator to decide what they will charge for cross border calls and data usage. You should find out from your operator if you will experience roaming charges when travelling in the future.

Since 1 July 2022, the UK mobile roaming rules as set out in UK legislation no longer apply. These rules covered things like data roaming spending limits and automatically receiving a welcome message when entering a different country. Providers may still offer these service, however we recommend that you check for charges before travelling.

If you are travelling abroad, you can limit any roaming charges by turning off your mobile data roaming and using Wi-Fi where possible. Streaming live television or sending video clips (MMS) could be expensive since they use large amounts of mobile data.

Northern Ireland Border charges

EE, Three, Vodafone and Sky mobile have stated that ROI shall be exempt from the charges to be introduced in 2022. However, charges may apply subject to networks fair use limits.

The government has passed legislation to make sure operators continue to make information available to their customers on how to avoid accidental roaming in border regions. Operators will be required to take reasonable steps to protect their customers from paying roaming charges for inadvertently accessing roaming services.

Tips to avoid roaming charges

1. Check for charges – Check if your mobile operator will be introducing roaming charges and contact them to check if they will apply to you under your current contact.
2. Check for roaming bundles – A number of mobile providers offer roaming packages and cheaper alternatives to their £2 per day flat fee. Contact your network to see if this could apply to you.
3. Turn off - If roaming charges apply you can turn mobile data and data roaming off and use free Wi-Fi whenever possible. Many hotels, bars and restaurants offer Wi-Fi free of charge.
4. Preparation is key – Download any must have music, movies or apps while on Wi-Fi before you travel to avoid roaming.
5. Consider switching – If you travel frequently to the EU you may want to consider switching networks to avoid roaming charges.