EU Roaming charges are being introduced by 3 major networks, EE Vodafone and Three. As a result, this is a change in terms and conditions post-Brexit despite promises from all four major networks in January that they wouldn’t reintroduce charges.
What does it mean for you? How is EU roaming changing?
What is EU Roaming?
In 2017 the European Union introduced ‘Roam Like at Home’, However, on 15th June 2017 these roaming charges were removed. This lets people with an EU SIM use their phone as they normally would at home when travelling in any other EU country.
EU roaming means your calls, texts and data are charged at the same price as calls, texts and data in your home country. You won’t be charged extra to use your UK allowance. Additionally, the same rule also applies to any calls or text messages your receive whilst you’re in an EU country.
What are the limits when roaming in the EU?
Mobile networks have a ‘fair usage policy and it can limit how much data you’re able to use when in the EU. This means that even though you might be on an unlimited plan, you might only be able to use a smaller amount of data when travelling. Make sure you check your network rules before travelling! Whenever you cross a border within the EU, you should get a text from them, reminding you of their fair usage policy.
How has Brexit affected free EU Roaming?
Since January 2021, UK networks have reintroduced roaming charges due to Brexit. The UK’s trade deal with the EU said that it would encourage networks to have transparent and reasonable rates for roaming.
The UK government has passed laws to safeguard consumers. Such as a £45 limit on how much customers can be billed for using mobile data in the EU; before having to opt in to carry on using it. Networks also now have to let customers know when they’ve reached 80% and 100% of their data allowance. They have to take steps to stop customers from being charged for accidental roaming in Northern Ireland.
What networks are charging for EU Roaming?
EE
In June 2021, EE was the first network to say they’d be reintroducing roaming charges from January 2022. They’ll be introducing a flat fee of £2 a day for customers travelling in the EU. This lets you access your plan’s full data, minutes and text allowance. The roaming fee will be introduced from January 2022.
Vodafone
Vodafone has since followed EE’s lead and is the second network to go back on its pledge of not bringing back EU roaming charges after Brexit. From January 2022, Vodafone customers will be charged a minimum of £1 per day for EU roaming on several of their plans.
Three
Three is to start charging customers roaming fees of £2 day to use their monthly allowance in Europe from 23 May 2022.
O2
O2 says it’s not reintroducing roaming charges, but is introducing a fair use cap on roaming data across Europe of 25GB, effective August 2, 2021. Any data beyond that 25GB limit will be charged at £3.50 per GB.
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