Illustrative image. AI-generated and does not depict real people, places or events.
By Chandraketu Tripathi | Updated April 2026
UK mobile roaming rules changed significantly after Brexit. The EU roaming regulations that guaranteed free roaming for UK users in Europe no longer apply, and most UK networks have now introduced roaming charges for EU travel. However, the rules and costs vary significantly by network — some still include EU roaming free, others charge a daily fee. Here is the complete picture for 2026.
Key facts April 2026
EU roaming: NOT guaranteed free since Brexit (January 2021) | Most UK networks: charge £1–£2/day for EU roaming OR have a fair use allowance | Free EU roaming in 2026: Three, Sky Mobile (some plans), Smarty | Cheapest solution abroad: travel eSIM or local SIM
UK Mobile Roaming Charges in Europe 2026
Policies change regularly. Always check with your network before travelling. April 2026.
Network
EU roaming policy
Daily roaming charge
Data allowance in EU
Notes
EE
Roam Abroad add-on required or daily charge
£2/day (EE Travel Pass)
Full UK allowance while abroad
Travel Pass auto-activates on first use; billed per day
O2
Travel add-on or charge per day
£1.99/day (Europe Zone)
Full UK data allowance
Some legacy plans include free EU roaming; check your plan
Vodafone
Roaming available with day pass
£1/day (Europe & South Africa)
Full UK allowance while pass active
Good value; £1/day significantly cheaper than EE/O2
Three
Go Roam — many countries included free
Free (72 countries)
Capped at 12GB/month
Best for EU travel; includes most European countries
Sky Mobile
Roam free for free on many plans
Free (37 countries)
Uses your Sky allowance
Generous roaming; check your specific plan
giffgaff
EU roaming charged per MB or buy a bolt-on
£0.20/MB or bolt-on from £10
Bolt-on data only
More complex; buy a data bolt-on before travelling
Smarty
Free EU roaming on most plans
Free (EU countries)
Full UK allowance
MVNO on Three; inherits Three’s Go Roam
Tesco Mobile
EU roaming via O2 network
£1.99/day
Full allowance while active
O2-based; similar to O2 pricing
UK Mobile Roaming Charges Outside Europe 2026
Destination
Typical network charge
Three Go Roam
Best option
USA
£2–5/day or pay-per-MB
Included in Go Roam Extra plans
Travel eSIM (Airalo) or Three Go Roam Extra
Australia
£2–5/day
Some plans included
Travel eSIM or Three Go Roam
UAE / Dubai
£2–5/day
Not included (limited)
Local SIM or travel eSIM
Turkey
£2–5/day
Some plans included
Three Go Roam or travel eSIM
India
£3–8/day
Not included
Local SIM (very cheap in India)
Thailand
£2–5/day
Not included on most
Travel eSIM (Airalo)
Japan
£3–8/day
Not included
Pocket WiFi rental or travel eSIM
Canada
£2–5/day
Some plans included
Travel eSIM or Three Go Roam
How to Avoid Mobile Roaming Charges Abroad
Switch to Three: Three’s Go Roam covers 72 countries with free data roaming (capped at 12GB/month). If you travel regularly, switching to Three saves £30–60 per trip vs paying daily charges.
Use a travel eSIM: Download a country-specific or regional eSIM from Airalo, Holafly or Nomad before travelling. Data from £3–8/GB, no roaming charges at all.
Buy a local SIM at destination: Cheapest for data-heavy trips but you lose your UK number. Good for long-stay trips (2+ weeks). Very cheap in USA, India, Thailand.
Use WiFi calling: Make calls over hotel or restaurant WiFi at UK domestic rates. No roaming charge.
Connect to WiFi and use WhatsApp/FaceTime: Data calls and messaging over WiFi are free anywhere in the world.
Check your network’s roaming settings: Turn off data roaming if you don’t have a plan, to avoid accidental charges.
Post-Brexit Roaming: What Changed?
Before Brexit (before 1 January 2021), UK consumers were protected by EU roaming regulations. These guaranteed:
No extra charges for using your UK plan in EU/EEA countries
No bill shock — capped charges if accidental roaming occurred
Same data speeds as your home network
After Brexit, UK networks are no longer bound by these regulations. Most have introduced daily roaming charges or require add-ons for EU travel. The exceptions are Three (Go Roam), Sky Mobile and Smarty which continue to include EU roaming as a product differentiator.
Text to Know Your Roaming Costs Before You Go
Text ROAMING to 85075 (works on most UK networks) to get your network’s current roaming policy sent by text
Check your network’s app for roaming settings and add-ons before departure
Turn on data roaming spending caps in your network’s app to prevent unexpected bills
The maximum UK operators can charge for roaming data without your consent is £45 per month (Ofcom cap)
Key facts April 2026
UK mobile roaming in Europe is no longer guaranteed free since Brexit. EE charges £2/day, O2 £1.99/day, Vodafone £1/day. Three, Sky Mobile and Smarty still include EU roaming free. For non-EU destinations, travel eSIMs from Airalo are the cheapest solution from £3/GB. Always check your network’s roaming policy before travelling and turn on spending caps to avoid bill shock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does roaming cost in Europe from UK 2026?
It depends on your network. Three and Smarty include EU roaming free in most plans. Vodafone charges £1/day, O2 charges £1.99/day and EE charges £2/day via their Travel Pass. Some older plans on O2 and Vodafone still include free EU roaming.
Can I use my UK mobile in Europe after Brexit?
Yes — but free roaming is no longer guaranteed. Most networks now charge a daily fee or require a roaming add-on. Three, Sky Mobile and Smarty are exceptions that still offer free EU roaming on most plans.
What is the cheapest way to use data abroad?
Three’s Go Roam (72 countries free) is the best option if you switch networks. Otherwise, travel eSIMs from Airalo cost from £3–8/GB with no daily fees. For long trips, a local SIM is cheapest.
Sources: Ofcom roaming data 2026, EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, Sky Mobile roaming policies April 2026, Which? mobile roaming guide, CAP 2288 post-Brexit roaming. April 2026.
From our sister site
Travel eSIMs for 190+ countries, and international mobile top-ups
Skip roaming charges with a data-only eSIM, delivered as a QR code by email and installable before you travel: see esims for europe. Slashtel also sends top-ups to 700+ mobile networks in 170+ countries.
Disclosure: Slashtel is operated by Kael Tripton Ltd, which also publishes this site. Our editorial coverage is independent of it.
From Kael Tripton
Travel eSIM for Europe
A prepaid data eSIM is usually the cheapest way to stay online abroad. Slashtel sells them for Europe and 190+ countries, QR by email in minutes, install on Wi-Fi before you fly. See what it costs at Slashtel.
Slashtel is a Kael Tripton Ltd brand.
Advertisement
Kael Tripton Deals
Verified UK deals: bank switch bonuses, savings rates, insurance offers and more
Checked against provider pages and updated weekly. Every listing labelled. No commission on any financial offer.
The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Co Founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. LBS MBA (Sloan Fellow), AI/ML postgraduate (IIIT Bangalore). 22 years in marketing and commercial roles across 23 markets. Covers UK money, tax and visas.
House ad
Get your brand in front of KT readers
Featured Partner cards, KT Voices, the KT Weekly sponsor slot and Deals listings. Labelled placements only: editorial is never for sale.
