Using a mobile abroad can rack up hundreds of pounds, a change which has been put in place by providers since Brexit. Travellers looking to get away over the coming May bank holidays or 2023 summer months could face extra charges on top of their plan if roaming data is not included.
The smallest of things like making a quick five-minute phone call or sending a text to a loved one whilst on holiday now comes at an extra cost, even if it's included in your monthly tariff. We're all familiar of the instant 'welcome to...' text messages that ping through to our phones as soon as we land, but it doesn't always mean using data or minutes is free.
Since the cost of using phones abroad has risen many tech users are swapping to cheaper SIM-only deals, whether it's just to use on holiday or in the UK too, as most include a generous amount of EU roaming data.
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Providers including Lebara, Smarty, GiffGaff and O2 mobile give customers access to UK data allowance, even when abroad as part of 'fair use policies'. We've rounded up the individual SIM plans which are worth having a look at if you're going abroad soon.
Lebara from £15 - EU roaming included up to 30GB
Lebara offers all SIM-only customers free roaming in the EU and India (where it operates from) saving customers money on extra costs. Although advertised online as 'free roaming' users should be aware there is a limit of up to 30GB on all SIM plans.
This means customers could get the same free 30GB of EU data on any of its SIM-only plans, be it the 15GB plan for £10 a month, 30Gb for £15 a month or unlimited for £25 a month.
O2 Mobile - 25GB of data in roaming
Customers who take a SIM-only plan of 25GB or more can use the same allowance in Europe, as long as they don't exceed the 25GB limit.
The O2 website states: "If your UK monthly data allowance is over 25GB, you’ll have a Roaming Limit of 25GB when roaming in our Europe Zone. This means you can use up to 25GB of your allowance at no extra cost- we’ll text you if you’re getting close to the limit, and again if you reach it.
"You can still use data if you reach our Roaming Limit, but you’ll be charged at £3.50/GB.".
This applies to O2's 200GB SIM-only plan for £30 a month, 40GB plan for £15 a month and the 60GB plan for £20 a month.
Smarty £10 SIM with 12GB EU data
Smarty, which has built up a reputation for offering flexible contracts amid the recent mobile price hikes is currently offering £60GB of data for just £10.
The SIM includes 60GB of data to use a month in the UK, but under its 'fair use policy' customers can use 12GB of the 60GB amount for free across Europe. Although data is capped at 12GB users won't be charged for minutes or texts and can use these on an unlimited basis when abroad.
GiffGaff - 5GB of free EU roaming
GiffGaff offers 5GB of free EU roaming on all of its plans, no matter the UK data allowance, whether it's the £15 a month 35GB plan or its 26GB plan for £12 a month.
However, customers should be aware of the extra costs if they go over the agreed 5GB of data when on holiday. You can still use more than 5GB of data abroad with GiffGaff but it's not free and costs an extra 10p per MB.
This may not sound a lot but that comes to an extra £100 per GB, just 12 hours of internet usage.
Other providers including Lyca Mobile, Vodafone, EE and Sky (to name a few) offer inclusive amount of data across selected EU countries.
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