Roaming rates and fair usage

Roaming is one of the few areas where the three networks differ in a way you can put a number on. If you travel regularly, the daily rate can matter more than the monthly line rental.

Key takeaways

• O2 includes EU roaming; worldwide roaming is £4.00 a day.

• Vodafone charges £1.60 a day in the EU and £4.26 a day worldwide.

• EE charges £1.50 a day in the EU, £5.00 a day business roaming and £9.00 a day world roaming.

• Fair usage applies everywhere, and roaming on unlimited plans is capped separately.

Daily rates by network

Roaming is charged differently on each network, so the right choice depends on where you travel rather than on which brand you prefer.

• O2 — EU roaming included; worldwide roaming £4.00 a day

• Vodafone — EU £1.60 a day; worldwide £4.26 a day

• EE — EU £1.50 a day; business roaming £5.00 a day; world roaming £9.00 a day

Fair usage while roaming

A fair usage policy applies so that allowances are used for their intended purpose while abroad. On unlimited tariffs, the data you can use while roaming is capped rather than being unlimited — the unlimited part of the plan is a domestic allowance.

For most trips this is invisible. It only bites if you plan to use a UK SIM as your main connection while living or working abroad for months at a time.

The permanent roamer test

Inclusive roaming is designed for people who travel periodically, not permanently. If your usage abroad exceeds your usage at home, measured over a four month period, you are treated as a permanent roamer and standard out-of-bundle roaming charges apply.

Repeated breaches can lead to disconnection, with the standard £30 cease fee applied per subscription.

Choosing a network if you travel

If most of your travel is inside the EU, the difference between a daily fee and inclusive roaming adds up quickly across a year. If you mainly travel long haul, compare the worldwide day rates instead — the gap between networks is much wider there.

Work out roughly how many days abroad you expect in a year, multiply by the daily rate, and add it to the annual cost of the plan before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is EU roaming free on all networks?

No. O2 includes EU roaming. Vodafone charges £1.60 a day and EE charges £1.50 a day in the EU.

Do I get unlimited data abroad on an unlimited plan?

No. Roaming on an unlimited allowance is capped separately and subject to fair usage; unlimited applies to normal domestic use.

What happens if I use my SIM abroad most of the time?

If usage abroad exceeds usage at home over a four month period you are treated as a permanent roamer and standard out-of-bundle roaming rates apply. Repeated breaches can lead to disconnection with a £30 cease fee per subscription.

Next steps

• Compare deals by network

• Browse SIM only deals