Why EU roaming matters for UK SIM plans
Before Brexit, all UK mobile networks were required by EU law to include roaming across Europe at no extra charge. UK consumers could use their home data allowance in any EU country just as they would at home.
Since Brexit, this requirement no longer applies to UK networks. Networks are now free to charge whatever they choose for EU roaming — and many have reintroduced charges. EE, Vodafone and Three have all reintroduced roaming fees for some or all customers. O2 has maintained some roaming inclusion but with restrictions.
For frequent travellers, this is a significant change. Understanding which budget SIM plans still include EU roaming — and which do not — can save you £5–15 per day on every trip to Europe.
Which UK SIM plans include EU roaming in 2026?
Mozillion — EU roaming included on all plans
Mozillion includes EU roaming as standard on every plan, from their cheapest 1GB option upwards. Running on EE's network, you get EE-quality signal across Europe with your UK data allowance included.
This is Mozillion's strongest differentiator against other budget networks. A Mozillion 25GB plan at £8/month gives you 25GB of data usable across the EU and UK combined, with no roaming surcharges.
Fair Use Policy applies: Mozillion applies a Fair Use limit of 10GB for EU roaming per month on their standard plans. Above this, speeds may be reduced. For most holiday travellers this is ample — 10GB covers two weeks of typical holiday use including maps, social media and occasional streaming.
Ecotalk — EU roaming included on all plans
Ecotalk includes EU roaming on all plans as standard, similar to Mozillion. Running on EE's network, coverage across Europe is excellent. Ecotalk's plans start from £4/month (calls and texts only) up to unlimited data.
Ecotalk applies a Fair Use Policy for EU roaming — check the specific limit on your plan before travelling. Their 30GB plan at £12/month includes EU roaming which makes it outstanding value for regular European travellers.
1pMobile — EU roaming available as a bolt-on only
1pMobile does not include EU roaming as standard. You can add EU roaming as a bolt-on, charged per MB or per day. For infrequent or short trips this may be cost-effective; for regular European travel it makes more sense to switch to Ecotalk or Mozillion.
Chattr — no EU roaming
Chattr runs on Three's network. Three's Go Roam programme (which includes 71 destinations for direct Three customers) is not passed through to Chattr as an MVNO. Chattr does not include EU roaming. If you are on Chattr and travel to Europe, you will need to use a travel eSIM or switch plans before travelling.
Major networks (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three direct)
EE direct customers can add a Roam Like Home bolt-on (typically £5–10/day or a monthly add-on). O2 includes roaming in some plans but with data caps and day pass options. Vodafone charges £1/day in some plans or £10/month add-on. Three's Go Roam includes 71 destinations on eligible plans.
The major networks' roaming charges make the budget MVNOs with included EU roaming (Mozillion and Ecotalk) significantly better value for European travellers.
What countries count as EU roaming?
EU roaming coverage varies by network but typically includes:
All 27 EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Most networks also include EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.
Some networks include Switzerland, Gibraltar and other nearby territories — check your specific network's roaming policy.
Not included in EU roaming: Turkey, USA, Canada, Australia, UAE, and most other non-European destinations. For these you need a travel eSIM or a specific international roaming add-on.
How much data can you use abroad?
All UK networks apply a Fair Use Policy (FUP) to EU roaming. This is a legal requirement — UK networks must apply fair use limits to prevent people using their home plan exclusively for roaming while residing abroad.
The FUP limit varies by network and plan but is typically calculated to allow reasonable holiday use. On a 25GB monthly plan, the roaming limit is usually 10–15GB — enough for several weeks of typical holiday use.
If you exceed the FUP limit, the network may:
- Charge per MB above the limit
- Reduce your data speeds
- Send a notification asking you to purchase additional roaming data
For most users on a typical holiday, the FUP limit will not be reached. If you are a heavy data user working remotely from Europe, check the specific FUP on your plan before travelling.
Tips for using your UK SIM in Europe
Download offline maps before you travel. Google Maps and Apple Maps both allow offline downloads. A downloaded map of your destination uses no data — saving your allowance for other things.
Use Wi-Fi where available. Hotel, Airbnb and café Wi-Fi is widely available across Europe. Save your mobile data for when you are away from Wi-Fi.
Disable automatic app updates. Mobile data should not be used to download iOS or Android updates. Ensure updates are set to Wi-Fi only in your settings.
Check your roaming settings. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options → Data Roaming → On. On Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Data Roaming → On. Without this enabled, your data will not work abroad even if roaming is included in your plan.
Monitor your data usage. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → scroll down to see per-app data usage. Reset statistics at the start of your trip to track usage accurately.
Travel eSIM as an alternative
For destinations outside EU roaming coverage, or if you want a completely separate data allowance for travel, a travel eSIM is an alternative to relying on your UK SIM abroad.
BambooSIM and WorldSIM — both listed on GadgetRank — offer travel eSIM plans for Europe and global destinations. Installing a travel eSIM takes 5 minutes before you travel and lets you keep your UK SIM active for calls and texts while using local data rates.
Compare SIM plans with EU roaming on GadgetRank →
Frequently asked questions
Does EU roaming work in Turkey?
No. Turkey is not an EU member state and is not covered by EU roaming on UK plans. You will need a travel eSIM or a separate Turkish SIM for data in Turkey.
Can I use my UK SIM in Ireland?
Yes — Ireland is an EU member state and is covered by EU roaming on all plans that include it. Republic of Ireland roaming is included on Mozillion and Ecotalk plans.
Will I get 5G in Europe with my UK SIM?
It depends on your plan and the destination network. In major European cities, 5G is available on some networks. Generally, your UK SIM will connect to 4G by default in Europe even if your plan includes 5G at home.
What if I run out of data roaming while abroad?
Contact your network's customer service to purchase additional roaming data. For Mozillion and Ecotalk, this can be done via their websites or apps. Alternatively, connect to Wi-Fi and activate a travel eSIM for the remainder of your trip.
Is there a risk of bill shock with EU roaming?
With Mozillion and Ecotalk — which include EU roaming as standard with no per-day charges — there is no bill shock risk within the FUP limit. The risk exists if you exceed the FUP and trigger per-MB charges, or if you connect to a non-EU destination by mistake. Always confirm which countries are covered before travelling.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office publishes travel advice for every country, including connectivity and communications guidance.
Compare SIM only deals with EU roaming →