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If your phone plan is not from the EU, or you are travelling to a non-EU country, you should expect significant charges for using your phone abroad.

Your first point of call for roaming charge information should be directly from your mobile network provider. Every plan and country is different, even someone on the same network as you may have different allowances or charges when travelling.

Getting a Physical SIM Card

Getting a physical SIM often remains the cheapest way to get phone service, especially if you want a lot of data. You can use a resource like the Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki to look up options and networks in each country. Note that plans and prices change all the time, so it is a good idea to cross-check against the operator’s website, you can use Google Translate to look at prepaid options.

Prices in Europe are generally reasonable – much lower than North America in particular. However it varies a lot between different European countries.

If you are coming into Europe by plane, you can usually pick up a SIM card on arrival at the airport. However, you may find that the plan choice is limited, or you are charged extra there. Therefore it is a good idea to research online what you should be paying, and potentially visit a shop in the city.

In some countries you may need to register or provide your ID for a SIM card (or eSIM from a local operator). Eg in Italy, Spain or Belgium, you generally have to provide ID in person. In some countries, like Austria, France, Germany or Poland, ID verification might be online. Other countries, like the UK, Czechia, Netherlands or Portugal, do not require any ID.

eSIMs

Over the past couple of years eSIMs have become much more popular for travel, including a wide variety of “travel” eSIM suppliers. The main advantage of an eSIM is the convenience – you can usually buy them online, load them onto your phone without visiting any physical store or waiting for a SIM by post.

Your phone must support eSIM (modern iPhones and most newer Android models do, although many budget models do not), and must also not be locked to a particular network provider. Search online for how to check this for your phone.

eSIMs are avaliable from both local networks, and from worldwide “travel” providers, who sell options for different countries. Local networks usually offer better value plans, with more data allowance and will include a phone number for calls and texts. Most travel options will only provide data, however are more convenient as they can be bought from a single website or app, with an English language interface. Be aware when picking any “Europe” eSIM – if you are going to any non-EU countries check carefully it includes the right ones for your trip.

There is no single perfect option for an eSIM, as the best option depends on what data allowance you would like, the length of your trip, and whether you need calls/texts. Some of the most popular options include Airalo *, Nomad and Holafly.

If you want to find the best value option, you will need to do a comparison according to your requires. For example, sites like eSIMDB compares options across providers, and you can use the filters to select your requirements.

You should check reviews and fine print carefully for any “travel” eSIM. As this is a new market, there are a lot of small firms and questionable practices at the moment. Even large, popular and well-reviewed services have flaws – Airalo’s EuroLink eSIM routes your mobile data via Hong Kong, which slows it down and means TikTok does not work. Holafly and other “unlimited” data options usually have fine print that states that your service can be throttled, often to an unusable speed, after some level of usage.

You can often get a local option online too. Eg Orange and Bouygues in France, O2 in Czechia, Orange Flex in Poland, Drei Up3 in Austria, LycaMobile in the UK, Vodafone in Portugal, and others. These often offer better value and service than travel providers, can be bought online just the same and provide calls/texts as well as EU roaming.

Across the EU – EU “Roam Like at Home”

European Union legislation since 2017 means that roaming between EU countries is free of charge. This means that you can generally pick up a SIM card in the first country you arrive in, and use it across all EU countries.

Roaming: Using a mobile phone in the EUWhen you travel outside your home country to another EU country, you don’t have to pay any additional charges to use your mobile phone. This is known as “roaming” or “roam like at home”. Your calls (to mobile and fixed phones), text messages (SMS) and data use (web browsing, music and video streaming etc.) are charged at domestic rates, i.e. the same price as calls, texts and data within your home country.

The same rule also applies to any calls or text messages your receive while you’re abroad – you aren’t charged extra to receive calls or texts while roaming, even if the person calling you is using a different service provider.

– Your Europe, source

EU Roaming Fair Use Restrictions (Data Limits and Time Restrictions)

However, EU roaming regulations allow for fair use restictions. Most plans will have an EU Roaming allowance, which will be lower than the main advertised amount. This can be significantly lower than the overall plan – eg a 50GB plan from most networks in Spain will only give 6-7GB of data in other EU countries.

Additionally, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to find “unlimited” data across the whole EU in just one plan, as unlimited data will usually only apply domestically with a separate limit for the rest of the EU. There is also a time limit restriction for EU roaming – if you use most SIMs for more than 2 months outside the “home” country, they may block it or apply extra charges. EU networks do have to send you a text message before doing this.

There are a few countries where some prepaid SIM cards or plans may not allow any use overseas, most commonly in the Baltics, Scandinavia or Austria.

It is important to note that any “travel” eSIM does NOT fall under this EU legislation, and therefore if you have bought an eSIM from such a supplier for 1 EU country it will not work in others, unless specifically advertised as such.

Roaming to/from the United Kingdom

Unfortunately, due to Brexit, the UK and Gibraltar no longer come under EU Roam Like at Home Regulations. However, many EU networks still consider the UK as part of their EU Roaming Zone, whilst many UK networks still offer free EU Roaming.

If you are going to the UK, and have a plan from an EU network, you should check with them as to whether they consider the UK as part of their EU roaming zone still. Most “travel” eSIMs that are for “Europe” will include the UK.

If your EU plan does not include the UK, or you are from elsewhere and starting your trip in the UK, you can get a SIM or eSIM from a UK operator at low cost. LycaMobile UK offers an eSIM which is easy to buy. Otherwise, Giffgaff will post a physical SIM to your home worldwide, free of charge. Both of these options mean you can have it on arrival, and include free EU roaming (with a roaming limit).

If you are going to the EU from the UK, you should consider a UK plan to use in the EU that includes free EU roaming, as this is easier than getting a plan on arrival and cheaper than any “travel” eSIM. A lot of networks include the EU, the largest is O2, but also many smaller networks like iD Mobile, Lebara, hhGiffgaff, Tesco, SMARTY, Lyca and TalkMobile. You can use a price comparison site like MoneySavingExpert or USwitch to find cheap plans, with no contract, that include EU Roaming.

The main networks that charge for EU Roaming are EE, Vodafone, Three, Sky and VOXI. If you are out of contract and do not have EU roaming included, you should contact your network and negotiate to see if they will add it free of charge, or otherwise consider switching – all of the cheapest networks include it at no extra cost, and chances are you are overpaying anyway! Alternatively, you can pick up a short-term plan on one of above networks to cover your trip.

Switzerland

Switzerland is not an EU or EEA member, and therefore it does not come under EU Roam Like at Home Regulations. This can cause a problem, as Switzerland being at the heart of Europe with lots of great railways is a common place to go during any Interrail trip! Another problem is that most Swiss trains do not have Wifi (only some international trains), although most main stations do.

A few networks do consider Switzerland as part of their EU Roaming Zone, so if you have an EU plan, you should check with your network whether it is included. If you are considering a “travel” eSIM for Europe, you should also check carefully that Switzerland is included, as some do not.

If your plan does not include Switzerland, it is a good idea to consider an eSIM plan for the days you are there, you can get a few GB of data for under €5, see the eSIM section above. If you have a longer stay, you may wish to consider a local SIM or eSIM from Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise, Lebara or LycaMobile. A local SIM may also give you access to the “SBB FreeSurf” service – this makes mobile data free whilst you are travelling on an applicable train, but you need to register.

Western Balkans and Turkey

If you are travelling to the Western Balkans or Turkey, you will generally need a separate plan from the rest of the EU. This includes most “travel” eSIMs – those called “Europe” may include a few Western Balkan countries but not others!

Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia)

The Western Balkans does have a “Roam Like at Home” arrangement of its own between Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This has a model similar to the EU version, even down to the fair usage and data roaming limits, and therefore you should check any roaming limits if you plan to buy a local SIM to use across the region.

Turkey

If you are considering a plan for Turkey, unfortunately pricing information is very scarce, even from official sources – eg Vodafone Turkey do not put their tourist SIM pricing online and even state the “fee may vary from shop to shop”. This unfortunately means there is a high chance of paying a tourist premium, and therefore a travel eSIM is advisable to avoid being ripped off. Turkey also has phone registration and tax requirements after 90 days (even if you leave and return), travel eSIMs will also avoid this.

Microstates, territories and other European countries

The main country you may pass through when interrailing is Monaco, this uses its own network and is often not included in EU roaming zones or travel eSIMs for Europe. However, the small size of Monaco means that French networks can be picked up in most of the territory, although in some buildings and in the train station they won’t reach. Simply use manual network selection if you need to and force your phone to connect to a French network. Free WiFi is readily available in Monaco, including outdoors. If you are just stopping off or taking a day trip, it is not worth finding a specific plan that includes Monaco.  

Andorra also has a unique network in mainland Europe and is non-EU. There is some network overspill from France and Spain, however if you are visiting the city these signals will not reach. You can get an eSIM using the guide above, or visit Andorra Telecom (the only network there) who offer an eSIM directly. 

The following areas, whilst not in the EU, are only served by EU phone networks, and therefore you should not be charged extra:

• San Marino and the Vatican City are only served by Italian mobile networks. If your phone plan includes Italy, there will be no extra cost. 
• The Aland Islands are served by Finnish mobile networks. Therefore your plan should roam there as it would in Finland. 

The following special/outlying areas are part of the EU and therefore come under EU roaming regulations: 

• All Spanish outlying territories, including the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands (i.e. Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca), Ceuta, Melilla are served by Spanish networks and you will roam there as per Spain. 
• Azores and Madeira (Portugal)
• Corsica (France)
• Some French overseas departments are part of the EU. This includes Reunion, French Guinea, Guadalupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint Barthélemy and St Martin (French Side). Whilst the networks in these regions may be different to the mainland French ones, they are included in EU roaming regulations. 

The following territories are NOT in the EU and therefore you should not expect EU roaming regulations to apply, although some networks may include them: 

• Faroe Islands
• Gibraltar was previously in the EU, but due to Brexit may no longer be included by some networks. However, Spanish networks can be received in most of the territory. 
• The Isle of Man and Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey) were never in the EU, this means most networks do not include them, even many UK networks. 
• The French overseas collectivities that are not part of the EU, e.g. French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Wallis and Futuna. 
• Dutch Caribbean countries, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Sint Maarten

Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are part of the EEA, which means Roam Like Home regulations apply as in the EU.

Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Russia, Greenland, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia or any other terrority must all be considered separately and you will usually need separate plans if you are visiting any of those countries. Some networks are offering free, or reduced roaming costs to Ukraine due to the war.

Ferries

You should be careful if travelling on any ferry, even between or within EU countries. Some ferries and ships have a “maritime” network which uses a satelite connection. These networks have very high charges and are never included even if you have a roaming plan. You should check carefully that your phone does not automatically connect and incur charges, turn on airplane mode or ask your carrier to set a block on these if possible.

You should also be careful if travelling on ferries around the Greek Islands, as you may pass close by to Turkey or Albania and incur charges.

Mobile pass and internet connection

You do not need a full-time internet connection to use the mobile pass or show your ticket. However you must open the app with the internet connected at least every 3 days, or your pass will deactivate.

If you have a flexible pass, you must have an internet connection to activate one of your travel days. You do not need an internet connection to add further journeys to your pass as long as you already have an active travel day.

Wifi on the trains or at stations

Sometimes this is avaliable but you should not rely on it. You are most likely to find Wifi on Intercity, High Speed and Long Distance trains, but avaliability varies significantly between different countries and types of train, and sometimes it may not be working or be too congested. You certainly should not expect to stream videos or make video calls using these services. You should not expect regional or commuter trains to have Wifi avaliable, although there are exceptions, eg it is often avaliable in the UK and the Netherlands.

In general, you can expect large stations to have free Wifi, or to have coffee shops/fast food chains with Wifi either inside or nearby.

It is important to note that only a few international trains in Switzerland have Wifi on board, domestic intercity services do not. As Switzerland is not included in EU roaming this may require additional consideration, even if you are just crossing the country. Many stations in Switzerland have free wifi, but not all.

How much data I need?

You can go to your phone settings or home network bill, and see how much data you normally consume to get rough guide about the amount needed. Note that using maps on your phone, sending photos and videos as well as backing them up to cloud services can consume lots of data. You can save some data by downloading maps by using Wifi, as well as using wireless networks to sharing your pictures. If you use an iPhone, turn off “Wifi Assist” which means your mobile data may be used in some situations even if connected to Wifi.

What kind of adaptor I need to charge my devices?

There is no single plug that will work across all the Europe, but Europlug (also known as type C electrical plug) is a good start. It is a flat plug with two prongs. Europlug will fit into variety of sockets, such as type E, F, J, K, and N. For example, plug and socket type J is used in Switzerland and Lichtenstein (three holes/prongs). Europlug will fit into type J socket, but type J plug wont fit into a type C socket. Europlug will fit into socket type K too, that is used in Denmark and Greenland. Europlug does not always fit into Italian sockets, as they sometimes use socket type L, but part of them are designed to take Europlug into them too.

United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta use type G, which has three rectangular blades. Devices do not work between UK and mainland Europe without an adaptor.

Good resource for checking the plugs, outlet and electric potental and frequency is to see this map by IEC.

Compiled by /u/trek123 and /u/Vigno