A city break in Barcelona, a Greek island holiday, a drive through France: until 2021 a UK SIM was covered by the EU's Roam Like at Home rules on all of them. Since 2021 it is not, and what your phone costs in Europe now depends on your own operator's terms, which differ from one tariff to the next.
This guide covers roaming in Europe with a UK SIM: what changed, how to check your tariff, using a travel eSIM alongside your UK number, which plan fits, and the consular help British nationals can call around the clock.
Key facts for UK travellers roaming in Europe
- EU roaming: since 2021, UK SIMs are not covered by the EU's Roam Like at Home rules
- Your tariff: each UK operator sets its own terms for Europe, and several charge a daily fee unless your plan includes it
- One plan for the trip: the Europe zone covers 38 destinations; Europe Extended covers 56, adding Turkey, Iceland and the Western Balkans among others
- Emergency numbers: 112 in every EU country
What changed for UK SIMs
Roam Like at Home lets SIMs from EU countries use their tariff in the other EU countries, and in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, at domestic prices. UK SIMs are no longer covered, so if your plan charges by the day, the fee adds up over a longer holiday.
Roaming in Europe with a UK SIM: how to check your tariff
Look up your plan's roaming terms in your operator's app or online account before you travel, and check:
- whether Europe is included in your plan, or whether a daily fee applies
- whether every country on your route is included, above all any outside the EU, such as Switzerland, Norway, Turkey or the Western Balkans
- what calls and texts cost abroad, including those you receive
If your tariff covers everything on your route, you may need nothing else. If it charges by the day, or leaves out a country you will visit, a travel eSIM can carry your data instead.
Keeping your UK number with a travel eSIM
A travel eSIM does not replace your UK SIM: your SIM or eSIM stays in the phone for your number, and the travel eSIM carries the data. Telcomia's standard plans are data only, with no local number and no SMS, so calls and messages go through apps such as WhatsApp.
Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and turn data roaming off on your UK line. That stops the UK line's data, not its calls and texts, which still follow your operator's terms.
Which plan fits your trip
The Europe plans cover 38 destinations, including most EU countries, Switzerland and Norway. If Turkey, Iceland or the Western Balkans are on your route, the Europe Extended plans cover 56 destinations, adding those among others. Either way, check that every country you will visit appears in the plan's list.
Both plans also cover the UK itself, which matters if you install the eSIM at home: the Activation line in the plan details gives the start of the validity period. The details also show the duration, the data and whether you can share the connection.
Before you leave
- Check your UK tariff's roaming terms for every country on your route.
- If you use a travel eSIM, install it on Wi-Fi before you go and keep it until the trip is over: some eSIMs can be installed only once.
- Make the eSIM your mobile data line, with data roaming on for it and off for your UK line.
- On ferries and planes, keep your UK line's data roaming off: mobile networks on board are billed separately.
- Save 112, and look up the British embassy or consulate for each country you will visit.
Consular protection: help for British nationals
- 112 reaches the emergency services in every EU country, including Spain, France, Greece and Portugal.
- For urgent help from consular staff, British nationals can phone the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in the UK, around the clock.
- In Spain, France and Greece, embassies are in Madrid, Paris and Athens, and many countries also have consulates in other cities and on some islands. The Telcomia app shows which mission is responsible for you, with address and phone.
- The app keeps key emergency phrases ready to show on screen, including Spanish, French, Greek and Portuguese.
Questions travellers ask about roaming in Europe with a UK SIM
Do UK networks charge roaming in Europe?
It depends on your tariff. Since 2021 UK SIMs are not covered by the EU's Roam Like at Home rules, so each operator sets its own terms for Europe, and several charge a daily fee unless your plan includes it.
Is Ireland included for UK SIMs?
It depends on your operator. Ireland is in the EU, whose roaming rules no longer cover UK SIMs, so check your tariff's terms for Ireland before you go; if it is not included, Telcomia's Europe plan covers Ireland.
Europe or Europe Extended for a UK traveller?
Europe, with 38 destinations, covers most EU countries plus Switzerland and Norway. Choose Europe Extended, with 56, if Turkey, Iceland or the Western Balkans are on your route.
Who do I call if I need consular help in Europe?
In an emergency in an EU country, call 112 first. For urgent consular help, British nationals can phone the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in the UK, around the clock.
The short version
Since 2021 a UK SIM is outside the EU's roaming rules, so check your tariff for every country on your route. If it charges a daily fee, a Europe or Europe Extended eSIM can carry your data while your UK number stays in the phone. In an emergency in an EU country, call 112, and for urgent consular help phone the nearest British embassy or consulate, around the clock.
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