Can I use my phone abroad without extra costs?
Yes, within the European Union, at no extra cost. Thanks to the EU roaming regulation ("roam like at home"), when you travel in another European Union country (and the European Economic Area) you can use calls, texts and data on the same terms as your national plan, with no surcharges. This rule, in force since 2017, has been extended and is valid long-term. There are, however, fair-use limits, designed to prevent abuse: for data, the operator can apply a roaming threshold linked to your plan and its price, beyond which small charges may kick in. Beware instead of countries outside the EU (e.g. Switzerland, the UK after Brexit, and non-European countries): there "roam like at home" doesn't apply and you pay roaming tariffs, often high.
📋 The rules
- In the EU/EEA: calls, texts and data like your national plan
- No roaming surcharges ("roam like at home")
- Rule in force since 2017 and extended long-term
- Fair-use limits for data
- Outside the EU: roaming tariffs (Switzerland, UK, non-EU)
🔓 Exceptions
- Fair-use threshold for roaming data, linked to the plan and its price
- Permanent use abroad (not a temporary trip): possible limitations
- Switzerland, the UK and non-EU countries: not covered by roam like at home
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The risk isn't a "sanction", but unexpected costs: if you exceed the fair-use thresholds for data, or you're in a country outside the EU, the operator can charge roaming tariffs, even high ones. To avoid it, before leaving check with your operator your plan's roaming terms, activate any options for non-EU countries, and check the data limit. A good practice is to turn off data roaming in uncovered countries and use Wi-Fi. Operators must alert you when you enter roaming and when you approach the thresholds. Keep the operator's communications and, in case of abnormal charges, file a complaint.
📎 Official sources
- AGCOM · International roaming and user protection →
- European Union · Roaming: calling and browsing in the EU →
- Normattiva · EU roaming regulation →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I pay more using my phone in another EU country?
No. Thanks to "roam like at home", within the European Union you use calls, texts and data on the same terms as your national plan, with no extra roaming costs. It's a European rule in force for years and extended long-term.
Are there limits on roaming data use in the EU?
Yes, there are fair-use limits. For data, the operator can set a roaming threshold linked to your plan and its price: within that threshold you browse as at home, beyond it small charges can kick in. Check your plan's threshold with the operator.
Does free roaming also apply in Switzerland or the UK?
No. Switzerland, the UK (after Brexit) and non-European countries aren't covered by "roam like at home": there roaming tariffs apply, often high. Before going to these countries, check the terms and activate any dedicated options.
How do I avoid nasty surprises on the bill?
Before leaving check with the operator your plan's roaming terms and the data limit. In non-EU countries, consider dedicated options or turn off data roaming and use Wi-Fi. Operators must alert you when you enter roaming and when you approach the thresholds.
What do I do if I'm charged abnormal costs?
Keep the operator's communications and the roaming alert messages, and file a complaint with the operator. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, you can turn to AGCOM or consumer associations. Alerts on entering roaming and on thresholds are mandatory.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “roaming eu no extra costs”
- “roam like at home european union”
- “data roaming fair use limits”
- “roaming switzerland uk costs”
- “turn off data roaming abroad”
- “roaming charges complaint agcom”