Travelling outside the EU with a plan from Croatia: how do I avoid a huge roaming bill?
Roam like at home covers the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Moldova and Ukraine. Other countries are outside it, and roaming there, especially data, can be expensive. Check your operator's roaming prices for your destination before you travel.
Outside the EU and EEA, roaming can be very expensive, especially mobile data. Protections such as a spending limit and warning messages exist in some places; what applies with a plan from Croatia is below.
📜 The rules in Croatia
The details
- The EU data spending cap also works outside the EU: by default data roaming stops at no more than €50 a month excluding VAT, with a warning at 80%, unless you chose another limit. (boe.es)
- If the foreign network doesn't let your operator track your use in real time, you must get a free SMS on arrival saying that usage information and the spending cap are not available there. (boe.es)
- Croatian rules: when you log on to any foreign network, the operator must text you the prices of calls, SMS/MMS and data. If it didn't warn you, or not in time, you only owe roaming charges from when it did. (narodne-novine.nn.hr)
- Near borders with countries outside the EEA, switch on manual network selection and choose your own operator's network to avoid unwanted switching to a foreign network and its costs. (hakom.hr)
- On ships and planes your phone may connect to a satellite network with far higher prices; switch off roaming or use flight mode. (hakom.hr)
Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za mrežne djelatnosti (HAKOM)
Telecom regulator: explains your rights on its user protection line (working days 9:00–11:30) and settles disputes with operators after the operator's two-stage complaint procedure.
🪜 Step by step
- Check the prices before you goLook up your operator’s rates for the country you are visiting, or buy a travel add-on.
- Keep the spending limit onIf your operator offers a data spending limit, leave it on. It stops data use before the bill runs away.
- Switch off data roaming when you do not need itApps update in the background. Use Wi‑Fi and switch off data roaming in your phone’s settings.
- Consider a local SIM or eSIMFor longer trips, a local or travel SIM is often much cheaper.
📇 Who to contact
Sponsor this page → One labelled block, €100 a month. Founding price €75 until 31 January 2027.
❓ Questions
What happens when I reach the spending limit?
Where a limit applies, data stops or you are asked whether you want to continue. You decide whether to go on.
Do ships and planes count as abroad?
Networks on ships and planes often run via satellite, are not covered by the usual roaming rules and can be very expensive.
Can I dispute a huge roaming bill?
Yes. Complain to the operator first, then go to the dispute body if you cannot agree.
📎 Sources
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