Do I pay extra to use my phone in other EU countries with a plan from Austria?
In the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and since 1 January 2026 also in Ukraine and Moldova, 'Roam like at Home' applies: you pay the same as in Austria and get the same service quality where technically available.
With a plan from an operator in the EU or EEA, calls, texts and data in other EU and EEA countries are generally charged as at home, within fair-use limits. Other rules apply to plans from other countries; what applies with a plan from Austria is below.
📜 The rules in Austria
The details
- Providers may charge roaming surcharges if you mainly roam and stay abroad, or under a fair-use data limit on some tariffs. They must tell you in advance whether your tariff has a limit and how high it is. (rtr.at)
- Calls and texts from Austria to another EU country are not roaming; they are normal international calls under your contract, with separate EU rules. (rtr.at)
- On ships and planes using satellite networks 'Roam like at Home' does not apply, but you get a free information SMS and the data cost limits apply. (rtr.at)
- Calls diverted to your voicemail while you are in another EU/EEA country must be free; listening to your voicemail is charged as a normal call. (rtr.at)
- If you chose an alternative roaming tariff, you can return to the regulated tariff at any time, free of charge, within one day; an initial minimum term of two months is allowed. (rtr.at)
Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR-GmbH)
Austria's telecom regulator: consumer information, the RTR-Netztest and the dispute service (Schlichtungsstelle).
🪜 Step by step
- Check your plan before you travelSee which countries your plan treats like home and whether it has a separate data allowance abroad.
- Read the welcome messageWhen you arrive, your operator usually sends a message with the prices and limits that apply.
- Watch the fair-use limitUnlimited or very large data plans can have a smaller allowance abroad. Above it, a surcharge can apply.
- Take care on ships, planes and near bordersThere your phone can connect to a network outside the usual roaming rules. Switch off roaming or use flight mode when in doubt.
📇 Who to contact
Sponsor this page → One labelled block, €100 a month. Founding price €75 until 31 January 2027.
❓ Questions
What does fair use mean?
Operators may limit roaming at home prices to normal travel, not living abroad for good, and may cap data abroad on very large plans.
Which countries count as home?
That depends on your plan and on where your operator is based. The rules for Austria are on this page.
Are calls back home free?
Calls home usually cost the same as at home when roaming at home prices applies. Calls to other countries can cost extra.
📎 Sources
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