Do I pay extra to use my phone in other EU countries with a plan from Germany?
In the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, calls, texts and mobile data cost the same as in Germany ('roam like at home'), with the same conditions, such as 5G where it is available there (Regulation (EU) 2022/612).
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 Germany is below.
📜 The rules in Germany
The details
- The EU's Your Europe portal lists Moldova and Ukraine as also covered by roam like at home. (europa.eu)
- Providers may set fair-use limits and charge surcharges, for example if you roam permanently or stay mainly abroad. Your data volume abroad can be capped under certain conditions. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
- When you enter another EU country, your provider must warn you about surcharges on service numbers such as 0180, 0800 and 0900, and inform you about 112 and alternative emergency services. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
- The rules cover land-based networks only: networks on ships, planes or via satellite can cost much more. Wi-Fi calls are not covered and may be billed like international calls from Germany. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
Bundesnetzagentur – Kundenschutz Telekommunikation
Contact it about roaming charges with the telecom customer-protection contact form.
Schlichtungsstelle Telekommunikation der Bundesnetzagentur
Handles disputed roaming bills, for example when roam like at home was not applied.
🪜 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 Germany 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
- bundesnetzagentur.de →
- europa.eu →
- bundesnetzagentur.de →
- bundesnetzagentur.de →
- bundesnetzagentur.de →
- bundesnetzagentur.de →
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