As soon as you use your mobile phone to make calls, text messages or surf the Internet abroad, you automatically use what is known as roaming. Roaming charges may vary depending on the mobile operator and country. If you do not need a network or internet while on the move, you can deactivate roaming in the settings of your mobile phone and thus save costs. In this post we explain the most important basics of roaming.
What is roaming?
The term " roaming ", which comes from English, stands for the use of cellular networks or the Internet abroad. The country-specific networks are used for this. So if you are in France, for example, you are making calls on the French cellular network. Depending on the country, there may be either no or different costs. In the following sections we have differentiated for you between EU and non-EU countries.
Roaming charges abroad
In the EU
Since 2017, you have been able to make calls, write SMS and surf in the member states of the European Union at no additional cost . Thanks to the EU regulation " roam like at home " (use your mobile phone abroad like at home), all of Europe is treated like a single tariff zone. This regulation also applies to Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway . If the UK leaves the EU as part of Brexit, this will also have an impact on roaming. In areas bordering countries that do not belong to the EU, however, make sure to check which network your cell phone is in. At the border with Switzerland, for example, your cell phone may log into the Swiss network. Even The EU regulation does not apply to ships and airplanes, which means that the use of the network and the Internet can also result in high costs. In the following table we have listed a few special cases of the EU roaming scope for you..
| Special cases: The EU roaming regulation also applies here | The EU roaming regulation does NOT apply here |
| Canary Islands | Switzerland |
| Madeira and the Azores | San Marino |
| French overseas territories, such as French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy | Vatican city |
| | Channel Islands and Isle of Man |
| | Monaco (unless you are a customer of a French mobile operator) |
| | Andorra (unless you are a customer of a Spanish or French mobile operator) |
| | Faroe Islands (belong to Denmark, but not to the EU) |
| Sonderfälle: Hier gilt auch die EU-Roamingverordnung | Hier gilt die EU-Roamingverordnung NICHT |
| kanarische Inseln | Schweiz |
| Madeira und die Azoren | San Marino |
| französische Überseegebiete, wie Französisch-Guayana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy | Vatikanstadt |
| | Kanalinseln und Isle of Man |
| | Monaco (außer Sie sind Kunde eines frz. Mobilfunkanbieters) |
| | Andorra (außer Sie sind Kunde eines span. oder frz. Mobilfunkanbieters) |
| | Färöer-Inseln (Gehören zwar zu Dänemark, aber nicht zur EU) |
Non-EU countries
In non-EU countries, mobile phone providers still sometimes charge significant surcharges . Not only for outgoing calls and SMS, but also for incoming ones. There is an upper limit for mobile internet. If a user has spent almost 60 euros , an automatic lock protects against even more costs. Some mobile phone providers have special international options where you can access the network in the form of a daily or weekly flat rate . However, these are sometimes very expensive and only available for some countries. If you are staying abroad for a longer period of time, a prepaid card or a change to the tariff of a local provider is probably worthwhile .
What else is there to consider?
If network operators recognize that you are spending more than 4 months in another EU country and continue to use free EU roaming during this period, they may charge surcharges. Before that happens, however, you will be informed by your provider. This clause is intended to prevent customers from using their domestic tariff permanently when they are abroad or from buying a cheaper tariff abroad and then continuing to use it in their home country..
Avoid high costs
So that the cost of your mobile phone bill does not skyrocket unnoticed while you are abroad, we have some tips for you on how you can save on roaming while traveling. The simplest tip is: use the free WiFi in your hotel or accommodation . Here you can, for example, download an offline map from Google Maps and thus navigate through foreign countries without the Internet. Even in public institutions, museums or cafes abroad there is sometimes WiFi that you can use free of charge. Also, be sure to turn your phone on flight mode to avoid getting expensive calls from relatives or friends.
