During the summer months, many people travel abroad for vacation. And especially in a new place, a smartphone is a great asset. Whether you’re looking for the nearest restaurant on Maps or searching for the hotel reservation confirmation in your emails, mobile internet is a welcome support while on the go. Thanks to the EU roaming rules that came into effect in the summer of 2017, you no longer have to worry about incurring expenses for using your phone abroad within the European Union. The days of having to disable mobile data before crossing borders are thankfully behind us.
However, even with the EU regulations in place, one must still be cautious of roaming pitfalls. Before lounging on one of the EU beaches while watching YouTube videos, it’s important to consider the following points.
1. Limited Data Volume:
In most cases, the entire data volume available for domestic use may not be usable abroad. The specific values are determined by a calculation formula of the EU roaming regulation, which dictates the minimum amount that must be made available. Generally, the cheaper the tariff, the less EU data volume is typically provided. Virtual mobile operators also tend to offer less than the usually more expensive tariffs of major network operators. It’s essential to check with your provider before traveling to the EU to know how much data volume is available for your use.
2. Caution in Certain Countries and Areas:
While the EU roaming rules apply to Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein as part of the European Economic Area (EEA), they do not apply to the UK, San Marino, Andorra, Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Vatican City, and Switzerland. It’s crucial to verify with your mobile operator before using mobile data in these regions.
3. Avoid Accidental Network Selection near EU External Borders:
When vacationing near the external borders of the EU, it’s important to be cautious. Your phone may automatically connect to a foreign network on the other side of the border if no other mobile mast is in range. To prevent this, disable automatic network selection on your phone and manually choose the correct network.
4. Be Cautious on Cruise Ships and Ferries:
Special attention is required on cruise ships and ferries as they often have their own onboard networks where the EU roaming rules do not apply. Charges in these networks can be extremely high, so it’s advisable to manually select the network to avoid unexpected costs.
5. Calls to EU Countries While Abroad:
When calling an EU foreign number while being in the same country, be aware of the possible costs. While these costs are manageable compared to data roaming charges, it’s essential to be conscious of the charges for calls and SMS. Calling from abroad to your home country is usually treated as if you were at home, with charges deducted from your balance or no additional cost in practice.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid falling into roaming traps while traveling within the EU. Enjoy your vacation without worrying about unexpected charges on your phone bill!