Roaming outside the EU: where your EU tariff stops working

"Roam like at home" covers only the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. In Switzerland, the UK, the Western Balkans, Turkey or Egypt an EU tariff usually charges for data separately, and much more than at home. That is where a travel eSIM pays off.

Where roam like at home applies

The EU rule has applied since June 2017: in another EU country you pay for calls, texts and data the same as at home. It covers all 27 member states and three countries of the European Economic Area: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

One catch remains: with a large or unlimited data plan at home, your operator may cap how much of it you can use while roaming. Look for "data in the EU" in your tariff.

Where it does not apply, even if it looks like it should

Country	Roam like at home	Note
Switzerland	no	Neither EU nor EEA. A common trap on the way to the Alps.
United Kingdom	no	Since Brexit it depends on your operator and tariff. Check before you go.
Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina	no	The road to the coast through the Balkans leaves the EU.
Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia	no	Popular holiday destinations outside the EU.
Norway, Iceland	yes	Not in the EU, but covered through the EEA.
Croatia, Greece, Italy	yes	EU members.

What it can cost

Prices differ by operator and tariff. Outside the EU, per-megabyte billing or a daily data pass is common, so a week of maps and social media easily adds up. A travel eSIM is paid once in advance and you know exactly how much data you get.

How to avoid surprises

• Before you travel, check in your operator’s app whether your tariff covers the destination.
• Driving through the Balkans, switch data on only once you arrive.
• With a travel eSIM, keep your home SIM on for bank texts but switch off its data roaming.
• Near borders your phone may join a neighbouring country’s network. It happens often in Croatia near Bosnia.