Mobile roaming: Travelling to the UK
- Graham Crewe
- Apr 3, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 26
We've all heard horror stories of people returning home to three- or even four-digit bills from their mobile phone providers. The EU's "roam like at home" policy means that this is a thing of the past for those who travel within the EU. Frustratingly though, following Brexit, these stories are back in the news for those travelling between the EU and the UK. For example, Debbie from Upper Austria:
I forgot to turn my data off, when I first arrived in the UK. A few hours later, I got hit with an €86 bill from Bob!
And Ulrike from Salzburg:
Just a warning to my fellow travellers to the UK: I‘ve just been stung with an A1 bill of €166 for 11MB of roaming, which I incurred accidentally. I forgot to turn off my mobile data for less than 30 mins. It‘s absolutely crazy.
So what is the best way for someone with an Austrian (or anywhere else in the EU) mobile phone contract to prepare for using their phone in the UK, balancing cost with sufficient gigabytes of data - and calls of course?
Before we go on...
If your mobile phone network operator is Magenta, HoT (Hofer) or Spusu, you are probably fine to roam in the UK on your current contract (April 2025). See the next section to check your contract. If your network operator is not one of those three, you may be about to make an expensive mistake. Read on… Be aware that implementing a solution to your UK roaming problem will take time. You need to research your current plan as well as organise an alternative. You should do this at least two weeks in advance. Don't leave it until the night before or you are likely to significantly reduce your options and it will probably be more expensive.
Please note that this article is written entirely independently of all mentioned companies. No commission is received from anyone and none of the links earns money for us.
Does your current network operator offer free UK roaming?
Currently (April 2025) we believe that only the following network operators offer free UK roaming. Follow the links to check that this is still true and that it applies to your contract:
If you are not with Magenta, HoT or Spusu and you are not in the middle of a "Tariff mit Handy" contract then consider switching. This can be done very easily but the process of switching your existing number to your new provider takes around a week. I was able to reduce my monthly mobile phone charge from €33 to €10 with improved terms and conditions (e.g. free calls to the UK, no contract).
What's the best UK-based solution?
One solution for those who don't have free roaming in the UK is giffgaff, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) running on the UK's O2 network. This is used and recommended by many British citizens living overseas.
Most modern mobile phones will these days accept eSIMs which are virtual SIM cards. You can register with Giffgaff via the app and install an eSim by following the instructions here.
Alternatively, as the screenshot of the giffgaff homepage above shows, you can order a giffgaff physical SIM card online; they will even deliver it to you in Austria! You can also buy a giffgaff SIM card at any UK supermarket for £1. Once you have a giffgaff SIM card you simply put it into your phone's SIM slot, download the giffgaff app and charge your account either with a "monthly rolling plan" subscription (no!) or with a "pay as you go plan" (yes!).
These pay-as-you-go plans give you calls and data in the UK for a month with no subscription. Plans start at £6 for 1Gb but the most appropriate one is probably the £10 15Gb plan (see below). £10 is approximately €11.80 (January 2025).
Giffgaff pay-as-you-go plans (January 2025):
Cost | £6 | £8 | £10 | £12 | £15 | £20 | £25 | £35 |
Data limit | 1Gb | 4 Gb | 15 Gb | 25 Gb | 30 Gb | 80 Gb | 80 (always on) | 150 Gb |
You can start using your giffgaff data in the EU since EU roaming is included. Turn mobile data on for the giffgaff SIM card whilst still in the EU (for example at the airport), and turn your EU SIM card's mobile data off. This will ensure that your phone doesn't connect to the internet in the background (e.g. to look for new messages) on arrival in the UK without you knowing.
The one thing to beware of is that international calls are NOT included in giffgaff plans so if you want to make a call to Austria you have two choices:
buy additional giffgaff credit (calls to Austrian mobiles cost £0.05/minute - pricing)
call for free using your included data using an app such as WhatsApp, Skype, Signal etc. (recommended)
How do I prepare for a giffgaff SIM card
Giffgaff is available on both physical SIM and eSIM. Most modern mobile phones accept eSIMs and you should have no problems adding the giffgaff eSIM to your phone. Just follow the instructions in the giffgaff app.
Setting up and using dual SIM
Using two SIM cards in one phone is surprisingly straightforward. Essentially you just turn data on for one SIM card and off for the other in your phone's mobile data settings before you cross borders. When making phone calls your phone will ask you which SIM card you want to use; when you're in the UK use your giffgaff card for UK calls and as explained above, avoid calling Austria other than via WhatsApp etc.
For further information see:
Finally
We hope this article has helped you to find the solution to travelling to the UK with your mobile without any nasty surprises on your return.
If you have any suggestions to improve the article, update any of the information or correct any errors, please use the comments below. Have a great time in the UK!
