EE roaming explained for international & EU countries

By Adrian Vincent - 30 Oct 2023, 18:08 EE roaming - International roaming with EE explained

Following the UK leaving the EU, EE have reintroduced European roaming charges for most customers.

If your EE plan started before 7 July 2021, and you have not upgraded or renewed your contract since, you can continue to roam for free in the EU with EE.

However, if your plan started on or after 7 July 2021 (including renewals and upgrades), you will have to pay £2.29 per day to use your allowance within the EU.

Alternatively, you can purchase a Roam Abroad Pass for £25 per month, which allows you to use your allowance in the EU and 5 international destinations (USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand).

If your plan comes with Inclusive Extras (previously known as Smart Benefits), you can choose the Roam Abroad Pass as one of your free Inclusive Extras, without paying the £25 monthly fee.

For other countries, you can purchase a Travel Data Pass, or be charged at a standard out of plan rate (which is typically expensive).

What's the best EE SIM Only plan for roaming?

For free EU roaming, make sure you choose an EE SIM Only plan which includes Inclusive Extras. Once you receive your SIM, you must then select the Roaming Abroad Pass as one of your Inclusive Extras, which allows you to use your regular allowance in 47 European destinations and 5 international destinations at no additional cost.

You can find the cheapest EE SIM Only deals by using our comparison tools. EE SIMs will work with all phones, including the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 and Apple iPhone 16.

EE EU roaming - after Brexit

EE EU roaming - after Brexit

Starting from March 2022, you may have to pay to use your regular EE allowance within the EU.

If your EE plan started before 7 July 2021, and you have not upgraded or renewed your contract since, the old rules will apply, and you can continue to roam for free in the EU.

However, if your EE plan started on or after 7 July 2021 (including renewals and upgrades), you will likely have to pay to use your regular allowance within the EU.

To use your allowance within the EU, you can choose to pay £2.29 per day, or alternatively purchase a monthly Roam Abroad Pass for £25 per month. The Roam Abroad Pass also includes 5 international countries (USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand).

If your EE plan comes with Inclusive Extras, you can select the Roam Abroad Pass as one of your Inclusive Extras, effectively allowing you to continue roaming for free within the EU - just like pre-Brexit rules.

EE EU roaming option Cost Countries
Automatic daily charge £2.29 per day 47 European destinations
Roam Abroad Pass £25 per month 47 European destinations + 5 other international countries
Roam Abroad Pass with Inclusive Extras plan Free, if you pick the Roam Abroad Pass as your free Inclusive Extras 47 European destinations + 5 other international countries

If you don't have a Roam Abroad Pass, you will automatically be charged £2.29 per day whenever you use your allowances within the EU, such as using mobile data, making a call or sending a text.

The £2.29 daily charge and Roam Abroad Pass allows you to use your EE allowance within the following 47 European destinations:

  1. Austria
  2. Azores
  3. Belgium
  4. Bulgaria
  5. Croatia
  6. Cyprus (excludes northern Cyprus)
  7. Czech Republic
  8. Canary Islands
  9. Denmark
  10. Estonia
  11. Finland
  12. France
  13. French Guiana
  14. Germany
  15. Gibraltar
  16. Greece
  17. Guadeloupe
  18. Guernsey
  19. Hungary
  20. Iceland
  21. Isle of Man
  22. Italy
  23. Jersey
  24. Latvia
  25. Lichtenstein
  26. Lithuania
  27. Luxembourg
  28. Madeira
  29. Malta
  30. Martinique
  31. Mayotte
  32. Monaco
  33. Netherlands
  34. Norway
  35. Poland
  36. Portugal
  37. Reunion Islands
  38. Romania
  39. San Marino
  40. Saint Martin (French)
  41. Saint Barthelemy
  42. Slovakia
  43. Slovenia
  44. Spain
  45. Sweden
  46. Switzerland
  47. Vatican City (Italy)

The Roam Abroad Pass also lets you use your allowance within the following 5 international countries:

  1. USA
  2. Canada
  3. Mexico
  4. Australia
  5. New Zealand

EE Roam Abroad Pass

EE Roam Abroad add-on

The Roam Abroad Pass will allow you to use your allowance in 47 European destinations and 5 additional international countries.

A Roam Abroad Pass costs £25 per month, unless you have an Inclusive Extras plan and choose the Roam Abroad Pass as one of your free Inclusive Extras.

If you run out of data, you can purchase a data add-on - it costs and works the same as if you were in the UK.

For plans with a data allowance greater than 50GB, there is a fair usage policy of 50GB per month with the Roam Abroad Pass.

How can I get the Roam Abroad Pass?

If you’re on an Inclusive Extras plan, you can choose the Roam Abroad Pass as one of your free Inclusive Extras. It will renew for free each month, until you pick a different Inclusive Extra.

You can choose your Inclusive Extra by texting PICK to 150 or choose it via the EE app or website:

  1. Login to the EE website or open the EE app on your phone
  2. Select Menu > Plans, Inclusive Extras & add-ons > Inclusive Extras
  3. Choose the Roam Abroad Pass

For all other plans, you must pay £25 per month for the Roam Abroad Pass.

If you have an Inclusive Extras plan, but you don't want to change or remove your currently selected Inclusive Extras, you must also pay £25 per month for the Roam Abroad Pass.

You can purchase the Roam Abroad Pass by texting ROAMING PASS to 150.

To cancel the Roam Abroad Pass, text STOP ROAMING PASS to 150. However, it's important to note you will still be charged £25 for the full month, and not just for the days you had the Roaming Abroad Pass enabled.

If you're paying for the Roam Abroad Pass, but then change one of your Inclusive Extras to the Roam Abroad Pass, the chargeable version will be cancelled automatically, and your Inclusive Extra will take priority.

Which countries are included with the EE Roam Abroad add-on?

You can use you allowance in the following 52 destinations with a Roam Abroad Pass, including 47 European destinations and 5 international destinations (highlighted in bold).

  1. Australia
  2. Austria
  3. Azores
  4. Belgium
  5. Bulgaria
  6. Canada
  7. Canary Islands
  8. Croatia
  9. Cyprus (excludes northern Cyprus)
  10. Czech Republic
  11. Denmark
  12. Estonia
  13. Finland
  14. France
  15. French Guiana
  16. Germany
  17. Gibraltar
  18. Greece
  19. Guadeloupe
  20. Guernsey
  21. Hungary
  22. Iceland
  23. Isle of Man
  24. Italy
  25. Jersey
  26. Latvia
  27. Lichtenstein
  28. Lithuania
  29. Luxembourg
  30. Madeira
  31. Malta
  32. Martinique
  33. Mayotte
  34. Mexico
  35. Monaco
  36. Netherlands
  37. New Zealand
  38. Norway
  39. Poland
  40. Portugal
  41. Reunion Islands
  42. Romania
  43. Saint Barthelemy
  44. Saint Martin (French)
  45. San Marino
  46. Slovakia
  47. Slovenia
  48. Spain
  49. Sweden
  50. Switzerland
  51. USA
  52. Vatican City (Italy)

EE Travel Pass

EE Travel Pass

For a daily charge, you can get a set amount of data to use in selected countries outside the UK with Travel Pass.

You can get the Travel Pass by texting TRAVEL to 150.

You will automatically be charged per day if you use your data within one of the qualifying countries.

The amount you pay and the amount of data you receive will depend on the country you are visiting.

If you use your daily limit, you won't automatically be charged again for the remaining day. Instead, EE will send you a text message, and give you the option to pay again for the same day (until midnight UK time).

Your data will reset at midnight UK time, regardless of when you purchase the Travel Pass.

If you no longer want the Travel Pass, you can cancel it and you won't automatically being charged again, by texting STOP TRAVEL to 150. However, you will be charged at an out of plan international rate if you continue to use your EE phone or SIM, which can work out more expensive. You can always re-enable the Travel Pass by by texting TRAVEL to 150 again.

EE Travel Pass - £6.26 per day for 500MB data

Get 500MB data for £6.26 per day within the following 2 countries:

  1. USA
  2. Canada

EE Travel Pass - £7.84 per day for 500MB data

Get 500MB data for £7.84 per day within the following 9 countries:

  1. Australia
  2. China
  3. India
  4. Mexico
  5. New Zealand
  6. South Africa
  7. Thailand
  8. Turkey
  9. UAE

EE Travel Pass - £7.84 per day for 150MB data

Get 150MB data for £7.84 per day within the following 45 countries:

  1. Albania
  2. Andorra
  3. Argentina
  4. Armenia
  5. Bangladesh
  6. Belize
  7. Bermuda
  8. Brazil
  9. Brunei
  10. Cambodia
  11. Chile
  12. Colombia
  13. Costa Rica
  14. Ecuador
  15. Georgia
  16. Ghana
  17. Hong Kong
  18. Indonesia
  19. Israel
  20. Jamaica
  21. Japan
  22. Kenya
  23. Kuwait
  24. Macedonia
  25. Malaysia
  26. Moldova
  27. Montenegro
  28. Myanmar
  29. Nicaragua
  30. Nigeria
  31. Oman
  32. Pakistan
  33. Peru
  34. Philippines
  35. Qatar
  36. Russia
  37. Saudi Arabia
  38. Serbia
  39. Singapore
  40. South Korea
  41. Sri Lanka
  42. Taiwan
  43. Ukraine
  44. Uruguay
  45. Venezuela

Does EE have a fair usage policy when roaming?

If you have an EE plan with an allowance greater than 50GB, you cannot use more than 50GB per month when roaming with EE. This applies to the £2.29 EU roaming charge and the Roam Abroad Pass.

If you’re approaching the fair usage limit, you will receive a text from EE, with details on the amount you will be charged if you go over the limit.

Can I get EE 5G when roaming internationally?

Although 5G connectivity is possible when roaming outside the UK with EE, it's not guaranteed - it's entirely up to the local network in the country or area you are visiting.

Most countries should support 4G speeds at a minimum, however you might see your connectivity drop to 3G in more remote areas.

FAQs

Can I roam for free in the EU with EE?

From March 2022, you will have to pay to roam in the EU with EE.

You will be charged £2.29 per day to use your allowance in the EU, unless you purchase a Roam Abroad Pass for £25 per month.

However, if you have a Inclusive Extras plan, you can pick the Roam Abroad Pass as one of your free Inclusive Extras to continue free EU roaming.

How can I setup my phone to roam with EE?

You must enable roaming in your phone's settings in order to use your EE plan internationally.

For Android users:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Go to Connections -> Mobile networks -> Roaming
  3. Enable Data roaming

For iPhone users:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Go to Mobile data -> Mobile Data Options
  3. Enable Data Roaming

Will I be charged if I go over my allowance when roaming with EE?

Yes, you will be charged an out of tariff rate if you go over your allowance or over the fair usage policy.

You will receive a text when you reach 80% of your limit.

If you're running out of your data allowance when roaming, you can purchase a data add-on, which will work just like in the UK.

See EE roaming costs for more information.

Can I tether to another device when roaming with EE?

Yes, any data that you are entitled to or data that you purchase when roaming internationally can be used towards tethering.