giffgaff roaming explained for international & EU countries

By Adrian Vincent - 30 Oct 2023, 18:07 giffgaff roaming - International roaming with giffgaff explained

You can use your giffgaff goodybag allowance as normal in the EU and selected European countries, at no additional cost.

However, in accordance with the fair usage policy, you cannot use more than 5GB per month when roaming in the EU with a goodybag. If you go over this limit, you'll be charged 10p / MB.

There are no limits when it comes to calls and texts.

If you're on pay as you go, or you go over your goodybag allowance, you'll be charged at the standard UK rate: 10p per MB, 25p per minute and 10p per text.

What's the best giffgaff SIM for roaming?

All giffgaff SIMs allow you to use your goodybag allowance for free within the EU, up to 5GB per month.

You can find the cheapest giffgaff SIM Only deals for roaming by using our comparison tools. Giffgaff SIMs will work with all phones, including the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 and Apple iPhone 15.

giffgaff EU roaming - after Brexit

giffgaff EU roaming - after Brexit

Despite the UK leaving the EU, you can still roam for free in the EU with giffgaff.

Your goodybag allowance can be used as normal, as if you were at home.

However, if your goodybag has more than a 5GB data allowance, you cannot go over this amount, in accordance with the fair usage policy.

If you go over your goodybag allowance or you exceed the 5GB fair usage policy, you will be charged at the standard pay as you go rate for additional services you use. These charges will come out of your account credit. If you do not have any remaining account credit, roaming will stop working until you purchase another goodybag or top up your account:

  • Data - 10p per MB
  • Calls - 25p per minute
  • Texts - 10p per text

You must be a resident of the UK to roam for free in the EU with giffgaff. You cannot roam in the EU for consecutive periods at a time, or any other period that may look like you live outside the UK.

You can use your giffgaff goodybag allowance for free within the following 38 European countries:

  1. Austria
  2. Belgium
  3. Bulgaria
  4. Croatia
  5. Cyprus
  6. Czech Republic
  7. Denmark
  8. Estonia
  9. Finland
  10. France
  11. French Guiana
  12. Germany
  13. Gibraltar
  14. Greece
  15. Guadeloupe
  16. Hungary
  17. Iceland
  18. Ireland
  19. Italy
  20. Latvia
  21. Liechtenstein
  22. Lithuania
  23. Luxembourg
  24. Malta
  25. Martinique
  26. Mayotte
  27. Netherlands
  28. Norway
  29. Poland
  30. Portugal
  31. Reunion
  32. Romania
  33. San Marino
  34. Slovakia
  35. Slovenia
  36. Spain
  37. Sweden
  38. Ukraine

Can I roam with giffgaff outside the EU?

Can I roam with giffgaff outside the EU?

You can roam in most countries outside the EU with giffgaff.

However, your usage will not come out of your goodybag allowance. Instead, you will be charged at an out of plan rate.

You must have credit in your giffgaff account in order to be charged, or else data, calling and texting will not work.

The zones below show the rate you will be charged for using your giffgaff SIM abroad.

For all other countries, see giffgaff's page on roaming rates.

The following table shows the roaming rates for popular international destinations:

Country Data Making calls Receiving calls Sending texts Receiving texts
Australia 20p / MB £1 / min £1 / min 30p / text Free
Canada 20p / MB £1 / min £1 / min 30p / text Free
USA 20p / MB £1 / min £1 / min 30p / text Free
New Zealand 20p / MB £1 / min £1 / min 30p / text Free

Zone A

For countries within Zone A, you will be charged at the following rates:

  • Data: 20p / MB
  • Making calls: £1 / minute
  • Receiving calls: £1 / minute
  • Sending texts: 30p / text
  • Receiving texts: Free

Zone A comprises of the following 46 international countries:

  1. Albania
  2. Argentina
  3. Australia
  4. Bangladesh
  5. Barbados
  6. Brazil
  7. Canada
  8. Chile
  9. China
  10. Colombia
  11. Costa Rica
  12. Dominican Republic
  13. Ecuador
  14. Egypt
  15. Ghana
  16. Hong Kong
  17. India
  18. Indonesia
  19. Israel
  20. Jamaica
  21. Japan
  22. Kenya
  23. Malaysia
  24. Mexico
  25. Monaco
  26. Montenegro
  27. New Zealand
  28. Nigeria
  29. Pakistan
  30. Panama
  31. Peru
  32. Philippines
  33. Qatar
  34. Russia
  35. Saudi Arabia
  36. Serbia
  37. Singapore
  38. South Africa
  39. South Korea
  40. Sri Lanka
  41. Thailand
  42. Turkey
  43. Ukraine
  44. UAE
  45. USA
  46. Zambia

Zone B

For countries within Zone B, you will be charged at the following rates:

  • Data: 20p / MB
  • Making calls within EU: 15p / minute
  • Receiving calls: Free
  • Sending texts within EU: 5p / text
  • Receiving texts: Free

Zone A comprises of the following 46 international countries:

  1. Guernsey
  2. Isle of Man
  3. Switzerland
  4. Jersey

Zone Europe

For countries within Zone Europe, you will be charged at the following rates if you exceed your goodybag allowance:

  • Data: 10p / MB
  • Making calls within EU: 25p / minute
  • Receiving calls: Free
  • Sending texts within EU: 10p / text
  • Receiving texts: Free

Zone Europe comprises of the following 38 international destinations:

  1. Austria
  2. Belgium
  3. Bulgaria
  4. Croatia
  5. Cyprus
  6. Czech Republic
  7. Denmark
  8. Estonia
  9. Finland
  10. France
  11. French Guiana
  12. Germany
  13. Gibraltar
  14. Greece
  15. Guadeloupe
  16. Hungary
  17. Iceland
  18. Ireland
  19. Italy
  20. Latvia
  21. Liechtenstein
  22. Lithuania
  23. Luxembourg
  24. Malta
  25. Martinique
  26. Mayotte
  27. Netherlands
  28. Norway
  29. Poland
  30. Portugal
  31. Reunion
  32. Romania
  33. San Marino
  34. Slovakia
  35. Slovenia
  36. Spain
  37. Sweden
  38. Ukraine

Does giffgaff have a fair usage policy when roaming?

Does giffgaff have a fair usage policy when roaming?

Yes, giffgaff has a fair usage policy when roaming.

If you’re using your goodybag allowance within the EU and selected European countries, you cannot use more than 5GB in a given month.

If you go over this amount, you will be charged at an out of plan rate, which is 10p per MB (the same as the UK rate). You must have credit in your giffgaff account in order to be charged, or else data will no longer work.

In addition, you cannot reside outside the UK for extended periods of time. If you're roaming with giffgaff within the EU for 63 days or more over a 4 month period, you may be breaking the fair usage policy on free roaming.

If giffgaff believe you are breaking the fair usage policy, they will give you 2 weeks notice before applying a surcharge: 10p / MB, 3.2p / minute and 1p / text.

Furthermore, you may be required to show proof that you are a UK resident, or else your giffgaff SIM might be disconnected.

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

If you exceed your goodybag allowance for the month, you will be charged at the standard UK out of plan rate.

If you’re within the EU or a selected European country, you will be charged 10p per MB outside your allowance, or any data usage over the 5GB fair usage limit.

For all other international countries, you are not able to use your goodybag allowance. Instead, you will be charged at a premium out of plan rate for any services used with giffgaff. See giffgaff roaming charges for more information.

Can I get 5G when roaming with giffgaff?

No, currently giffgaff 5G is only available in the UK with selected goodybags.

FAQs

Can I roam for free in the EU with giffgaff?

Yes, you can use your goodybag allowance for free within 38 European countries.

There is a fair usage policy of 5GB per month, which applies to all goodybags that include more than 5GB data. Any usage over the 5GB limit or over your goodybag allowance will cost 10p / MB.

How can I setup my phone to roam with giffgaff?

Before roaming with giffgaff, you must enable roaming in your phone’s settings.

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 goodybag allowance when roaming with giffgaff?

Yes, if you’re roaming within a qualifying European country, you will be charged 10p for each MB used outside of your goodybag allowance.

Can I tether to another device when roaming with giffgaff?

Yes, you can tether to as many devices as you like when roaming internationally with giffgaff.

The same data limits and restrictions that apply to your phone when roaming will also apply when tethering while roaming.