iD Mobile roaming explained for international & EU countries

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

With iD Mobile, you can roam in most countries around the world.

Despite Britain leaving the EU, you can use your allowance for free within 50 European countries, including any add-ons that you may have purchased.

However, if you joined iD Mobile or upgraded/renewed on or after 21 June 2023, there are some limitations.

If your regular allowance is greater than 30GB, you cannot use more than 30GB per month when roaming in the EU. You will be charged £3 per GB for any data over 30GB, up to your regular allowance plus data add-ons. After your regular allowance and data add-ons have been used, the charge will switch to 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB).

If your regular allowance is less than 30GB, you will be charged 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB) for any data over your allowance. However, if you have a data add-on that takes your total allowance for the month to above 30GB, you will be charged £3 per GB for data you use over 30GB until your data add-on has been used. After your data add-on has been used, the charge will switch to 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB).

If you joined iD Mobile before 21 June 2023, there is no limit on the amount of data you can use when roaming in the EU, however fair usage policies remain in place to prevent extended usage or abuse.

For all other countries, you can roam and still use iD Mobile, however you will be charged at an out of tariff rate, which can vary depending on the country you are visiting.

Where can I find the best iD Mobile SIM for roaming?

All iD Mobile SIMs include free EU roaming, which allows you to use your regular allowance in 50 European countries at no additional cost.

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

iD Mobile EU roaming - after Brexit

iD Mobile EU roaming - after Brexit

Despite Britain leaving the EU, you can continue to use your iD Mobile allowance for free within 50 European countries.

Any data, minutes or texts that you use will come out of your allowance, as if you were in the UK.

You can also use any add-ons you have purchased at no additional cost.

However, if you joined iD Mobile or upgraded/renewed on or after 21 June 2023, there are some limitations.

If your regular allowance is greater than 30GB, you cannot use more than 30GB per month when roaming in the EU. You will be charged £3 per GB for any data over 30GB, up to your regular allowance plus data add-ons. After your regular allowance and data add-ons have been used, the charge will switch to 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB).

If your regular allowance is less than 30GB, you will be charged 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB) for any data over your allowance. However, if you have a data add-on that takes your total allowance for the month to above 30GB, you will be charged £3 per GB for data you use over 30GB until your data add-on has been used. After your data add-on has been used, the charge will switch to 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB).

If you joined iD Mobile before 21 June 2023, there is no limit on the amount of data you can use when roaming in the EU.

Regardless of when you joined iD Mobile, the fair usage policy states that you cannot roam in the EU for more than 2 months over a 4 month period, or else you will no longer be defined as a permanent UK resident. If iD Mobile believe you are excessively using your allowance within the EU for extended periods, they may charge you at an out of plan rate:

  • 3.2p per minute
  • 1p per text
  • 10p per MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB)

The 50 free European countries you can use your allowance in are made up of Band 1 (46 countries) and Band 2 (4 countries).

If you’re in a Band 2 country, you can only use your minutes and texts to call and message people in the same country you are currently in or back the UK. Any other calls or texts will be charged at the same UK out of plan rate.

With Band 1, you can call or text to any other phone within Band 1 (including the current country you are in) or back to the UK. Calling or texting to Band 2 countries will be charged at the standard UK out of plan rate.

For more information on iD Mobile bands, see further down this page.

You can roam for free and use your allowance with iD Mobile within the following 50 European destinations:

  1. Austria
  2. Azerbaijan
  3. Azores
  4. Belarus
  5. Belgium
  6. Bulgaria
  7. Canary Islands
  8. Croatia
  9. 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. Ireland
  24. Isle of Man
  25. Italy
  26. Jersey
  27. Kazakhstan
  28. Latvia
  29. Liechtenstein
  30. Lithuania
  31. Luxembourg
  32. Macedonia
  33. Madeira
  34. Malta
  35. Martinique
  36. Monaco
  37. Netherlands
  38. Norway
  39. Poland
  40. Portugal
  41. Romania
  42. Réunion
  43. Saint Barthélemy
  44. Saint-Martin
  45. San Marino
  46. Slovakia
  47. Slovenia
  48. Spain
  49. Sweden
  50. Vatican City

Can I roam with iD Mobile outside the EU?

You can roam in most countries around the world with iD Mobile.

However, for any country outside the EU or not covered by one of the 50 European destinations that you can use your allowance in for free, you will be charged at an out of plan rate.

Depending on the country you are in, the cost to use a service can be considerably high.

The most iD Mobile can automatically charge you when roaming internationally is £45 each month. You can remove this cap if you wish by contacting iD Mobile.

For full charges by country, see iD Mobile roaming charges.

Below are the out of plan charges for popular international destinations with iD Mobile:

Country Data Calls to UK Calls within country Calls received Texts to UK Texts within country
Australia 30p / MB £1.68 / minute £1.68 / minute £1.50 / minute 42p / text 42p / text
Canada £9.60 / MB £6 / minute £6 / minute £1.50 / minute £1.20 / text £1.20 / text
India £1.50 / MB £2.40 / minute £2.40 / minute £2.40 / minute 60p / text 60p / text
New Zealand 30p / MB £1.68 / minute £1.68 / minute £1.50 / minute 42p / text 42p / text
USA 30p / MB £1.68 / minute £1.68 / minute £1.50 / minute 42p / text 42p / text

Does iD Mobile have a fair usage policy when roaming?

You must adhere to the fair usage policy when roaming for free within the EU.

The fair usage policy states that you cannot roam in the EU for more than 2 months over a 4 month period, or else you will no longer be defined as a permanent UK resident. If iD Mobile believe you are excessively using your allowance within the EU for extended periods, they may charge you at an out of plan rate:

Service Cost
Data 10p / MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB)
Minutes 3.2p / minute
Texts 1p / text

If you plan on staying within the EU for 2 months or longer over a 4 month period with iD Mobile, we recommend switching to a local SIM card instead.

Can I get 5G when roaming with iD Mobile?

5G is only available within the UK with iD Mobile. The maximum signal you can receive when roaming with iD Mobile is 4G.

iD Mobile Bands

iD Mobile Bands

With iD Mobile, you can roam for free and use your allowance in Band 1 and Band 2 countries.

If you’re within a Band 2 country, you can only use your minutes and texts to call and message people in the same country you are currently in or to the UK. If you message or text to a different Band 2 country, or any Band 1 country, you will be charged at the standard UK out of plan rate.

With Band 1, you can call or text to any other phone within Band 1 or the UK. If you call or text countries within Band 2, you will be charged at the standard UK out of plan rate.

iD Mobile Band 1 countries

Band 1 consists of the following 46 European countries:

  1. Austria
  2. Azores
  3. Belgium
  4. Bulgaria
  5. Canary Islands
  6. Croatia
  7. Cyprus
  8. Czech Republic
  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. Ireland
  22. Isle of Man
  23. Italy
  24. Jersey
  25. Latvia
  26. Liechtenstein
  27. Lithuania
  28. Luxembourg
  29. Madeira
  30. Malta
  31. Martinique
  32. Monaco
  33. Netherlands
  34. Norway
  35. Poland
  36. Portugal
  37. Réunion
  38. Romania
  39. Saint Barthélemy
  40. Saint-Martin
  41. San Marino
  42. Slovakia
  43. Slovenia
  44. Spain
  45. Sweden
  46. Vatican City

iD Mobile Band 2 countries

Band 2 consists of the following 4 countries:

  1. Azerbaijan
  2. Macedonia
  3. Belarus
  4. Kazakhstan

Will I be charged if I exceed my allowance when roaming with iD Mobile?

Will I be charged if I exceed my allowance when roaming with iD Mobile?

When roaming in the EU, you will receive a text message when you reach 80% of your regular allowance.

If you exceed your allowance, you will be charged at the out of plan rate until your next billing period:

Service Cost
Data 10p / MB (equivalent to £100.00 per GB)
Minutes 3.2p / minute
Texts 1p / text

For countries where you cannot used your allowance for free, you will be charged at a premium rate, depending on the services you use and the country you are in.

iD Mobile data add-ons

If you run out of your data allowance when roaming within the EU, you can buy a data add-on to continue using data.

iD Mobile data add-ons work in the UK and EU. They do not work in other countries.

Data Cost
15GB for 12 months £30.00
6GB for 12 months £15.00
6GB for 30 days £10.00
3GB for 30 days £8.00
1GB for 30 days £5.00
500MB for 7 days £3.00
300MB for 7 days £2.00
100MB for 7 days £1.00

You can purchase a data add-on via the iD Mobile app or through your account online.

FAQs

Can I roam for free in the EU with iD Mobile?

Yes, you can use your regular allowance for free within 50 EU and European countries.

How can I setup my phone to roam with iD Mobile?

Before roaming with iD Mobile 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 allowance when roaming with iD Mobile?

Yes, you will be charged at an out of plan rate, depending on the country you are in.

Can I tether to another device when roaming with iD Mobile?

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