Vodafone roaming explained for international & EU countries

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

You can roam in most countries around the world with Vodafone.

However, since 31 January 2022, some customers may have to pay to continue using their allowance in Europe.

If you joined Vodafone before 11 August 2021, and you haven’t upgraded or renewed since, you can continue to enjoy free EU roaming.

If you’re on a 3 Xtra benefits plan, you can continue to roam for free within 51 EU destinations, regardless of when you joined Vodafone. Some 3 Xtra benefits plans also include international roaming, for a total of 83 destinations.

If you joined or upgraded on or after 11 August 2021, and you’re not on a 3 Xtra benefits plan, you will have to pay for £2.25 per day to use your allowance within the EU.

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

To continue free EU roaming with Vodafone, you must purchase a SIM or phone with a 3 Xtra benefits plan.

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

Vodafone EU roaming - after Brexit

Vodafone EU roaming - after Brexit

From 31 January 2022, you may have to pay to use your allowance within the EU, depending on the type of plan you have and when your contract started.

Regardless of when you joined Vodafone or the type of plan you have, roaming will continue to be free in 4 destinations: Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland and Norway.

If your pay monthly contract started before 11th August 2021, and you haven't upgraded or renewed your contract since, you can continue to roam in the EU free of charge, regardless of your plan.

However, if joined Vodafone or upgraded your plan on or after 11 August 2021, you may have to pay to use your allowance within the EU, depending on the type of plan you have.

You can continue to use your allowance for free in the EU (51 destinations) with any 3 Xtra benefits plan. Some 3 Xtra benefits plans also come with additional international destinations, for a total of 83 roaming destinations

For any other plan, you will have to pay to use your allowance within the EU:

  • £2.25 per day (automatically charged)
  • £10 for 8 days (text 8DAYEUROPE to 40506)
  • £15 for 15 days (text 15DAYEUROPE to 40506)

For existing customers who do not upgrade or change their contract, you may still have free EU roaming included with your plan, even if the new rules state otherwise:

  • Any plan started before 11 August 2021 (Zone B)
  • Unlimited Max plan started between 12 July 2019 and 14 June 2021 (Zone B and C)
  • Red Entertainment Plan started between 4 September 2018 and 11 July 2019 (Zone B and C)

However, the moment you upgrade your contract or change your plan, the new rules will apply, and you may no longer be eligible for free EU roaming.

Whenever you upgrade, change or renew your plan, talk to Vodafone if you're unsure if you will have to start paying for EU roaming.

Vodafone Basics Plan

You cannot use your regular allowance in any country outside the UK with a Vodafone Basic plan.

Instead, you will be charged at a premium out of tariff rate.

We don’t recommend you roam outside the UK if you have a Vodafone Basics Plan, as the rate is expensive. You should consider switching your plan or purchasing a local SIM card.

See Vodafone roaming rates for out of tariff prices in different countries.

3 Xtra benefits: free EU roaming in 51 destinations

If you have a Vodafone 3 Xtra benefits plan, you can use your regular allowance in Zone A and Zone B (51 European destinations) at no additional cost.

Some 3 Xtra benefits plans also include an additional 32 international destinations (Zone C), for a total of 83.

With a Vodafone 3 Xtra benefits plan, you can use you regular allowance for free within the following 51 European destinations:

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

Unlimited Max + 3 Xtra benefits: free roaming in 83 destinations

With selected Unlimited Max + 3 Xtra benefits plans, you can use your allowance within Zone A and Zone B (51 European destinations) and Zone C (32 worldwide destinations), for a total of 83 destinations.

For £6.85 per day, you can add Zone D, which includes an additional 73 worldwide destinations, for a total of 156 destinations.

You'll be able to roam and use your allowance for free within the following 83 destinations:

  1. Aland Islands
  2. Albania
  3. Anguilla
  4. Antigua and Barbuda
  5. Aruba
  6. Australia
  7. Austria
  8. Azores
  9. Balearic Islands
  10. Barbados
  11. Belgium
  12. Bermuda
  13. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  14. British Virgin Islands
  15. Bulgaria
  16. Canada
  17. Canary Islands
  18. Cayman Islands
  19. Croatia
  20. Cyprus except Northern Cyprus
  21. Czech Republic
  22. Denmark
  23. Dominica
  24. Estonia
  25. Faroe Islands
  26. Finland
  27. France (incl. Corsica)
  28. French Guiana
  29. Germany
  30. Ghana
  31. Gibraltar
  32. Greece
  33. Grenada
  34. Guadeloupe
  35. Guernsey
  36. Hungary
  37. Iceland
  38. Isle of Man
  39. Italy
  40. Jamaica
  41. Jersey
  42. Kenya
  43. Latvia
  44. Lesotho
  45. Liechtenstein
  46. Lithuania
  47. Luxembourg
  48. Madeira
  49. Malta
  50. Martinique
  51. Mayotte
  52. Mexico
  53. Monaco
  54. Montserrat
  55. Mozambique
  56. Netherlands
  57. New Zealand
  58. Norway
  59. Poland
  60. Portugal
  61. Republic of Ireland
  62. Reunion
  63. Romania
  64. Saba
  65. San Marino
  66. Sint Eustatius
  67. Sint Maarten
  68. Slovakia
  69. Slovenia
  70. South Africa
  71. Spain
  72. St. Barthelemy
  73. St. Kitts and Nevis
  74. St. Lucia
  75. St. Martin
  76. St. Vincent
  77. Sweden
  78. Switzerland
  79. Trinidad and Tobago
  80. Turkey and North Cyprus
  81. Turks and Caicos
  82. United States of America
  83. Vatican City

Vodafone Zones

Vodafone Zones

Depending on your plan, you can use your allowance in different zones, either for free or at a set price.

  • Zone A: Included with all plans
  • Zone B: Included with 3 Xtra benefits plans, or else £2.25 per day
  • Zone C: Included with some Unlimited Max + 3 Xtra benefits plans, or else £6.85 per day
  • Zone D: Not included with any plans. Costs £6.85 per day

Vodafone Zone A

Zone A is included with all plans free of charge, and covers 4 destinations:

  1. Republic of Ireland
  2. Isle of Man
  3. Iceland
  4. Norway

Vodafone Zone B

Zone B includes 47 European destinations. With selected plans, Zone B is included in your plan at no additional cost:

  • 3 Xtra benefits

For all other plans, you must pay a set amount to use your allowance in Zone B:

  • £2.25 per day (automatically charged)
  • £10 for 8 days (text 8DAYEUROPE to 40506)
  • £15 for 15 days (text 15DAYEUROPE to 40506)

Zone B includes the following 47 European destinations:

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

Vodafone Zone C

Zone C covers 32 worldwide destinations.

If you’re on a selected Unlimited Max + 3 Xtra benefits plan, Zone C is included at no additional cost.

For all other plans, you must pay £6.85 per day to use your allowance in Zone C. You'll also get access to Zone A and B.

Zone C includes the following 32 destinations:

  1. Albania
  2. Anguilla
  3. Antigua and Barbuda
  4. Aruba
  5. Australia
  6. Barbados
  7. Bermuda
  8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  9. British Virgin Islands
  10. Canada
  11. Cayman Islands
  12. Dominica
  13. Ghana
  14. Grenada
  15. Jamaica
  16. Kenya
  17. Lesotho
  18. Mexico
  19. Montserrat
  20. Mozambique
  21. New Zealand
  22. Saba
  23. Sint Eustatius
  24. Sint Maarten
  25. South Africa
  26. St. Kitts and Nevis
  27. St. Lucia
  28. St. Vincent
  29. Trinidad and Tobago
  30. Turkey and North Cyprus
  31. Turks and Caicos
  32. United States of America

Vodafone Zone D

Zone D includes 73 worldwide destinations outside of the EU.

Regardless of the plan you are on, you must pay £6.85 per day to use your allowance in Zone D.

Zone D covers the following 73 destinations:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. Andorra
  3. Argentina
  4. Armenia
  5. Bahrain
  6. Bangladesh
  7. Bonaire
  8. Brazil
  9. Cambodia
  10. Chile
  11. China
  12. Colombia
  13. Congo, Democratic Republic of
  14. Costa Rica
  15. Curacao
  16. Dominican Republic
  17. Ecuador
  18. Egypt
  19. El Salvador
  20. Fiji
  21. Georgia
  22. Guatemala
  23. Guyana
  24. Haiti
  25. Honduras
  26. Hong Kong
  27. India
  28. Indonesia
  29. Israel
  30. Japan
  31. Jordan
  32. Kazakhstan
  33. Kuwait
  34. Laos
  35. Macau
  36. Macedonia
  37. Malaysia
  38. Moldova
  39. Mongolia
  40. Montenegro
  41. Morocco
  42. Myanmar
  43. Nicaragua
  44. Oman
  45. Pakistan
  46. Panama
  47. Papua New Guinea
  48. Paraguay
  49. Peru
  50. Philippines
  51. Puerto Rico
  52. Qatar
  53. Russia
  54. Samoa
  55. Saudi Arabia
  56. Serbia
  57. Singapore
  58. South Korea
  59. South Sudan
  60. Sri Lanka
  61. Suriname
  62. Swaziland
  63. Taiwan
  64. Tanzania
  65. Thailand
  66. Tonga
  67. US Virgin Islands
  68. Ukraine
  69. United Arab Emirates
  70. Uruguay
  71. Uzbekistan
  72. Vanuatu
  73. Vietnam

Does Vodafone have a fair usage policy when roaming?

For plans with a data allowance greater than 25GB (including unlimited plans), you can only use 25GB data per month when roaming. If you go over this limit but stay within your regular data allowance, you'll be charged £3.13 per GB. If you also go over your regular allowance, you'll be charged the standard out of tariff UK rate for data on top of the £3.13 per GB charge.

Vodafone will send you a warning text when you reach 80% of the roaming limit.

If you're roaming with a Zone pass or you're eligible for free roaming, and go over your regular data allowance but stay below the 25GB fair usage limit, you'll be charged at the standard out of tariff UK rate for data. If you also go over the 25GB fair usage limit, you'll be charged an additional £3.13 per GB on top of the standard out of tariff UK rate for data.

In addition, if you're roaming for 62 days or more during a 4 month period, and your roaming usage exceeds your average UK usage, you may have to pay additional roaming charges. In such a case, Vodafone will send you a 2 weeks notice, followed by an additional £3.13 per 1GB, 3.3p per minute and 1p per text, as long as your roaming usage continues to be high.

Can I get Vodafone 5G when roaming internationally?

Vodafone 5G roaming

You can get 5G speeds when roaming with Vodafone in Germany, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

Germany

  1. Aachen
  2. Achim
  3. Aldenhoven
  4. Altenberge
  5. Alzey
  6. Ammersbek
  7. Augsburg
  8. Bad Hersfeld
  9. Bad Münder am Deister
  10. Bad Oeynhausen
  11. Bad Wünnenberg
  12. Baunatal
  13. Bautzen
  14. Bergisch Gladbach
  15. Berlin
  16. Bernau bei Berlin
  17. Biederitz
  18. Bielefeld
  19. Birgland
  20. Birkenwerder
  21. Bitterfeld-Wolfen
  22. Blaustein
  23. Bochum
  24. Boizenburg/ Elbe
  25. Bonn
  26. Bottrop
  27. Braunschweig
  28. Bremen
  29. Bremerhaven
  30. Brilon
  31. Bruchsal
  32. Buch
  33. Bückeburg
  34. Büdelsdorf
  35. Celle
  36. Chemnitz
  37. Cottbus
  38. Darmstadt
  39. Dortmund
  40. Dresden
  41. Duisburg
  42. Dülmen
  43. Düsseldorf
  44. Eicklingen
  45. Eisenach
  46. Erfurt
  47. Erlangen
  48. Eschborn
  49. Essen
  50. Frankfurt am Main
  51. Freiburg im Breisgau
  52. Fuldabrück
  53. Fuldatal
  54. Gdefr. Geb. (Lkr Roth)
  55. Gelsenkirchen
  56. Geltendorf
  57. Gera
  58. Gifhorn
  59. Greven
  60. Gronau (Westf.)
  61. Groß Godems
  62. Grünheide (Mark)
  63. Güstrow
  64. Halle (Saale)
  65. Hamburg
  66. Hamm
  67. Hannover
  68. Harbke
  69. Haren (Ems)
  70. Harsum
  71. Hattstedt
  72. Heidenau
  73. Herne
  74. Heroldstatt
  75. Hesel
  76. Heusweiler
  77. Hildesheim
  78. Hohenstein-Ernstthal
  79. Hoppegarten
  80. Hoyerswerda
  81. Ingolstadt
  82. Jena
  83. Kappeln
  84. Karlsruhe
  85. Kassel
  86. Kiel
  87. Koblenz
  88. Köln
  89. Königs Wusterhausen
  90. Krefeld
  91. Lage
  92. Langenhagen
  93. Lehrte
  94. Leipzig
  95. Leuna
  96. Leverkusen
  97. Linthe
  98. Lohmar
  99. Lübeck
  100. Lüdersdorf
  101. Ludwigsfelde
  102. Ludwigshafen am Rhein
  103. Lünen
  104. Magdeburg
  105. Mainz
  106. Mannheim
  107. Mellenthin
  108. Meppen
  109. Meschede
  110. Mindelheim
  111. Möhnesee
  112. Moritzburg
  113. Müncheberg
  114. München
  115. Münster
  116. Neukirchen/Erzgeb.
  117. Neuruppin
  118. Neuss
  119. Nienburg (Weser)
  120. Nürnberg
  121. Oberhausen
  122. Oelde
  123. Offenbach am Main
  124. Oldenburg (Oldenburg)
  125. Olsberg
  126. Osnabrück
  127. Paderborn
  128. Pellingen
  129. Petersberg
  130. Petershagen/Eggersdorf
  131. Pforzheim
  132. Potsdam
  133. Püttlingen
  134. Ratingen
  135. Recklinghausen
  136. Regensburg
  137. Rehfelde
  138. Reutlingen
  139. Rielasingen-Worblingen
  140. Rostock
  141. Rothenstein
  142. Saarbrücken
  143. Salzgitter
  144. Sandersdorf-Brehna
  145. Schkeuditz
  146. Schlettau
  147. Schmallenberg
  148. Schweich
  149. Schwentinental
  150. Seehausen a.Staffelsee
  151. Seelow
  152. Seelze
  153. Simmern/Hunsrück
  154. Soest
  155. Solingen
  156. Stadthagen
  157. Stollberg/Erzgeb.
  158. Stuhr
  159. Stuttgart
  160. Südheide
  161. Torgelow
  162. Trierweiler
  163. Ulm
  164. Unna
  165. Wanzleben-Börde
  166. Wedemark
  167. Weimar
  168. Weissach
  169. Werne
  170. Westhausen
  171. Wiesbaden
  172. Wilsdruff
  173. Wittenburg
  174. Wolfsburg
  175. Wuppertal
  176. Würselen
  177. Würzburg

Italy

  1. Assago
  2. Bollate
  3. Bologna
  4. Bresso
  5. Carugate
  6. Cassina de' Pecchi
  7. Cinisello Balsamo
  8. Cologno Monzese
  9. Cusano Milanino
  10. Garbagnate Milanese
  11. Lainate
  12. Legnano
  13. Melegnano
  14. Milan
  15. Naples
  16. Novate Milanese
  17. Opera
  18. Parabiago
  19. Pessano con Bornago
  20. Pioltello
  21. Rho
  22. Rome
  23. Rozzano
  24. San Donato Milanese
  25. San Giorgio su Legnano
  26. San Giuliano Milanese
  27. Sedriano
  28. Segrate
  29. Senago
  30. Sesto San Giovanni
  31. Solaro
  32. Trezzano sul Naviglio
  33. Turin

Spain

  1. Alicante
  2. Badajoz
  3. Barcelona
  4. Benidorm
  5. Bilbao
  6. Gijón
  7. La Coruña
  8. Logroño
  9. Madrid
  10. Malaga
  11. Murcia
  12. Palma de Mallorca
  13. Pamplona
  14. San Sebastián
  15. Santander
  16. Seville
  17. Valencia
  18. Valladolid
  19. Vigo
  20. Vitoria
  21. Zaragoza

Ireland

  1. Cork
  2. Drogheda
  3. Dublin
  4. Dundalk
  5. Galway
  6. Limerick
  7. Swords
  8. Waterford

FAQs

Can I roam for free in the EU with Vodafone?

If you joined Vodafone before 11 August 2021, and you haven’t upgraded or renewed since, you can continue to enjoy free EU roaming.

If you’re on a 3 Xtra benefits plan, you can continue to roam for free within 51 EU destinations, regardless of when you joined Vodafone.

If you joined or upgraded on or after 11 August 2021, and you’re not on a 3 Xtra benefits plan, you will have to pay for £2.25 per day to use your allowance within the EU:

  • £2.25 per day (automatically charged)
  • £10 for 8 days (text 8DAYEUROPE to 40506)
  • £15 for 15 days (text 15DAYEUROPE to 40506)

How can I setup my phone to roam with Vodafone?

You must enable roaming in your phone's settings in order to use your Vodafone 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 Vodafone?

Yes, Vodafone will charge an out of tariff rate. Prices vary depending on the country you are in. The maximum Vodafone can automatically charge you is £45 per month.

Can I tether to another device when roaming with Vodafone?

Yes, you can tether when roaming abroad with Vodafone. Any data limits that normally apply when roaming will also apply when tethering and roaming.