Families planning holidays in May 2026 are being advised to review their mobile plans carefully, as roaming charges could add up to an extra £100 to travel costs. The increase is linked to post-Brexit changes in mobile pricing, with many providers reintroducing daily fees for using phones abroad.
While the charges may appear small on a daily basis, they can accumulate quickly over the course of a typical family holiday.
Before Brexit, many UK mobile users benefited from free EU roaming. That arrangement has largely changed, with several providers now applying daily fees or data charges when customers use their phones overseas.
Current estimates suggest users may pay between £2 and £2.60 per day, or around £6 per gigabyte of data, depending on their provider and plan.
For a family travelling with multiple devices over a two-week period, these charges can approach £100 or more.
Costs
The total cost depends on the number of users, devices, and data consumption.
Here is an example of how charges can build:
| Factor | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Daily roaming fee | £2 to £2.60 per device |
| Data usage | Around £6 per GB |
| Family (4 people, 14 days) | Up to £100+ |
Even moderate usage such as maps, messaging, and social media can contribute to higher data consumption, particularly when multiple devices are in use.
Providers
Major UK mobile networks have introduced different pricing structures for roaming:
| Provider | Daily Charge | Fair Usage | Extra Data Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE | £2.47 | 50GB | £3.60 per GB |
| Three | £2 | 12GB | £3 per GB |
| Vodafone | £2.42 to £7.39 | 25GB | £3.13 per GB |
| O2 | Free | 25GB | Standard rates apply |
Recent changes have increased costs for some users. For example, EE replaced its £25 monthly roaming pass with a daily charge, making longer trips more expensive.
Coverage
One of the main issues highlighted by experts is that not all European destinations are included in standard roaming packages.
Countries often excluded include:
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Albania
This can lead to unexpected charges, particularly for travellers visiting ski resorts or less typical EU destinations.
Research indicates that around 6 million UK travellers are unaware of these exclusions.
Risk
Unexpected charges remain a common issue. Around 22 percent of UK travellers report receiving additional roaming costs in the past two years, with some facing charges of £20 or more beyond their regular bill.
These costs often appear after returning home, making them harder to anticipate and manage.
The combination of daily fees, data limits, and excluded destinations increases the likelihood of higher-than-expected bills.
Advice
Experts recommend several steps to reduce or avoid roaming charges:
- Check with your provider before travelling
- Confirm which countries are included in your plan
- Review fair usage limits for data
- Set a spending cap to control costs
Taking these steps can provide clarity on potential charges and reduce the risk of unexpected expenses.
Control
There are also practical ways to manage mobile usage while abroad:
- Use WiFi where available instead of mobile data
- Enable airplane mode to prevent background data usage
- Download maps and content in advance
These measures can significantly reduce or eliminate roaming costs, particularly for travellers willing to limit mobile usage during their trip.
In some cases, travellers may choose to purchase local SIM cards or temporary data plans, depending on their destination and needs.
Roaming charges are now a routine part of travel costs for many UK families. While the fees are not new, their impact is becoming more noticeable as pricing structures evolve. Checking the details of your mobile plan before departure remains the most effective way to avoid unexpected charges.
FAQs
Why are roaming charges higher now?
Post-Brexit changes allow providers to charge fees.
How much can a family pay?
Up to £100 or more for two weeks.
Are all EU countries covered?
No, some like Switzerland may be excluded.
Which provider offers free roaming?
O2 offers limited free EU roaming.
