travel data plan bt

BT Mobile roaming explained for international & EU countries

You can roam in most countries with BT Mobile .

BT Roam Like Home is available for free with all BT Mobile plans, which allows you to use your regular allowance in 47 European destinations at no additional cost.

For countries outside the EU, you can buy a Travel Data Pass, which gives you 500MB data for 24 hours in selected countries.

If you have not purchased a Travel Data Pass, or for countries not included with the Travel Data Pass, you can roam and use BT, however you won’t be able to use your regular allowance. Instead, you will be charged at an out of plan rate, which can be expensive.

What's the best BT Mobile SIM for roaming?

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All BT Mobile SIMs include free EU roaming with Roam Like Home.

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

BT Mobile will continue free EU roaming after Brexit with BT Roam Like Home.

BT Roam Like Home is free with all BT Mobile plans. It will allow you to use your regular allowance in 47 European destinations at no additional cost.

If you go over your allowance, you will automatically be charged between 9.47p and 11.42p per MB (depending on your plan), unless you purchase a data add-on.

Regardless of your plan or add-ons purchased, there is a 50GB data per month fair usage policy. If you go over this limit, your service may be limited.

The following 47 EU countries are included with BT Roam Like Home, and belong to Zone 1a and Zone 1b:

• Canary Islands
• Czech Republic
• French Guiana
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Portugal (including Azores and Madeira)
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Martin
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

If you go over your allowance, you may be charged for additional usage. The amount you are charged depends on the country you are in.

If you’re within an EU destination covered by BT Roam Like Home, you will be charged at between 9.47p and 11.42p per MB over your regular allowance.

Alternatively, you can avoid the out of plan rates by purchasing a data add-on.

A data add-on lasts for one month and will be applied to your regular plan, meaning you can use it within the UK and in Roam Like Home European countries.

For any country outside the EU or not covered by Roam Like Home, you will not be able to use your plan’s allowance. Instead, you will be charged at the BT out of plan rate .

Alternatively, you can purchase a BT Mobile Travel Data Pass add-on for data in selected countries.

By purchasing a BT Mobile Travel Data Pass, you will get a set amount of data to use in 12 selected countries outside the UK and the EU.

For £6, you will get 500MB data for 24 hours.

Any unused data after 24 hours will be lost. You must repurchase the add-on after 24 hours if you wish to continue using the Travel Data Pass.

You can purchase a Travel Data Pass from your BT account .

To track your Travel Data Pass usage, you can login to your BT account or download the My BT app .

The BT Mobile Travel Data Pass add-on works within the following 12 countries:

• New Zealand
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• United States

Yes, regardless of the plan you have, the maximum amount of data you can use when roaming in a given month is 50GB, as defined in the fair usage policy.

This fair usage policy even applies to plans that have a data allowance greater than 50GB.

BT Mobile state that if you break the fair usage policy, you may have to pay a surcharge.

Countries outside the UK are grouped via zones.

If you go over your allowance in an European Roam Like Home country, or you use BT Mobile in another international country not covered by Roam Like Home, you will be charged at an out of plan rate.

It is important to plan ahead and track your data usage, as the out of plan rates can be very expensive.

The maximum amount BT will automatically charge for out of plan rates when roaming internationally is £45 per month. However, it is possible to remove this cap by contacting BT.

The following tables show the BT Zones and out of plan charges for their respective zones.

No, the maximum speeds you can receive when roaming with BT Mobile is 4G. 5G speeds may be available in the future.

There are 29 countries where BT Mobile will not work:

• Ascension Island
• Christmas Islands
• Cocos Islands
• Diego Garcia
• French Polynesia
• Marshall Islands
• New Caledonia
• Norfolk Island
• North Korea
• Northern Marianas
• Rodriguez Island
• Ross Island
• Western Samoa
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Solomon Islands

Yes, all BT Mobile customers can roam for free within the EU and selected European countries, with BT Roam Like Home.

Before roaming with BT Mobile you must enable roaming in your BT Mobile account. You can do this by logging into your BT account and checking the settings under My Mobile .

Then, you must enable roaming on your phone.

For Android users:

• Go to Settings
• Go to Connections -> Mobile networks -> Roaming
• Enable Data roaming

For iPhone users:

• Go to Mobile data -> Mobile Data Options
• Enable Data Roaming

Yes, you will be charged at an out of plan rate, unless you purchase a data add-on for European countries or Travel Data Pass for selected international countries.

Yes, you can tether to other devices when roaming with BT Mobile . The same data limits that apply internationally will also apply when tethering internationally.

Roam like you’re at home with BT mobile roaming

One of the main benefits of any BT mobile SIM only deals is being able to travel to amazing destinations in Europe and have the feeling of roaming like you're at home . Clients can stay connected with family and friends while overseas.

Tired of your operator?

Discover the best deals!

• · Pay nothing extra with BT mobile roaming
• · Roam to 47 European destinations
• · Does BT Mobile have International Roaming Destinations
• · BT Mobile Roaming Add On
• · Conclusion
• · ¿Do you find BT Mobile Roaming to expensive? Try out Holafly

Pay nothing extra with BT mobile roaming

BT Roaming does not cost you anything extra besides what your current BT SIM only plan is. For example, whatever the allowance on your SIM only plan is such as data, minutes and texts is what you'll use up when travelling to all the BT Roaming destinations.

Just imagine travelling around Europe and posting on your social media on a daily basis and not being charged extra on your current plan. Clients should take full advantage of this opportunity and join BT Mobile for their amazing deals, which you can also use when travelling abroad .

Roam to 47 European destinations

The BT Mobile Roaming destinations are divided into two zones, Zone 1A and Zone 1B ; each zone has their own list of countries available with BT Mobile roaming.

Now you can travel to the beaches in Spain or visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris and be able to keep your family and friends updated on your holiday on social media with BT Mobile roaming.

Does BT Mobile have International Roaming Destinations

Unfortunately, if you decide to travel to countries outside the EU that don't have BT Roaming, you'll have to pay for extra charges.

Nevertheless, BT Mobile has set up a Travel Data Pass, which costs £6 a day and offers 500MB every 24 hours. This add-on is available for the following countries outside the EU:

• New Zealand
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

BT Mobile Roaming Add On

It's normal to get excited and use up all of your data, minutes and texts while you are abroad; therefore, it's important to know what BT roaming add-ons can offer to keep you active online.

• Calls to all UK mobile numbers or a fixed-line number : Zone 1a is 35p/ min , Zone 1b is 29.1p/min
• Texts to all UK mobile numbers or a UK fixed-line number : Zone 1a is 12p/message , Zone 1b is 10p/message
• Data – Zone 1a is 10p/MB, Zone 1b is 8.3p/MB

Customers should always switch their roaming off when they are not using it to save their data. This will allow clients to save money and prevent them from purchasing a BT roaming add-on.

BT roaming is a great advantage for SIM only customers that have plans to travel in the future. Clients should double check the roaming destinations before deciding to take a vacation to avoid going to a country that does not offer BT roaming.

¿Do you find BT Mobile Roaming to expensive? Try out Holafly

BT Mobile roaming can sometimes be quite expensive , especially when we travel outside of Europe for more than a few days. If you are planning an overseas trip or you just do not want to worry about your next bill while you are on holidays, Holafly is an option worth trying.

With an Holafly international eSIM card you will get high-speed internet connection to use at the destination of your choice and, unlike roaming add-ons, you will have a fixed price data plan so you know what you are going to pay at the end of the month, no surprises attached.

To buy an Holafly SIM card you just need to choose the mobile plan that best fits your needs . The company offers different plans according to the country or countries that you want visit, whether it is France, Japan or Saudi Arabia , the options are almost endless. Then, after the purchase, you will automatically receive your eSIM right at your email inbox with the activation code.

Rememeber that, in order to use an Holafly eSIM card you need an eSIM compatible smartphone , almost all recent smartphones are, like iPhones or Samsung Galaxy models . However, make sure you are going to be able to connect your eSIM before making your purchase.

Have a worry-free trip with Holafly

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BT Mobile international roaming charges FAQ

BT Mobile has a great roaming scheme that allows all of its existing customers to get inclusive calls, texts and data to use while travelling abroad. Known as the ‘Roam Like Home’ scheme, you can use your UK allowances of calls, texts and data in 47 abroad locations at no extra cost.

BT Mobile packages with roaming

BT Mobile no longer takes on new customers, with parent company BT instead focusing its efforts on its main mobile brand, EE.

Therefore, if you aren’t already a BT Mobile customer, you unfortunately won’t be able to sign up for a new BT Mobile deal and take advantage of its included roaming package.

BT Mobile EU roaming charges

BT Mobile has ‘Roam Like Home’ included in all of its existing call, data and text plans, giving customers to use their mobiles just like they do at home when travelling in the EU.

Roam Like Home includes the following EU locations:

BT Mobile international roaming locations

If you’re travelling outside of the EU, BT Mobile customers can still use their phones abroad but will need to purchase a BT Mobile Travel Data Pass to access their data.

This costs £6 for 500MB of data that must be used within 24 hours and will not be rolled over to the next day. 

This daily £6 charge will only work in the following countries:

New Zealand

South Africa

United Arab Emirates

United States

Which countries are not covered by BT Mobile roaming?

There are currently 39 countries which are not covered by BT Mobile roaming, and therefore, you will not be able to use data roaming, but you can still make calls.

These countries are:

Burkina Faso

Central African Republic

Cook Islands

Equatorial Guinea

Falkland Islands

Guinea Bissau

Kyrgyzstan Republic

Papua New Guinea

Sierra Leone

St Pierre and Miquelon

Turkmenistan

BT Mobile roaming cap

BT Mobile applies a fair use limit of 15GB in a single billing cycle. If you exceed this, a surcharge may be applied.

Additional BT Mobile roaming charges

If you use more data than is included in your monthly allowance or exceed the 15GB fair usage cap, you will be charged additional roaming fees while travelling. If you’re in an EU destination included in ‘Roam Like Home’, you’ll be charged 11.42p and 9.47p per MB over your regular allowance.

If you only use a small amount of data at home but think you’ll need some extra while travelling, you can purchase data add-ons that last for one month and are applied to your regular monthly plan.

How to activate data roaming on BT Mobile

First, you’ll need to make sure that data roaming is enabled on your mobile phone. You can find this in your settings app in Mobile services or Mobile data settings.

If you’ve got roaming switched on, you’ll also need to activate data roaming in your BT Mobile account by logging into My BT and going to your personal settings.

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Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know

Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone

• T-Mobile phone plans
• Verizon phone plans
• AT&T phone plans
• Google Fi plans
• Other options
• Device compatibility and eSims
• 5G coverage when traveling

Before your summer travels overseas, you should look into whether you've got one of the best international phone plans for staying connected during your upcoming adventures. In the U.S., all the major wireless carriers offer some kind of travel benefit with their best cell phone plans , but they also have supplementary packages for travelers to augment the data plan you already have in place. The trick is to make sure those options keep you covered around the globe.

1. T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers 2. Verizon : TravelPass options 3. AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America 4. Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion 5. Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

The best international phone plans will let you make calls and browse the web when you're in another country (though there might be a fee on top of your normal monthly rate, depending on which carrier you use). Different plans might cover different countries, and how long you plan on traveling could also impact your choice of plans. Your method of travel — be it by plane or cruise ship — also affects which plan is best for you.

All of these are things for globetrotters to consider when shopping for wireless coverage. You're going to want one of the best unlimited data plans since they tend to offer the most travel-related perks. If you haven't travelled internationally in a while, it's smart to double-check what options are out there since the best phone carriers have overhauled their plans and packages available to travelers.

Here’s a look at the travel policies and perks for the three top U.S carriers along with information on Google Fi, which offers a plan that definitely appeals to frequent travelers.

T-Mobile international phone plans

T-Mobile offers an expanded array of plans, though most of its unlimited data plan options have some benefits for overseas travel. Subscribe to Magenta, Magenta Max, Go5G, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next, and you enjoy unlimited data and texting in more than 215 countries around the world. If you want to place or receive calls, you’ll be subject to the local rate depending on where you want to go. You don’t need to notify T-Mobile of your travel for your overseas benefits to kick in.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus Plan | Unlimited Data | $90/month T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan has the edge over Magenta Max for world travelers, even if the latter plan is $5 cheaper for a single line. That's because Go5G Plus customers get more data when traveling in Mexico and Canada (15GB vs. 10GB for Magenta Max) and 10GB more hotspot data. Otherwise, the two plans are identical: You can use your data in 215-plus countries at no extra cost. The first 5GB of data you use use will be high-speed data (with 5G speeds supported where available). The cheaper Go5G and Magenta plans ($75/month and $70/month, respectively) also feature travel benefits, including high-speed data in 11 European countries. Otherwise, data speeds are capped at 256 kbps.

Travel perks in current plans: As part of T-Mobile's Beyond Connected program, data speeds now reach 256 kbps when you're overseas. If you subscribe to either the standard Magenta or Go5G plans and you're in one of 11 European countries, you can enjoy 5GB of high-speed data every month, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telecom.

The perk gets better when you upgrade to either Magenta Max or Go5G Plus, both of which cost $15 more a month than their respective base plans. In that case, you can benefit from 5GB of high-speed data in 215 countries.

Go5G Next, T-Mobile's most expensive plan at $100/month for a single line, has the same travel benefits as Go5G Plus, but adds the ability to upgrade your phone every year. If that's not important to you, stick with Go5G Plus and pay $10 less each month on your wireless bill.

T-Mobile customers can take advantage of free Wi-Fi on American, Delta, Alaska Airlines and United flights. Magenta Max and Go5G Plus subscribers get full texting and Wi-Fi with streaming during flights, where wireless is available. If you go with the standard Magenta or Go5G option, you're covered on four flights per year with full streaming, plus unlimited texting; after those four flights, you can stream one hour of video. Delta SkyMiles members also get free Wi-Fi on domestic U.S. flights courtesy of T-Mobile — even if they get their wireless service from another carrier.

In Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile allows you to use up to 5GB of data whether you've got Magenta or Magenta Max; speeds are slowed to 2G after that. Go5G customers get 10GB of data in those two countries, while Go5G Plus members enjoy 15GB.

T-Mobile includes travel benefits in two of its remaining senior plans, with identical travel perks between the $100 Go5G Plus 55 option and the $120 Go5G Next 55 plan. (Note that those monthly prices cover two lines of data; one line of either Plus or Next cost $70 and $80, respectively.) Travel perks include high-speed data and text when you travel abroad, plus unlimited in-flight connectivity. When you travel to Canada or Mexico, you get 15GB of high-speed data. Both plans also include a year's membership to AAA for road travel in the U.S.

If you opt for T-Mobile's lower cost Essentials unlimited plan, you'll get 2G roaming in Canada and Mexico, but have to pay for data elsewhere.

Trip-specific passes: T-Mobile offers International Pass options for travelers who want high-speed data during lengthier stays overseas. A 5GB International Pass gives you that much high-speed data along with unlimited calling for 10 days. It costs $35. T-Mobile's $50 International Pass increases high-speed data to 15GB and extends the length of the pass to 30 days. The carrier also offers a $5 daily pass that gives you 512MB of high-speed data, and unlimited calling between the 215 or so Simple Global destinations. 

Cruise rates: Pricing on cruises will vary according to which cruise you’re taking. You can check T-Mobile’s site to see what your pricing will be.

Verizon international phone plans

Verizon phones generally work all over the world, especially if you've got a phone built in the last few years. But where you travel significantly influences how much you’ll have to pay. As for which is the best Verizon phone plan for travelers, that all depends on how frequently you go overseas. There's a clear choice for regular globetrotters, but Verizon's less expensive offerings allow you to tack on travel benefits, too.

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited Data | $90/month Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most benefits for world travelers. Verizon promises "full international connectivity," meaning you'll be able to use talk and text for free when overseas; you also get 10GB of high-speed data every month that you can use in other countries. Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, so unless you take frequent trips, you may be better served by Unlimited Plus ($80/month for one line) or Unlimited Welcome ($65/month). Those two plans can add on a $10/month Travel Pass options that provides three days of talk, text and data when you're overseas. You can drop the Travel Pass add-on from your plan in months were you don't need it. Verizon lets family plans mix and match lines so one person can get Unlimited Ultimate, while the others subscribe to the cheaper options.

Travel perks in current plans: Of Verizon's three unlimited plans, the best for frequent travelers is the Unlimited Ultimate option, which lets you use talk and text in other countries just like you would in the U.S. You also get 10GB of high-speed data to use overseas every month.

Unfortunately, Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, costing $90 a month for one line. (And that's after a discount for enrolling autopay.) There are cheaper options — Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus — that include travel perks. Both plans let you text internationally to 200-plus countries. You can also use LTE data when traveling in Mexico and Canada. You're limited to 0.5GB of data consumption per day in those two countries before your speeds are slowed to 2G, and you can't use more than half of your talk, text and data in those countries over a 60-day period.

In addition to the base Welcome Unlimited and Unlimited Plus packages, you can opt for $10 monthly add-ons for your Verizon plan — some covering streaming services, another providing hotspot data and so on. The relevant package is Verizon's $10/month 3 TravelPass Days add-on, which saves you $20 a month on travel benefits as you pick up three passes during monthly billing cycles. You can accrue up to 36 passes for using talk, text and data when traveling overseas.

Unlimited Welcome starts at $65/month for one line, while Unlimited Plus is $80. If you have a family plan, you can mix and match so that different lines of data subscribe to different plans — helpful if there's one person in the family who travels a lot and would benefit from the Unlimited Ultimate perks.

Trip-specific passes: Let's talk a little bit more about the TravelPass . It's Verizon's daily option for international coverage, and it’ll cost you $5 per day per device for each day you’re out of the country if you travel to Mexico or Canada and don't have an unlimited plan. In 185 other countries — including China, France and Germany — Verizon charges $10 per device per day. TravelPass gets you 2GB of 5G data, and unlimited data at 3G speeds after that; the passes also come with unlimited talk and text.

If you know you’ll be traveling for a bit more time, consider Verizon’s monthly option, which the carrier recommends for trips lasting at least 10 days. International Monthly Plans at Verizon cost $100/month, but in exchange, you get 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and 20GB of high-speed data. (Use that, and you get unlimited data at 3G speeds.)

Verizon also offers pay-as-you-go pricing for international travel. You’ll pay 99 cents per minute in Canada and Mexico, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Rates go up to $1.79 in 130-plus countries and $2.99 in 80 other places. Each text message you send will cost you 50 cents, and each received text will set you back 5 cents. Your data will be charged at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte no matter where you are.

Cruise rates: Pay-as-you go rates on cruise ships cost $1.99 for each minute of talk and 50 cents for every sent text message. You’ll pay 5 cents per message received. Verizon has a data plan for cruise passengers, too, with $30/day giving you 500MB of data plus unlimited texting and 50 minutes of talk time. For in-flight connectivity, you can opt for the same pay-as-you-go rates for cruise trips or you can pay $20 per day for unlimited data.

AT&T international phone plans

AT&T also comes with varied international pricing depending on where you want to go. Canada and Mexico travel is covered in many top AT&T plans, and if you pay up for the Unlimited Premium option, you can use your plan in many Central and South American countries. Traveling elsewhere? Then you had best look into AT&T's travel passes.

AT&T Unlimited Premium| Unlimited Data | $85.99/month It's AT&T's most expensive unlimited plan, but Unlimited Premium has the best perk for travelers — you can use your talk, text and data at no extra cost in 20 Latin American countries.  As with other AT&T unlimited options, you also enjoy talk, text and data coverage when traveling in Canada and Mexico.

Travel perks in current plans: If you’re heading to Mexico or Canada, AT&T already covers all of your voice, data and text with its four different unlimited plans — Starter, Extra, Premium and the entry-level Value Plus option. AT&T offers a lone tiered data plan with 4GB of data that you can use in Canada and Mexico (though roaming may be at 2G speeds). Both unlimited and tiered data plans feature unlimited texting to 120-plus countries.

The Unlimited Premium plan is the best option for travelers headed to the Americas, as you'll be able to enjoy unlimited text, talk and data at no additional cost in 20 Central and South American countries. 

If you do a lot of international calling from home, AT&T offers unlimited calling to 85-plus countries from the U.S. for $15 per month for each line. Calls to another 140-plus countries get discounted rates under this plan.

Trip-specific passes: For anyone off to Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America or the Asia Pacific region on a short jaunt, AT&T recommends its $10-a-day International Day Pass, which comes with unlimited talk and text and data governed by your plan. (Note that each device you take overseas will need its own Day Pass.) That service is available in 210-plus countries, and you can add extra phones for just $5 a day.

You'll never have to pay for more than 10 days of day passes on any one bill, even if your trip lasts longer. International Day Passes also kick in automatically when you use your phone abroad — you get a text message letting you know you're covered.

Cruise rates: On cruises , AT&T offers a $60/month Cruise Basic plan that covers 100 minutes of talk and unlimited texting while also offering 100MB of data. Need more of everything? Then try the Cruise Plus plan ($100/month), which includes 1GB of data on top of unlimited talk and text. 

Google Fi international phone plans

If you do a lot of international traveling, don't ignore Google Fi Wireless , the wireless service set up by Google that uses cellular towers of T-Mobile and US Cellular to provide coverage. International travel is built into two of Google Fi's plans — the Unlimited Plus and Flexible options.

Google Unlimited Plus| Unlimited Data | $65/month The Unlimited Plus plan is the way to go with Google Fi, as you can use your data at no extra cost when traveling overseas. Google Fi customers who pay by the gigabyte of data used are also eligible for this perk.

Travel perks in current plans: You've got two options with Google Fi — tiered data through the company's Flexible plan or a pair of unlimited data options. Flexible coverage costs $20 a month for talk and text plus $10 for each GB of data you use. (Data usage is rounded off to the nearest megabyte so you only pay for the data you consume.) Google stops charging you after you use 6GB a month, meaning you'll never pay more than $80. 

If you find unlimited data plans more appealing, Google has you covered there, too — it also offers a $65 Unlimited Plus option that rolls in unlimited talk, text and data. Unlimited Plus subscribers now get a year of YouTube Premium as a perk. 

The real benefit to either Unlimited Plus or Flexible is that those plans cover you when you're traveling in 200-plus countries. When you're overseas, Google Fi charges the same rate for data usage, whether you're on an unlimited data plan or paying by the gigabyte. Voice calls cost 20 cents (though calls placed over Wi-Fi are free) and you get unlimited SMS messaging. 

Alas, Google's $50/month Simply Unlimited plan is not eligible for the free data perk when traveling. That said, all three of Google Fi's plans let you use talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada.

Google Fi is even more appealing now that Google has opened up service to all phones, including iPhones. Note that phones optimized for Google Fi — Google's Pixel phones (currently the Pixel 8 , Pixel 8 Pro , Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a )  along with a selection of Samsung phones and Motorola budget devices — can switch seamlessly between cellular networks and Google's Wi-Fi hotspots, while other phones cannot.

Trip-specific passes: Unlike the other carriers here, Google Fi doesn't offer travel passes for extended trips. Your only option is to get coverage through the Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans.

Cruise rates: Google Fi is not available when you're at sea — only when you're on land in one of the 200-plus countries covered by the carrier.

Other international phone plan options

Discount carriers typically don't provide much in the way of benefits for travelers, but there are some exceptions. The most noteworthy alternative is Visible , which has expanded the travel perks for subscribers to its $45/month Visible Plus plan .

Visible is owned by Verizon and uses its parent company's network for coverage. The Visible Plus plan features unlimited data, including access to Verizon's high-speed 5G network. Travelers will be particularly interested in the unlimited talk, text and 2GB of daily data available through Visible Plus when traveling in Canada and Mexico. Visible Plus customers are also eligible for one free Global Pass day per month, in which they can use talk, text and data at no charge in 140 countries. Globla Passes normally cost $10.

Best international phone plan: Device compatibility and eSims

Traveling overseas used to mean checking to see if your phone would be compatible once you set foot in another country. But those days are drawing to a close now that 3G networks are shutting down, eliminating much of the distinction between phones that work on either GSM and CDMA. If you've got a recent smartphone that connects to LTE, chances are strong it's going to work just fine in other countries. (You still might want to confirm that your phone works on the LTE bands available in the country you're heading to prior to your trip, just to avoid any unpleasant surprises.)

Many phones now support electronic SIM cards or eSIM technology, where you no longer need to swap in a local SIM card to make your smartphone work with an overseas network. (Since the iPhone 14 , Apple devices sold in the U.S. only feature eSIM support — that includes the newer iPhone 15 models.) One of our editors took an international trip using an eSIM for her phone and found it easy to setup and use with a local network — in fact, she plans to use the eSIM approach on all future travel. 

That said, not every country supports eSIM. And depending on your phone carrier in the U.S., you might already have options that cover your phone use in other countries.

International phone plans: What about 5G?

As noted above, many of the plans that offer international travel either have you connect at whatever speed is available locally or at a reduced speed in cases where you're drawing from your own data plan. But what if you've got a 5G phone that can connect to faster networks overseas?

For the most part, we'd expect your phone to operate as before, either at whatever speed the local network offers or a capped speed if that's part of your carrier's travel plans. However, in a few instances, U.S. phone carriers have started making deals with overseas wireless providers that allow their customers to access 5G speeds when roaming. You should check with your carrier for information about the country you're going to travel in.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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Need support with EE Business Mobile?

How do i use roaming when i'm travelling abroad.

If you're travelling abroad from the UK and want to use your mobile, it's best to check you can first as we may need to add or remove some restrictions before you travel. These can be managed from your  BT Mobile Manager  account or you can speak to our team using the contact details below.

Do I need a roaming bundle for the EU?

All new, upgrading and existing customers can use their allowance in the EU. Roam Like Home lets you use your mobile in 48 destinations without paying any extra roaming charges.

In our Roam Like Home zones you can use your mobile plan allowance to use data, make calls and send texts back to the UK and to the 48 destinations as if you're at home. Receiving calls and texts is also free if you're roaming in these zones. EU Countries covered by Roam Like at Home are:

What happens if I use my full allowance in the EU?

It's just like when you're at home really. If you've used up your data allowance and Extras (if you have any), we'll charge you £5 for a 500MB bundle and we'll do this a maximum of 10 times. If you need more data than that you'll need to get in touch with us.

What data speeds can I get when roaming?

Data speeds are the same in the EU as they are in UK subject. Like the UK, 4G coverage within the country and the speed of the local network can vary which can have an impact.

Can I call the EU from the UK using Roam Like Home?

No, you can't. You'd be charged for calling abroad unless you have an international calling add-on. If you're roaming in the EU then you can make calls back to the UK, within the country you're in and to any other country within the EU. Any calls made to premium rate numbers are still charged.

What do calls cost if I'm travelling outside the EU?

We offer a range of voice, text and if you're travelling abroad further than the EU. Have a look at the options below. To apply one on these extras to your account, contact us before you travel.

If you travel without a voice, text or data mobile extra then the cost of roaming outside the EU will vary depending on the country you are travelling to and you will be charged for calls, texts and data at a specific roaming rate.

Business Zone Data Pass: 500MB of data each day for £5 per day.

This is a daily data add-on that's applied and used when you're in qualifying Business Zone country. It's data only so it doesn't include any minutes or texts.

Business Zone Extra: 250 Minutes, 250 Texts and 250MB of data per month for £10.

You can use this monthly add-on to call and send texts to the UK, Europe Zone and within the Business Zone country. You can't use this bundle to call between countries.

World Zone Extra: 100 Minutes, 100 Texts and 250MB of data each day for £7.50 per day.

This is a daily bundle that activates when used in a qualifying World Zone country. You can use this bundle to call and send texts to the UK, Europe Zone and to World Zone countries.

Can I use the 3G network in the USA?

No, you'll no longer be able to connect to 3G in the United States. As part of their upgrades in the USA, the major network operators have switched off 3G.

For people with 4G or 5G devices, you should be able to roam in the USA on your 4G or 5G network as normal.

Even better, we've made  4G Calling  available to our roaming customers in the United States. If your 4G or 5G device has the latest updates and can use VoLTE in the UK, you can make and take calls over 4G/LTE in the USA.

But if you're on a 3G device, you'll need to do something different. Because you'll no longer be able to use 3G, you can manually connect to T-Mobile in the USA, by using your device's settings menu. You can then use the 2G network – but you may notice that call quality and network speeds are not as good as usual.

But as 3G's no longer available in the USA, now may be the perfect time to choose a new device – and get more benefits in the UK too.  View mobile deals

How do I make a call from abroad?

To make a call whilst abroad press  +  followed by the international dialling code of the country you're calling, then the area code without the 0, followed by the phone number - for example a call to France would be +33111223344.

Even if you're calling a number within the country you're visiting, you still need to enter the international dialling code.

What does it cost to use voicemail when I'm outside of the UK?

If you're in Europe, there's no charge if someone leaves you a voicemail and you'll only pay the per-minute roaming rate if you listen to your voicemails while you're abroad.

Outside Europe you'll be charged the per-minute roaming rate for making a call if you listen to your voicemail. You'll also be charged when someone leaves you a voicemail unless you divert all calls to voicemail or switch off your device when you're travelling.

You'll need a PIN to check your voicemail from abroad. Here's how to set one up:

• Call your voicemail before you leave
• Choose option  3 , then press  3  and follow the instructions about changing your PIN
• Enter a number between 4 and 10 digits - make it something you'll remember

You're all set. You can now check your messages by calling your voicemail from your BT Business Mobile phone or from any other phone by dialling +44 7953 222222. Just enter your PIN when asked.

Be in the know before you go

It's best to be prepared.  Read the latest UK government travel advice for your destination and sign-up for email alerts .

It's a good idea to save numbers in your phone book in the international format, e.g. +442071234567 otherwise you'll need to add the dialling code for the country you're calling before making the call.

Related Articles

Roam like at home, what can i do about inadvertent roaming, how do i enter + in my phone when storing an international number or making an international call, additional support.

Find contact options

What is a Travel Data Pass?

How does it work.

You can opt in to a Travel Data Pass either before you fly or while you’re away. Once it’s triggered, you’ll only be charged on the days you use data abroad. 

You don’t need to worry about removing the pass when you come home. It will just sit there waiting for your next trip.

To get a Travel Data Pass:

• text TRAVEL to 150

The daily charge will automatically trigger each day you use data on your phone when you're abroad in an included country.

Don’t forget your phone will use data if you have apps that automatically update in the background and this will trigger the daily charge. You can turn off automatic app updates in your phone's settings if you don't want this to happen.

For help with this, choose your phone on our  Phones & Devices  help pages and select  Basic Functions > Apps > Turning automatic update of apps on or off .

To opt out of the Travel Data Pass:

• text  STOP TRAVEL  to  150  at any time

When abroad, the daily charge and allowance applies to UK time. This means your allowance will reset at midnight, UK time, and you’ll be charged for any new usage from that time on.

Who can get it

Anyone on an EE pay monthly or SIM Only plan.

It's not currently available to customers on mobile broadband / WiFi plans.

Max plans bought on or after 10 May 2017 are not compatible with Travel Data Pass.

Where can I use Travel Data Pass?

Our Travel Data Pass covers all your favourite far-flung destinations. If you’re travelling in the EU, your data is included in your plan.

If you’re on a Max plan, you'll also be able to use your minutes, texts and data in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

If you’re going further afield, there are three different zones where charging varies:

• 500MB/day for £6.75 countries included: Canada and USA
• 500MB/day for £8.45 countries included: Australia, China, India, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and UAE
• 150MB/day for £8.45 countries included: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Georgia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela

Terms and conditions

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Travel Data Pass Charges when Mobile Data Not Used

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on ‎23-01-2023 9h08

on ‎23-01-2023 9h21

Re: Travel Data Pass Charges when Mobile Data Not Used

on ‎05-04-2023 16h26

What's a Data SIM Only plan?

Stay connected on the move with a Data SIM Only plan from BT Mobile. Our Data SIM Only plans are designed for use in your tablet or iPad, or in a mobile broadband device, so you can tether your other devices to it.

With our Data SIM Only plans you can get all the 4G data that you need on a 12 month contract.

Which devices can I use a Data SIM in?

You can use your Data SIM in either a cellular tablet or a mobile broadband device.

Cellular tablets are different to wi-fi tablets as they have a SIM slot. This means that by using a Data SIM you can stay connected to the internet on the move - perfect for the kids to stay connected on long car journeys.

You can also use Data SIMs in mobile broadband devices. They're ideal if you want to tether a wi-fi tablet or laptop to your mobile broadband device to use data on the move. Find out more about mobile broadband devices by heading to the www.bt.com/shop >

Can I use a Data SIM when travelling abroad (roaming)?

Yes, but you must make sure you use your SIM card in a device that can receive text messages. This is because we will send you important information about using our services when you travel abroad, which can differ based on where you are. We will also send you messages to tell you when you are getting close to, or reaching your data allowance limit, or if you are incurring extra costs abroad.

How do I get a Data SIM Only plan?

We are no longer offering Data SIM Only plans to new customers.

How long are the contracts?

All our Data SIM Only plans are on a 12 month contract.

What's the BT Mobile 30 day money back guarantee?

Find out about our 30 day money back guarantee here? >

Can I get a Data SIM Only plan on BT Mobile Family SIM?

No, Data SIM Only plans aren’t available on BT Mobile Family SIM.

Take a look at our BT Mobile phone plans >

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• How do I get a PIN or a PUK code for my mobile phone?
• Which BT Mobile SIM do I choose for my phone?
• How do I set up my phone manually to work with BT Mobile?
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