Roaming After Brexit: Will EU roaming charges return after Brexit?

Roaming after Brexit: What were you doing on June 15, 2017? That’s the day EU roaming charges were scrapped, and since then we’ve been able to use our phones across Europe without being hit with extortionate roaming fees. Now that the UK is leaving the EU though, roaming charges could return. Well, it largely depends on which mobile network you’re on − and some operators have been clearer than others.

Three: Roaming after Brexit

“We’re committed to eradicating excessive roaming charges and will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations, allowing our customers to continue using their usual allowances when they travel within the EU,” a Three spokesperson told Trusted Reviews.

“The short answer is that roaming won’t be affected if you’re a Three customer,” Three’s website explains, adding: “If the law changes, we’ll give you free EU roaming just the same.”

Vodafone: Roaming after Brexit

“We have no plans to reintroduce roaming charges,” a Vodafone spokesperson told Trusted Reviews.

EE: Roaming after Brexit

“Our customers enjoy inclusive roaming in Europe, and we don’t have any plans to change this based on the Brexit outcome,” a spokesperson for EE told Trusted Reviews.

However, the mobile operator has admitted that there is a chance that roaming fees could make a return in the future.

“While nothing will change in the short term, a no-deal Brexit will mean EE loses the protections and regulations that guarantee the low rates European operators charge us when you go abroad,” its website explains.

“In the event of a no-deal Brexit, EE will need to do individual deals with each of the 27 EU countries. This includes 144 operators, in total, but we will continue to do everything we can to provide inclusive roaming for our customers in the long term.”

It adds: “The good news is … we’ve been having positive conversations with our European partners for over a year to ensure we can continue to provide inclusive roaming. We’ll continue those discussions and negotiations.”

BT Mobile: Roaming after Brexit

“Our customers enjoy inclusive roaming in Europe and we have no plans to change this based on Brexit,” a spokesperson for BT Mobile told Trusted Reviews.

O2: Roaming after Brexit

“We currently have no plans to change our roaming services across Europe. We will be working closely with the UK government to try to maintain the current EU ‘Roam like at home’ arrangements once the UK leaves the EU,” a spokesperson for O2 told Trusted Reviews.

Virgin Mobile: Roaming after Brexit

“We currently have no plans to change our Roam Like Home offering post Brexit,” a Virgin Mobile spokesperson told Trusted Reviews.

“Virgin Mobile customers can continue to enjoy their inclusive data, minutes and texts while abroad in 43 European destinations. Should we need to make any changes to our roaming services, we’ll let our customers know in advance.”

Tesco Mobile: Roaming after Brexit

“We currently have no plans to change our roaming services across Europe, but are continuing to monitor the situation,” a spokesperson for Tesco Mobile told Trusted Reviews.

Sky Mobile: Roaming after Brexit

“Sky Mobile has no plans or intention to increase prices for customers at this time,” Sky Mobile said last year, and Trusted Reviews has been told that Sky Mobile’s stance has not changed.

Even if your mobile network is planning to bring back EU roaming fees after Brexit, nothing will change when the clock strikes 11pm on January 31. If EU roaming charges do return, they’ll do so after December 31, 2020, which is when the Brexit transition period is due to end.

Any mobile operators that haven’t committed to not bringing back roaming fees have until then to strike deals with European operators to ensure that roaming fees don’t return.

The government has also taken a couple of steps to provide some level of protection to consumers, in the event of EU roaming fees returning.

Once you’ve racked up roaming fees amounting £45, you’ll have to opt in to continue roaming. You’ll also receive an alert when you used 80% of your data allowance, and another alert once you’ve used up all of your allowance.

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Deputy News and Features Editor Aatif made his long-rumoured return to Trusted Reviews in 2018, having spent a wonderful 10 months writing all sorts for the site in 2015. During his self-imposed exile, he visited many faraway lands …