Government warns of end to free EU mobile roaming

On the eve of the UK’s exit from the European Union, the UK government has issued a warning that free mobile roaming for UK citizens across the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will cease from the end of the 11-month Brexit transition period, on January 1st 2021.

Currently, the “Roam Like At Home” legislation allows UK mobile users to make calls, send texts and use data while roaming around the EU at the same price as they pay to the UK operator, with some exceptions regarding heavy data usage.

According to the new government guidance, people should contact their providers to gain further clarification regarding roaming charges. Fees for roaming will be capped at £45 per billing period and users will have to manually opt-in in order to go beyond this.

Along with the rest of the EU, UK citizens have been able to access free roaming since roaming charges were abolished by the EU in 2017. However, it has long been speculated that Brexit would bring an end to this for UK citizens, with no mention of free roaming in the current Brexit deal.

Operators have sought to reassure customers that the end of the Brexit transition period won’t see the immediate reintroduction of the previously steep roaming charges. Both Vodafone and Three have previously said that they will commit to free roaming post-Brexit, while EE has said it has “no plans” to make any such changes.

The government statement on mobile roaming is as follows: “From 1 January 2021, the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will end. Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you might get from 1 January 2021.”

“A new law means that you’re protected from getting mobile data charges above £45 without you knowing. Once you reach £45, you need to opt in to spend more so that you can continue using the internet while you’re abroad. Your phone operator will tell how you can do this.”