- An estimated 2 million[1] Brits are set to travel abroad this February half-term and are being warned to check their mobile phone provider’s roaming policy
- One in three (29%) Brits admit to having been stung by roaming charges before[2], paying on average £24 more than their usual bill[4]
- Telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, Ernest Doku, shares his top picks for SIM-only deals that include free EU roaming
Ahead of the February half-term holidays, comparison and switching service Uswitch is warning people travelling abroad to double-check their data roaming policies ahead of their trip.
An estimated 2 million Brits[1] are set to travel abroad this February half-term, with the most popular spots for getaways including Spain (25%), France (22%) and Germany (18%)[3].
Adding to the post-holiday blues, one in three (29%) holidaymakers have come back to a higher-than-expected phone bill after travelling abroad[2], costing them on average £24 more than usual[4]. Almost one in 10 (9%) have even returned home to an unexpected bill of £30.01 or more post-trip abroad[5].
While several mobile providers offer free EU roaming as part of all their plans, many EE, Three, Vodafone, and Sky Mobile customers will need to purchase specific ‘roaming passes’ as they may not have roaming included.
With the average cost of roaming plans in Europe at £2.22 per day[6], Brits travelling for the February half-term (typically for 5 days[7]) can expect an additional £11.10 in charges - more than the monthly cost of many SIM-only plans that already include free EU roaming.
Customers will also be subject to a fair usage cap, regardless of whether their plans include free roaming or not. Two-thirds (65%) of Brits with a mobile phone aren’t fully aware of their network’s fair usage policy[8] – leaving them at risk of being hit by unexpected bills.
A fair usage policy is a set of measures that mobile providers can apply to their customers to prevent ‘abuse’ (or overuse) of their network, particularly whilst using their data abroad. For Brits travelling this half-term, any data amount used over the fair usage will trigger a special charge rate.
The fair usage amount is often lower than a customer may get at home - which could leave holidaymakers hit with unexpected costs, even if they believe the destination is covered within their policy.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, shares advice for travellers planning to use their phone abroad this half-term holiday, alongside his picks for top SIM-only roaming deals:
“Staying connected while travelling abroad is crucial for many, but no one wants to face a surprise bill that could ruin their holiday.
“For those travelling this half-term, it's a good idea to check your provider’s roaming policy, as well as your personal data allowances and usage limits before you go.
“Roaming deals can vary between users on the same network, so it’s essential to review your individual plan. Instead of paying for an expensive roaming add-on, consider opting for a SIM-only deal which can offer more affordable options for staying connected abroad.
“If you’re unsure, reach out to your provider to discuss roaming caps, your current deal’s coverage, and potential costs to avoid any surprises.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Survey 1: Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from 4th February 2025 - 7th February 2025
Survey 2: Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from 15 March 2024 – 19 March 2024.
- Survey 1: Respondents were asked “Are you planning on going abroad during any of the school holidays in 2025?. 4% or 73 respondents said yes to the February half term. 73 / 2000 * 54196443 (UK adult population) = 1,978,170 (shorthand 2 million)
- Survey 1: Respondents were asked Have you ever received a phone bill after travelling abroad that was higher than you expected?. 29% of respondents said yes.
- Survey 1: Respondents were asked “Where are you planning to travel during each of these periods in 2025? February half-term (17th – 21st February)”. 25% of respondents answered Spain, 22% of respondents answered France and 18% of respondents answered Germany.
- Survey 1: Respondents were asked Have you ever received a phone bill after travelling abroad that was higher than you expected?. £23.80 was the average response for those who had received a phone bill after travelling that was higher than expected.
- Survey 1: Respondents were asked Have you ever received a phone bill after travelling abroad that was higher than you expected?. 4% said Yes - £30.01 - £40 more on my bill, 2% said Yes - £40.01 - £50 more on my bill and 4% said Yes - over £50 more on my bill).
- The average cost of Vodafone (£2.42 a day), Three (£2 a day), EE (£2.47 a day) and Sky Mobile (£2 a day).
- Survey 1: Respondents were asked How many days are you planning to go abroad for during the following periods?If you are planning multiple trips during each of these periods, please think of the total number of days you will be away. For those going away during the February half-term, the average number of days was 5.
- Survey 2: Respondents were asked “Do you agree with the following statements: I understand what a “Fair Usage” policy is”. 65% of respondents selected “agree”.
- For list of SIM-only roaming deals, please contact prteam@uswitch.com
For more information
Harriet Atkinson | Telecoms PR Manager
harriet.atkinson@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.