EU roaming after Brexit: what UK travellers need to know

Before Brexit, UK mobile operators were bound by the EU's 'Roam Like at Home' regulation, which meant using your regular UK plan across the EU generally cost nothing extra. Since the UK left the EU, that regulation no longer automatically applies to UK operators — so what happens when you travel to the EU now depends on your specific provider, not on a single EU-wide rule.

What 'Roam Like at Home' actually is

'Roam Like at Home' is an EU regulation requiring operators based in EU/EEA member states to let their customers use data, calls, and texts across the bloc at domestic rates, without extra roaming charges (subject to fair use limits). It protects consumers of EU/EEA operators travelling within the EU/EEA — it was never a guarantee that applied to every operator worldwide.

What changed for UK travellers

Since the UK's exit from the EU, UK-based mobile operators are no longer bound by that EU regulation. This does not mean every UK operator now charges for EU roaming — some have chosen to continue offering inclusive or low-cost EU roaming as a competitive feature, while others apply daily charges or separate roaming passes. There is no single rule that applies to all UK operators; each sets its own policy.

What to actually do before you travel

• Check your specific UK operator's current EU roaming policy — don't assume it's the same as a previous trip or the same as another provider
• Ask specifically about the country or countries you're visiting, since some operators vary policy by destination
• If your operator charges for roaming, or you'd simply rather not rely on it, compare a BrisqNet travel eSIM for your destination as a fixed-price alternative
• Install your eSIM before you fly so it's ready to use when you land

Where to check current, official information

Roaming terms change, and the most reliable source is always your own mobile operator's current terms and conditions, checked shortly before you travel, rather than older articles or a previous trip's experience.