Roaming fees have largely disappeared within the EU, but in countries outside the EU they can still be a significant cost. We've gathered the typical price zones and prices so you know what to expect — and when it's better to choose an eSIM.
Roaming within the EU: Roam Like at Home
Since 2017 you've been able to use your home plan while abroad within the EU:
- Calls and texts: Domestic rates across the whole EU
- Mobile data: Your home plan can be used, but the Fair Use Policy (FUP) may impose a limit
Fair Use Policy — what to watch for
Under the FUP, carriers can cap data use if:
- You use it abroad long-term (mostly abroad over 4+ months)
- You exceed the data limit — your carrier calculates a FUP limit based on your plan's price
So EU roaming is not entirely unlimited, but for a short holiday (1–3 weeks) it's generally more than enough.
Roaming outside the EU: price zones
Typical carrier price zones (indicative, 2026):
| Price zone | Example countries | Mobile data | Daily bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone I (EU/EEA) | Greece, Croatia, Italy | Home plan | Not needed |
| Zone II | Turkey, Egypt, Switzerland | Expensive per MB | Moderate |
| Zone III | USA, Canada, Thailand, Japan | Very expensive per MB | High |
| Zone IV | Some African and Asian countries | Extremely expensive per MB | High |
*Prices are indicative and vary by carrier.*
Concrete cost examples: roaming vs. eSIM
1-week holiday, 1–2 GB of daily data use:
| Destination | Daily roaming bundle (7 days) | eSIM (7 days, ~10 GB) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Expensive | from €8.99 | ~75% |
| Egypt | Expensive | from €13.99 | ~77% |
| USA | Expensive | from €11.99 | ~78% |
| Thailand | Expensive | from €9.99 | ~83% |
| Dubai (UAE) | Expensive | from €17.99 | ~80% |
*eSIM prices can be viewed in the eSIM Surfer app.*
Comparing carriers
Roaming tariffs vary between carriers, but the pattern is the same everywhere:
- Price zones I–V: Each carrier publishes the list of countries in each zone on its website
- Daily and weekly roaming bundles: Usually activatable through the carrier's app
- EU FUP limit: Depends on your plan's price
Before you travel, it's worth checking your own carrier's exact zones and prices — the differences can be significant, especially outside the EU.
How to avoid a surprise bill
- Turn off data roaming — if you don't need it, don't leave it on
- Set a spending limit — most carriers allow this
- Use an eSIM for data — that way no roaming fee is incurred on the physical SIM
- Check the price zone — before you travel, see which zone your destination is in
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling — if your carrier supports it, calls aren't charged as roaming
Summary
Within the EU roaming is effectively free and perfectly suitable for a short holiday. Outside the EU, however, roaming fees remain dramatically high — here an eSIM offers a 70–85% saving. The most important thing: check the price zone before you travel, and if you're going outside the EU, use an eSIM.