Which UK phone companies offer free roaming in Germany?

EU agreements mean that phone companies are banned from charging EU residents extra 'roaming' fees for data use in any country within the bloc.

Additionally, all mobile phone operators in Germany continue to treat the UK as part of the EU as far as roaming is concerned – although none have ruled out introducing roaming charges at some point in the future.

But for travellers from the UK to Germany, the situation is rather different.

In the aftermath of the UK's exit from the EU, many British telecommunications companies have begun charging additional 'roaming' fees for people visiting the EU.

Here’s the latest list of companies that continue to offer free roaming, as well as those that don’t (and details of what they offer instead).

Free roaming in Germany

O2 – O2 includes free roaming as part of their standard monthly SIM plans – Classic, Plus and Ultimate, ranging from £16 to £34.

O2 customers can make calls and send texts within the Europe Zone to any other country in the Europe Zone, including the UK. 

Users can also benefit from their monthly data allowance – but there is a roaming limit of 25GB.

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When approaching the roaming limit, you will receive a text message warning that if you keep using data, you will be charged extra. 

BT – Although BT and EE are merging, the company still allows customers to opt for BT mobile plans, including the 50GB SIM, which starts at £13 a month.

As for roaming, customers benefit from Roam like Home free roaming in Germany and the rest of the EU. The plan includes 50GB of data usage as part of their fair use policy allowance.

You can make calls and send texts from the EU, including Germany, to UK landlines and mobiles at no extra charge.

You should also receive a notification if you are at 80 percent of your data usage allowance.

BT warns that Roam like Home is only available for people "usually based in the UK". 

You may face a surcharge if you have been using the Roam like Home plan for over four months in the EU.

Smarty – Smarty's SIM-only plans include roaming within the EU, with free unlimited calls and texts.

Customers have a “fair use” data limit of 12GB per month for a maximum of 60 days. 

To go above that, you’ll have to buy a data add-on. 

Giffgaff – Giffgaff allows people to use their usual allowance of calls and texts in the EU "at no extra cost". 

As for data, the cutoff is set at 5GB. If you go over the limit, you’ll have to pay 10p/MB or purchase a travel add-on. 

Lebara – Lebara allows free data roaming in EU countries including Germany, subject to fair use policies.

Customers who remain in the EU for longer than four months will receive an sms informing them that a surcharge of €0.02618 per minute will be levied on outgoing calls, €0.00238 per minute on incoming calls, €0.00476 per text message and €1.85 per GB.

Additional roaming fees

Vodafone – Some of Vodafone’s mobile plans include roaming in Germany, which falls into their “B destination list”.

For instance, you can opt for the 5GB Xtra Euro Roam, which costs £27 a month.

Otherwise, you can purchase a plan that does not include roaming and pay an extra daily charge of £2.57 a day when roaming, or purchase an eight-day European Roaming Extra pass.

EE Mobile – EE Mobile has been changing its approach to roaming following Brexit, with some of the contracts it offered before July 2021 no longer available. 

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The company, however, still has several plans that do include EU roaming (the Max Plan, Full Works, Essentials Plus, and All Rounder).

For customers whose plans do not include roaming, they can purchase temporary passes, with fees of £2.59 per day, £15 per week, and £21.50 per 12 days. 

Calls, texts and data would be available at your normal UK allowance.

You can decide which pass to purchase upon arrival, as you will receive a link listing the available options.

Tesco Mobile – Customers who joined Tesco Mobile before June 16th, 2022 will continue to be able to use their UK plan allowance in the EU, including Germany. 

However, those who have changed contracts or joined after June 16th, 2022 will "be subject to roaming charges from 2026," the company warns on its website.

Customers should receive 30 days' notice before the changes are implemented. 

For the time being, people on monthly Tesco Mobile SIM plans will still be able to have roaming in Germany included in their standard bill.

Three – Similarly to EE Mobile and Vodafone, Three offers some plans (like Value and Complete) which include roaming in the EU. 

Customers whose plans do not include roaming can pay a daily charge of £2 for the 'Go Roam in Europe' pass. Data is capped at 12GB in any Go Roam destination.

Sky – Sky doesn’t offer plans including free roaming in the EU.

However, customers can opt for the 'Roaming Passport Plus', which grants access to their UK data, calls and texts allowance for a £2 daily charge.

With reporting by Tom Pugh.