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The days when people would switch off their mobile phones in neighboring countries to avoid high charges for incoming calls are long gone. For many people, making phone calls and, above all, using mobile Internet are now ubiquitous and indispensable, even when traveling.
However, depending on your location, surfing the web, sending emails and messages, and navigating via apps can still be associated with high costs. Additional charges may also apply for calls and text messages.
“Roam like you’re at home”
Since 2017, the “roam like at home” principle has been applied in EU countries, meaning that the mobile phone services you are accustomed to in Austria can also be used there at the same price. For example, if you have a tariff that includes minutes, text messages, and data volume, these will initially be deducted when used in other EU countries, as if you were on your home network.
Since 2022, the speed of the data connection may no longer be throttled. However, providers may charge roaming surcharges once a certain data consumption threshold has been reached. The corresponding data volume limit must be clearly stated in the contract. For example, if you pay 7 cents per unit, such as a minute of talk time, for a simple prepaid plan in your home country, the same applies in other EU countries.
International calls are billed per minute
However, be aware that if you call a number in another EU country using an Austrian SIM card, for example, to make a reservation at a restaurant at your vacation destination, this will be considered an international call. Depending on your tariff, this will incur costs, which are usually billed per minute.
If you stay in another EU country for more than three months, the so-called “fair use policy” may apply. This means that, under certain circumstances, the provider may charge roaming surcharges for calls, text messages, and data usage. Details can be found in your mobile phone contract.
Small countries not covered by EU regulations
Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway have the same roaming rules as the European Union. Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino are all surrounded by EU countries; however, the EU Roaming Regulation does not apply to them.
The same applies to Vatican City, but only the Italian mobile network is available there anyway. Depending on the contract, providers in these microstates may therefore charge additional fees for mobile services.
Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Switzerland is considered a third country and can therefore quickly become a cost trap. Following Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer subject to EU roaming rules since 2021.
Here, too, you should check your contract for the relevant international charges so that you are not surprised by a high bill after your trip. All other countries are divided into different zones by Austrian mobile phone providers, with varying prices per unit.
Billing per minute, SMS, or kilobyte
Typically, in non-EU countries, you pay per minute for both outgoing and incoming calls, as well as per message for text messages. Data is billed in kilobytes or megabytes. This can quickly become expensive.
Even if you are not actively using your smartphone, it may be connected to the mobile internet in the background, for example, to download emails or messages. Receiving a single image that is 1 to 2 megabytes in size can easily cost 20 euros. Sending it is just as expensive. If you are unsure about what applies to your tariff and your planned destination, you can check with your mobile phone provider’s hotline.
Cruises and satellite mobile communications
You should also be careful when traveling by ship. On a ferry or cruise ship, your cell phone may connect to a non-EU network—in the Mediterranean, for example, to a North African network.
Sometimes, satellite mobile communications are available on ships; however, the EU roaming guidelines do not apply in this case. Calls can cost several euros per minute.
Mobile phone settings
So, how can you avoid falling into the mobile phone cost trap while on vacation? The easiest way is to turn data roaming on and off in the SIM or mobile phone settings of your smartphone.
If you are flying to Asia or America, for example, you should set the slider to “off” before departure. Otherwise, your smartphone may download missed messages immediately after landing on a foreign network, resulting in a 2-digit bill within a few minutes.
Manual network selection in border areas
If you frequently travel in border areas with non-EU countries, such as southern Croatia or Greece, it is advisable to set your smartphone’s network selection to manual in its settings. There, you should select a network that falls under EU roaming rules.
The network you are currently connected to is shown in the status bar at the top of the display. If your mobile phone connects to a new foreign network, you will also be automatically informed of possible costs via SMS.
Mobile phone provider settings
In the mobile phone provider’s settings, for example, in the corresponding service app, you can also specify whether you want to use roaming or allow calls abroad. Additionally, all Austrian mobile phone providers have a data roaming cost limit of 60 euros.
Once this invoice amount has been reached, you will receive an information text message. You must then confirm that you want to continue surfing at your own expense.
Additional international packages or foreign SIM cards
Many Austrian mobile phone providers offer additional packages for use abroad. These are usually valid for a few days. Compared to additional domestic phone or data packages, they are very expensive.
A good and often inexpensive alternative is SIM cards from the destination country, or, if your mobile phone supports it, global eSIM cards. Physical SIM cards can be purchased locally, while an eSIM can be easily activated via an app.
Travel eSIM cards are available from eSIM.net, knowroaming.com, or the Austrian provider Red Bull Mobile, for example. Instructions for using eSIM cards can be found on the provider’s website.
- source: futurezone.at/picture: pixabay.com
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