EE international roaming: what it really costs (2026)
EE offers 2 roaming products. Here's what each one actually costs — and where the hidden fees live.
Updated May 2026 · By Roaming Experts
Short Answer:
EE charges £2.59/day for international roaming in 210+ countries. A 7-day trip costs £18.13. A travel eSIM covers the same week for $9.40. You save $8.73 — no contract changes needed. Prices verified May 2026.
The pain
EE roaming plans, side by side
| Carrier | Daily | 7-day | 14-day | Data | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roam Abroad (EU) EU Roam Abroad confirmed at £2.47–£2.59/day. Charged per calendar day, not 24-hour rolling period. | £2.59 | £18.13 | £36.26 | 25GB fair use | Moderate |
Roam Further (USA/AU/NZ/CA) Roam Further zone (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand): £5.91/day. Pre-July 2021 customers may have legacy free EU roaming. | £5.91 | £41.37 | £82.74 | 25GB fair use | Expensive |
By destination
EE cost vs eSIM, top countries
7-day trip with moderate data usage.
| Country | EE daily | 7-day total | eSIM price | You save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | £2.59 | £18.13 | $3.49 | $14.64 |
| United Kingdom | £2.59 | £18.13 | $2.84 | $15.29 |
| Italy | £2.59 | £18.13 | $3.49 | $14.64 |
| France | £2.59 | £18.13 | $3.99 | $14.14 |
| Spain | £2.59 | £18.13 | $2.84 | $15.29 |
| Germany | £2.59 | £18.13 | $2.84 | $15.29 |
| Australia | £2.59 | £18.13 | $3.49 | $14.64 |
| Mexico | £2.59 | £18.13 | $3.49 | $14.64 |
| Canada | £2.59 | £18.13 | $5.99 | $12.14 |
| Thailand | £2.59 | £18.13 | $3.49 | $14.64 |
| Greece | £2.59 | £18.13 | $2.21 | $15.92 |
| Portugal | £2.59 | £18.13 | $2.21 | $15.92 |
Hidden fees
What EE doesn't put on the comparison page
×Daily charge applies per calendar day
EE charges per calendar day, not a 24-hour rolling period. Land at 11pm and you pay for that entire calendar day.
×25GB fair usage cap
EE imposes a 25GB monthly fair use cap on roaming data. Heavy users can exceed this within two weeks.
×Newer plans include roaming, older ones don't
Plans taken out after July 2023 may include roaming in EU destinations. Older plans require the separate Roam Abroad pass.
The relief
How to avoid EE roaming charges
- 1Put your phone in airplane mode before takeoff.Prevents auto-enrollment in EE roaming passes.
- 2Buy a travel eSIM for your destination ($7-15 typically).Travel eSIM providers (Airalo, HelloRoam, Saily) sell pre-purchased plans with QR-code activation.
- 3Install the eSIM and label it.Install in airplane mode. Label the line "Travel — data only." Keep your EE line for SMS.
- 4Enable the eSIM line for data after landing.Switch default data to the eSIM. Leave EE off for data, on for incoming SMS and calls.
- 5Back home: switch data back.Return to EE for data. The eSIM stays available for your next trip.
Better options
Recommended eSIM providers
Same networks, fraction of the cost.
HelloRoam
Global · 10GB · 30 days
$9.40
$0.31 / day
- ✓204+ carrier networks worldwide
- ✓180-day refund policy
- ✓Instant QR install
Saily
Global · 10GB · 30 days
$18.99
$0.63 / day
- ✓Instant QR install
- ✓5G where available
- ✓Keep your home number
Airalo
Global · 10GB · 30 days
$25.00
$0.83 / day
- ✓Instant QR install
- ✓5G where available
- ✓Keep your home number
FAQ
Common EE roaming questions
Is EE roaming free?
Depends on your plan. Plans from July 2023+ may include EU roaming in 53 destinations. Older plans pay £2.59/day for EU and £5.91/day for USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Does EE charge per calendar day or 24 hours?
Per calendar day. If you land at 11pm, you pay for that full day. This catches travellers who expect a full 24-hour window.
How does EE compare to an eSIM?
EE at £2.59/day costs £18.13/week for EU roaming. A travel eSIM costs £6-10 for the same trip with more data. The eSIM wins on value.
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