EU Roaming Rules 2026: What Changed for US and UK Travelers

Updated May 2026 · By The Roaming Cost Desk

Short Answer:

EU Roam Like at Home rules let EU residents use their phone across Europe at no extra cost. US travelers are not covered. AT&T still charges $12/day in France, Italy, and Spain. UK carriers reintroduced GBP2-3/day EU charges after Brexit. A travel eSIM costs $9-15 for a full week across all EU countries.

The rules

Who EU roaming rules actually protect

EU regulation vs reality for non-EU travelers.

EU Residents: Roam Like at Home

Since June 2017, EU/EEA residents use their domestic phone plan across all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway at no extra charge. The regulation was extended through 2032. Fair usage caps (15-25GB/month typical) prevent permanent roaming abuse.

US Travelers: Not Covered

EU roaming rules do not apply to US carrier plans. AT&T charges $12/day in every EU country. Verizon charges $12/day. T-Mobile includes free 2G data (128 kbps). US travelers pay the same rate in France as they do in Japan. The EU regulation protects EU residents only.

UK Travelers Post-Brexit

The UK left EU roaming rules after Brexit (January 2021). UK carriers reintroduced daily EU roaming charges. Vodafone charges GBP2.00/day in EU Zone A. EE charges GBP2.59/day. Three charges GBP2.75/day. Legacy plans from before October 2021 may still include free EU roaming.

2026 changes

What changed in 2026

Wholesale cap reduced to EUR 1.55/GB

The wholesale rate EU carriers charge each other dropped from EUR 2.00/GB to EUR 1.55/GB in 2026. This benefits EU residents with higher fair usage caps. It does not affect US or UK traveler rates.

T-Mobile raised International Pass to $10/day

T-Mobile doubled the International Pass price from $5/day to $10/day in 2026. A 7-day Europe trip went from $35 to $70 for LTE speed. The free 2G tier remains at 128 kbps.

EE shifted to calendar-day billing

EE now bills EU roaming by calendar day, not 24-hour period. A late-night arrival followed by next-morning usage triggers two full days of GBP2.59 charges.

eSIM adoption passed 40% of travelers

Travel eSIM adoption surpassed 40% among international travelers in 2026. Prices dropped to $9-15 per week across major providers. The cost gap between carrier roaming and eSIM continues to widen.

Quick answer

What are the EU roaming rules in 2026?

EU roaming rules (Roam Like at Home) let mobile users from any EU/EEA country use their domestic plan in 30 other EU/EEA countries at no extra charge, subject to a fair use data cap.

Countries covered

30 (EU + EEA)

Regulation valid through

2032

Wholesale data cap

EUR 1.55/GB (2026)

Switzerland included

UK included (post-Brexit)

Continuous roaming limit

4 months

Source: European Commission, EU Regulation 2022/612, BEREC reports, verified 2026.

FAQ

EU roaming rules FAQ

Do EU roaming rules apply to US travelers?

No. EU Roam Like at Home rules apply only to EU/EEA residents with EU carrier plans. US travelers pay their carrier's international roaming rate. AT&T charges $12/day. Verizon charges $12/day. T-Mobile includes free 2G data.

Do UK carriers charge for EU roaming after Brexit?

Yes. Since January 2021, UK carriers have reintroduced EU roaming charges. Vodafone charges GBP2.00/day. EE charges GBP2.59/day. Three charges GBP2.75/day. Legacy plans (pre-October 2021) may still include free EU roaming.

What is the EU fair usage policy for roaming?

EU carriers apply a fair usage cap to prevent permanent roaming. The cap is based on your plan price and the wholesale roaming rate. Typical caps range from 15-25GB per month. Beyond the cap, surcharges of EUR 1.55/GB apply (2026 rate).

Which countries are covered by EU roaming rules?

EU roaming rules cover all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (EEA countries). Switzerland is not included. The UK left EU roaming rules after Brexit in January 2021.

Is an eSIM cheaper than EU roaming for UK travelers?

For UK travelers, a travel eSIM costs $9-15 for a full week. UK carrier EU roaming costs GBP14-19 for the same week (GBP2-2.75/day x 7). The eSIM is cheaper and provides full LTE speed without fair usage caps.

Is it eSIM, e-SIM, or e SIM?

eSIM, e-SIM, and e SIM all refer to the same embedded SIM technology. The official term is eSIM, standardized by the GSMA.

More guides

Data roaming explained →How to avoid roaming charges →Europe roaming costs by country →Wi-Fi calling abroad →

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