Electronic Communications Office
Roaming (within and outside EEA)
When you travel abroad, mobile connectivity and pricing may change.
Although the rules can seem complex, this overview explains the key points to help you understand how mobile services work abroad, whether you are travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA) or outside it.
Roaming means that your mobile phone uses another operator’s network in the country you are travelling in. This happens automatically – you do not need to do anything.When you leave Iceland, your phone switches to roaming mode and connects to the first available network that your service provider has an agreement with.This can affect:
the price of calls
the cost of data usage
SMS charges
services such as voicemail
the strength and quality of the connection
If you travel within the EEA (for example Denmark, Spain, Italy or Germany) or the United Kingdom, the same terms apply as in Iceland. This applies to:
calls
SMS
data usage
This means you pay the same as you would at home in Iceland.
Mobile operators may apply a fair limit on how much data you can use while roaming, but they must follow specific rules. The limits are usually based on the price of your subscription. This means that:
You will receive a notification when you are approaching your data limit.
If you exceed the limit and continue roaming, additional charges may apply. However, the maximum price is capped.
For most users, these limits are sufficient for everyday internet use.
If you spend more than half of your time abroad over a four‑month period, roaming charges may apply. However, days spent travelling do not count.
All calls made while you are abroad are considered roaming, as well as any calls you receive.
If you travel outside the EEA, the “Roam Like at Home” rules do not apply.
Costs may therefore be:
higher
different depending on the country
dependent on which network you connect to
United States
Canada
Turkey
Thailand
Japan
Australia
Good to know
You only pay for the roaming you use
However, costs can be significantly higher than at home, especially for data usage
The cost of using your mobile phone abroad depends on where you are and how you use it. It is important to check with your service provider for the country you are travelling to.
1. Calls
Prices vary depending on the country and the mobile operator.
2. SMS
Usually inexpensive within the EEA
May be more expensive outside the EEA
3. Data usage
Data usage is often the main factor that increases your mobile bill abroad, especially outside the EEA
This is particularly the case if mobile data is not turned off on your smartphone
Costs may increase if your phone:
updates apps in the background
is used for streaming, for example YouTube, Spotify or TikTok
is used for video calls
connects to smart devices, such as a watch, a car or other equipment
automatically downloads images, documents and emails
connects to a more expensive network, even when a cheaper network is available in the same country
Turn off roaming outside the EEA
If you travel outside the European Economic Area (EEA), it is advisable to turn off mobile data on your phone.
Many devices do this automatically, but you should always check your settings before using the internet abroad.Buy a data package for use abroad
Most electronic communications service providers offer special data roaming packages for popular travel destinations. These packages are often much cheaper than using roaming services without a package.Using Wi‑Fi networks can be insecure
Using Wi‑Fi is often free or inexpensive and can significantly reduce costs.
However, Wi‑Fi networks can be insecure. Public and free Wi‑Fi networks may pose security risks, and it is important to exercise caution when using them.Contact your service provider before you travel
It is a good idea to contact your service provider before travelling abroad.
They can inform you about:
which countries are more expensive to use services in
what is included in your subscription
where particularly high charges may apply
Roaming on ships and aircraft often uses satellite networks, rather than terrestrial mobile networks.
This means that such roaming is:
not covered by EEA rules
often much more expensive
particularly important to switch off
It is best to turn off roaming:
before an aircraft takes off
before a ship leaves port
You will usually see one or more of the following:
a different network name (for example Orange, Vodafone UK, TIM, AT&T)
the letter “R” next to the network name on your phone
a message from your service provider about charges and conditions
In short
Within the EEA: the same price as at home
Outside the EEA: charges can be much higher
Data use outside the EEA can be very expensive
Wi‑Fi and data packages are usually the best options
Be careful with roaming on flights and sea journeys
Contact your service provider before you travel