« International plan » is not an official category: it is a mobile plan that includes calls, texts or data usable outside your home country. In Europe, the question is settled by law for plans from EU operators: in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Moldova and Ukraine, the plan is used at domestic prices, within fair use. Elsewhere, and for plans from US or UK carriers, each carrier sets its own terms: you then need a plan that includes your destination, an add-on, or a travel eSIM.
This guide explains the official rules (EU regulation, the French regulator Arcep, Your Europe, and Ofcom for the UK), how to find out what your plan really includes, carrier add-ons and the alternatives. For eSIM, see also our travel eSIM guide.
International phone plans: key points
- « Roam like at home » zone: EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Moldova and Ukraine, for plans from operators covered by the regime (Your Europe, Arcep).
- Outside that zone: prices are set freely; it all depends on your plan and its add-ons.
- For subscribers of operators covered by the EU rules: a default cap of 50 euros on data roaming, worldwide, with alerts at 80% and 100% (Arcep).
- Satellite networks (planes, ships) are not covered by the regulation.
- Compare the included plan, the carrier add-on and a travel eSIM according to destination and length of stay.
In Europe: roaming at domestic prices
Since 15 June 2017, Arcep notes, « roaming services in Europe are included in operators’ offers », at no extra cost within fair use. The regime, extended by Regulation (EU) 2022/612, covers the European Economic Area (the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and, since 1 January 2026, Ukraine and Moldova, according to Arcep. It protects subscribers of operators covered by these rules; Your Europe does not say how visitors with US or UK plans are treated, so check your own carrier’s terms for each country.
- Calls and texts: charged at domestic rates; Arcep says an operator cannot restrict roaming calls and texts under fair use.
- Data: on some plans, the operator may limit the volume usable at the domestic rate; beyond it, a capped surcharge is possible. The volume is stated in your plan’s fact sheet.
- Calls to another country in the zone: covered by the roaming rules when you are yourself in the zone.
- Permanent use: according to Your Europe, the operator may check your use over a period of 4 months and, if you spend more time abroad and use more data there than at home, ask you to clarify your situation within 14 days.
- Planes and boats: satellite services are not covered and are charged « without price caps » (Your Europe). Switch to airplane mode on board.
Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Albania are not in this zone: some operators include them in their plans anyway, but that is a commercial choice. See for example our guides to eSIM in Switzerland, eSIM in Turkey and eSIM in Albania.
Outside Europe: what changes
Outside the zone, Arcep says « operators can freely set international roaming rates ». Three situations arise:
- Your plan includes the destination with a data allowance: nothing to buy, check the volume.
- Your carrier sells an add-on or pass for the destination: compare it with a travel eSIM.
- Nothing is provided: usage is billed outside the plan, up to the protection cap.
The common safeguard for subscribers of operators under the EU rules: data roaming spend is capped by default at 50 euros « worldwide », unless another cap is agreed; you are alerted at 80% and then 100%, and data is then blocked unless you expressly ask otherwise (Arcep). This cap does not apply to calls and texts.
What carriers in the US and UK offer
United Kingdom. According to Ofcom (statement of 22 March 2024 and guidance on General Condition C3 of 1 October 2024, found on ofcom.org.uk on 12 November 2026), UK mobile providers must alert customers when they start roaming, with information about charges and spending limits, and have measures to reduce or limit roaming spend. Whether your plan includes roaming in Europe or elsewhere is a matter for your provider’s terms: check the add-ons, which usually come with a fair-use policy.
United States. We did not find an official US rule on roaming charges, so check your carrier’s international page: what is included, the data volume abroad and the price of passes.
How to find out what your plan includes
- Open your account or your carrier’s app, in the « international », « abroad » or « roaming » section.
- Search for your destination country in the country search tool: it shows the zone, included volumes and out-of-plan price.
- Note the data volume usable abroad: it is often lower than the volume at home.
- Check the price of calls and texts, made and received, which may be charged outside the included zone.
- If you add an option, note its duration and end date.
- Keep the customer service number reachable from abroad.
Plan, add-on or eSIM: how to choose
| Solution | Advantages | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Plan that includes the destination | Nothing to install, same number | Volume sometimes limited, list of countries to check |
| Carrier add-on or pass | Simple activation, same number | Short duration, variable volume |
| Travel eSIM | Targeted by country, installed before departure | Compatible, unlocked phone; often data only |
| Local SIM or eSIM | Local number, useful for a long stay | Formalities on site (ID, sometimes phone registration) |
For destinations where a local line requires formalities, our guides detail the official rules: Japan, Thailand, Canada, Morocco or Tunisia.
Good habits before you leave
- Check your destination’s zone and the included volume.
- Turn off data roaming if you do not want to use any, and use Wi-Fi.
- With a travel eSIM, keep your home line on for texts but turn off its data.
- Download maps and documents offline.
- On a cruise or a plane, switch to airplane mode: satellite networks are not capped.
- Check your travel insurance and your entry requirements: a phone plan does not replace them.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every European country is covered: Switzerland and the United Kingdom are not covered by the regulation.
- Ignoring the « abroad » volume of a plan that is unlimited at home.
- Leaving data on for the home line when using an eSIM.
- Using your phone at sea or on a plane without checking the network.
- Forgetting to cancel an add-on or an auto-renewing subscription.
Finding the right solution for your trip
If your plan does not cover your destination, compare your carrier’s add-on and a travel eSIM on the same criteria: volume, duration, countries covered, network used and refund terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is an international phone plan?
A mobile plan that includes calls, texts or data usable outside your home country. It is not an official category: each carrier defines its destinations and volumes.
In which countries does my plan work as at home?
In the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Moldova and Ukraine, within fair use, for plans from operators covered by the EU rules. For US and UK plans, check your carrier’s list of included countries.
Are Switzerland and the United Kingdom included?
Not by the EU regulation: some operators include them in their plans, so check yours.
What happens if I go over?
For subscribers of operators under the EU rules, a default cap of 50 euros applies to data roaming worldwide, with alerts at 80% and 100% (Arcep). UK providers must alert customers when they start roaming (Ofcom).
Do I pay on a plane or a boat?
Satellite services are not covered by the European regulation and are not capped: switch to airplane mode.
International plan or eSIM?
If your plan includes the destination with enough data, there is nothing to buy. Otherwise, compare your carrier’s add-on and a travel eSIM.
Our sources
- Arcep (French electronic communications regulator), « International roaming rates » (updated 19 October 2026), read on 27 October 2026.
- Your Europe (European Commission), Roaming costs (last checked 7 January 2026), read on 27 October 2026 and again on 12 November 2026.
- Regulation (EU) 2022/612 of 6 April 2022 on roaming on public mobile communications networks, cited by Arcep (« Reference texts »).
- Ofcom, Mobile roaming: strengthening customer protections (statement published 22 March 2024) and guidance on General Condition C3: Roaming (published 1 October 2024), found on 12 November 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.