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EU Roam Like at Home (2025): Fair‑Use Data Limits & Surcharges Explained

Roam Like at Home (RLAH) lets you use your domestic mobile plan across the EU/EEA at your home rates. But there’s a catch many travellers miss: fair‑use policy (FUP) limits for data, and small surcharges once you go over. In 2025, the EU’s cost caps change again, which nudges your minimum roaming data allowance up if your provider applies a FUP cap. This guide gives you a plain‑English calculator you can actually use, realistic examples for light/standard/heavy users, and a checklist to avoid bill shock. We also link straight to the official EU rules, and we update this page (with a banner) whenever the numbers change.If your trip includes non‑EU stopovers like Switzerland, the UK, Andorra or Monaco, your RLAH rights don’t apply there. See where your plan or an eSIM makes more sense on our live country pages: Destinations. If you need simple, borderless cover across multiple EU countries, a regional eSIM such as Esim Western Europe keeps costs predictable.Where RLAH applies in 2025RLAH covers EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It also includes EU outermost regions such as the Canary Islands, Madeira/Azores, and French overseas departments (e.g., Guadeloupe, Réunion, Martinique, French Guiana, Mayotte, Saint‑Martin FR).It does not automatically cover: - Switzerland, the UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Channel Islands/Isle of Man - Microstates not part of the EU/EEASome networks voluntarily include nearby non‑EU places in “Europe” bundles—check your operator. If your route is mixed‑region, consider an eSIM covering the gaps. For example: - Crossing the Schengen belt? Esim Western Europe - US trip before/after the EU? Esim United States or Esim North America - Planning France, Italy, Spain city‑hops? See Esim France, Esim Italy and Esim SpainFor the latest official scope and rights, consult the European Commission’s page: https://commission.europa.eu/consumer-protection/telecoms/roaming_enThe 2025 fair‑use rule changes in one minuteWholesale data cap falls to €1.30/GB (ex VAT) from 1 January 2025.That number matters because operators use it to calculate the minimum roaming data allowance on unlimited/very‑cheap bundles.If you exceed your fair‑use allowance (or are flagged for long‑term roaming), providers can add small surcharges, capped at EU‑regulated rates.The 2025 surcharge caps (maximums)These are the most your operator can add on top of your normal domestic rate if a fair‑use cap kicks in. All are ex VAT; local VAT is added on your bill. - Data: up to €1.30 per GB - Voice calls: up to €0.022 per minute (outgoing while roaming) - SMS: up to €0.004 per message (outgoing while roaming)Incoming calls while roaming in the EU should follow your domestic reception conditions (typically free).Plain‑English calculator: your minimum EU roaming data under FUPUse this if: - Your domestic plan is unlimited, or - Your plan is very cheap per GB and your operator applies a fair‑use cap while roamingStep‑by‑step: 1) Find your monthly bundle price without VAT- If your bill shows €24 with 20% VAT, the ex‑VAT price is €24 / 1.20 = €20.2) Apply the 2025 formula- Minimum roaming data (GB) = 2 × (Monthly ex‑VAT price) ÷ 1.303) Round down to a sensible whole number (operators often do).Quick examples (2025): - €10 ex VAT plan: 2 × 10 ÷ 1.30 ≈ 15.3 GB - €15 ex VAT plan: 2 × 15 ÷ 1.30 ≈ 23.0 GB - €20 ex VAT plan: 2 × 20 ÷ 1.30 ≈ 30.7 GB - €30 ex VAT plan: 2 × 30 ÷ 1.30 ≈ 46.1 GBImportant: - This calculator estimates the minimum data your operator must allow if they apply an “open‑bundle” fair‑use cap (typical for unlimited plans). Your operator can be more generous, but not stingier than the formula. - If your plan has a fixed domestic data cap (e.g., 5 GB, 30 GB), you can usually use that full allowance while roaming at domestic rates. Some very cheap large bundles may still be treated as “open” and be capped using the above formula—check your plan’s roaming terms.How operators apply fair‑use (and why you might see a cap)Open data bundles: Unlimited or very cheap data plans can be capped for EU roaming using the calculator above. Once you hit the cap, surcharges may apply for more data in the same billing period.Fixed data bundles: Most users can use up to their domestic data limit while roaming. If the domestic limit is higher than the calculator result and your plan is priced unusually low, your operator may still set a roaming cap around the calculator result.Long‑term roaming: If you spend more time abroad than at home and use more data abroad over a 4‑month window, your provider can warn you. If your usage pattern continues, they may apply the regulated surcharges. This is to stop permanent roaming on a cheaper foreign SIM.Pro tips: - Always check the roaming annex of your plan: it will state your EU roaming data allowance and any fair‑use limits. - Watch how your provider counts a “month”—billing cycle vs calendar month can affect when your cap resets. - If crossing non‑EU borders mid‑trip, keep your phone in flight mode until you confirm you’re in an RLAH country, or switch to a regional eSIM.Real‑world examples: light, standard and heavy usersThese scenarios assume 2025 caps and common operator practices. Your own plan may differ—always confirm your exact allowance in your account or app.1) Light user: 5 GB domestic cap, €12/month (incl. VAT 20%)- Domestic allowance: 5 GB- Ex‑VAT price: €12 / 1.20 = €10- Calculator result: ≈ 15 GB (but you don’t have unlimited)- Likely EU roaming allowance: 5 GB at domestic rates (because your domestic cap is 5 GB).- Beyond 5 GB: your operator may block or charge overage/surcharges—check your plan.2) Standard user: 50 GB domestic cap, €24/month (incl. VAT 20%)- Domestic allowance: 50 GB- Ex‑VAT price: €24 / 1.20 = €20- Calculator result: ≈ 31 GB- Likely EU roaming allowance: Either the full 50 GB or around 31 GB if your operator treats it as an open/very‑cheap bundle. Many mainstream plans allow the full 50 GB; budget plans may cap closer to the calculator.3) Heavy user: Unlimited domestic data, €36/month (incl. VAT 20%)- Ex‑VAT price: €36 / 1.20 = €30- Calculator result: ≈ 46 GB- Likely EU roaming allowance: About 46 GB at domestic rates. After that, your provider may add up to €1.30/GB (ex VAT) or throttle per policy.4) Frequent traveller flagged for long‑term roaming- If your usage is predominantly abroad for 4+ months, expect a warning SMS. Keep roaming heavily abroad and the operator can add the capped surcharges even before you hit your data allowance.If you need more guaranteed data across multiple borders, a travel eSIM with simple tiers can be cheaper and clearer than chasing FUP fine print. Compare regional options via Destinations or go straight to Esim Western Europe.What happens when you exceed the fair‑use allowance?Data: Your operator can add up to €1.30 per GB (ex VAT) on top of your domestic rate, until your billing period ends or a higher cap/add‑on applies. With 20% VAT, that’s up to €1.56/GB on your bill.Voice: Up to €0.022/min (ex VAT) for outgoing calls while roaming, if a FUP on calls applies.SMS: Up to €0.004 per message (ex VAT) for outgoing texts while roaming, if a FUP on SMS applies.Notifications: Operators must inform you when you approach and reach your data fair‑use limit, and when surcharges begin.Add‑ons: Many providers sell EU roaming bolt‑ons that reset or increase your allowance. Compare the per‑GB price of an add‑on vs the regulated surcharge; sometimes the surcharge is already the cheapest route, sometimes not.Pro tips: - Turn off automatic cloud backups, app auto‑updates and high‑bitrate streaming while roaming. - Download maps/playlists on Wi‑Fi before crossing borders. - If you’re heading beyond the EU/EEA (e.g., US), set up a separate eSIM like Esim United States to avoid out‑of‑bundle roaming.Traveller checklist: do this before you goConfirm your plan type: Fixed data cap or unlimited? Note the monthly price ex VAT.Find your EU roaming data allowance: In your carrier app or T&Cs. If “unlimited at home”, check the EU FUP value explicitly.Calculate your minimum: Use 2 × (ex‑VAT price) ÷ 1.30 to estimate the floor for 2025 if your plan is unlimited/very cheap.Set data alerts: Enable data‑use notifications at 80% and 100% in your phone and carrier app.Save key contacts offline: Booking codes, accommodation, travel insurance PDFs.Cover non‑EU gaps: Add a regional eSIM if your route includes Switzerland/UK/Andorra/Monaco—browse Destinations.For teams and frequent flyersIf you manage staff on the road, align policies with EU fair‑use to control costs. Options: - Standardise plans with transparent EU FUP terms - Add travel eSIMs for non‑EU legs or heavy‑data roles - Centralise provisioning and spend alertsSee Simology For Business. Resellers and travel partners can access tools and rates via our Partner Hub.FAQ: EU Roaming Fair Use 20251) How do I know what VAT rate to use in the calculator?Use the VAT of the country where your mobile contract is billed (shown on your invoice). To get the ex‑VAT price, divide your total by 1 + VAT rate (e.g., 1.20 for 20% VAT).2) Does RLAH cover Switzerland, the UK, Andorra or Monaco?No. RLAH rights only apply in the EU/EEA. Some carriers include these places voluntarily, but it’s not guaranteed. If they’re on your itinerary, consider a regional eSIM or local plan—see Destinations.3) Are tethering and 5G included when roaming?Generally, your roaming experience should match your domestic plan (including tethering and 5G) where technically feasible on the visited network. Some operators restrict hotspot use or cap speeds—check your plan’s roaming section.4) Will I be charged for incoming calls in the EU?Incoming calls while roaming in the EU/EEA should mirror your domestic reception conditions (typically free). Outgoing calls and SMS can incur small surcharges only if a FUP is triggered.5) What changes on 1 January 2025?The wholesale data cap falls to €1.30/GB (from €1.55 in 2024). That increases the minimum roaming data allowance on unlimited/very‑cheap plans when a fair‑use cap is applied, and lowers any per‑GB surcharges. We update this guide—and display an update banner—whenever the EU changes the caps.6) I travel every week across borders. How do I avoid long‑term roaming surcharges?Ensure your usage remains predominantly at home over any 4‑month window, or consider a travel eSIM for the roaming leg so your home SIM isn’t flagged. Business travellers with constant cross‑border use can benefit from dedicated roaming bundles—see For Business.Next step: Planning multi‑country travel in the EU? Keep it simple with a regional plan—compare options on Esim Western Europe, or browse country‑by‑country picks via Destinations.