The Traveller's Magazine
No one likes to look at their phone bill after returning from a trip abroad. A few calls here, a few texts there and you’ve racked up a ton of charges. That’s all going to change in July 2017 across Europe.
Mobile phone users around EU countries will soon be able to use their phones at no extra cost. The European Union has reached a provisional deal that will see mobile phone roaming fees scrapped across the 28 member states. It’s part of an effort to boost growth across the continent and also encourage innovation. Plus, for travellers it’s great knowing you can call your friends at home even when you’re on holiday in Spain.
Roaming fees have been forcedly lowered over the past seven years by the EU. Caps have been placed on bills, stopping operators from charging their clients extortionate amounts of money to keep in touch with friends and family while abroad.
Currently the charge caps are €0.19 per minute for calls, €0.06 per text message and €0.20 per MB of data. By April 30th, 2016 this will all go down again to €0.05 per minute for calls, €0.02 per text and €0.05 per MB. By the following summer, these fees will be a thing of the past.
