How to Turn On Roaming on Your Mobile
Table of Contents
Turning on roaming (or data roaming) on your mobile essentially comes down to two steps: flicking a switch in your phone’s settings and, in some cases, confirming activation with your provider. Within the European Union and the European Economic Area you use your domestic tariff with no surcharges, thanks to the “roam like at home” rules; outside that zone, prices aren’t regulated and it’s worth preparing before you travel to avoid a large bill.
In this guide we explain, step by step and in plain terms, how to turn roaming on and off on Android and iPhone, how it works inside and outside the EU, what a travel eSIM is, and how to keep your spending under control. And since at Quecomparo.es we compare telecoms tariffs impartially, at the end you’ll find how to get the tariff that best fits the way you travel.
In short
Roaming = a switch on your phone + (sometimes) activation with your provider. In the EU/EEA you pay no surcharges for using your tariff; outside the EU the cost depends on the zone and the provider, there’s an automatic data cut-off when you reach €50, and it’s worth considering a travel bundle or an eSIM. The saving is never a fixed figure: it depends on the zone, the type of tariff, how much data you need and how long you’re away.
What is roaming or data roaming?
Roaming is the service that lets your mobile keep working when you leave your provider’s coverage area and connect to another company’s network, usually in a different country. Thanks to it, you can make and receive calls, send texts and browse using data with the same number and the same SIM.
Data roaming specifically means using mobile internet on those other networks. It’s the part worth watching most closely, because that’s where the bulk of usage sits: according to data compiled by BEREC, average monthly roaming data usage per user within the EEA was around 1.97 GB in the third quarter of 2024.
How to turn on roaming on your mobile, step by step
Data roaming is turned on from your phone’s settings. The exact paths vary by manufacturer and operating system version, but the route is very similar across all devices.
Activar el roaming en Android
- Open Settings.
- Go into “Connections” or “Network & Internet” (depending on the manufacturer).
- Tap “Mobile networks” or “SIM cards & mobile networks”.
- Turn on the “Data roaming” switch (it’ll go green or blue).
Example paths by manufacturer: Samsung → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming · Xiaomi → SIM cards & mobile networks → Advanced settings → Data roaming · Google Pixel → Network & Internet → SIMs → Roaming. |
Turning on roaming on iPhone (iOS)
- Open Settings.
- Pulsa en «Datos móviles».
- Go into “Mobile Data Options” (if you have dual SIM/eSIM, select the line you want to use first).
- Turn on “Data Roaming”.
Sources: official Apple and Google support documentation.
Calls and texts vs data
The “data roaming” switch controls mobile internet only. Calls and texts while roaming can be charged for outside the EU even with data turned off. If you want to block everything at once, the safest approach is to turn on flight mode and connect via Wi-Fi only.
Do you also need to activate anything with your provider?
It depends on your company and your type of line. Within the EU, many providers have roaming switched on by default, but some — particularly on pay-as-you-go lines, virtual providers (MVNOs), or for travel outside the EU — require you to activate it explicitly, either from your online account, the app, or by calling customer services. Others keep roaming blocked outside the EU until the customer unblocks it. The practical advice: check with your provider before you travel.
Roaming in the European Union: "like at home"
Since 2017, travelling around the European Union with your mobile has involved no surcharges: this is the “roam like at home” principle. The rules currently in force come from Regulation (EU) 2022/612, applicable since 1 July 2022, which extends this arrangement until 30 June 2032. In practice, you use your contracted minutes, texts and data just as you would in Spain, at no extra cost.
Which countries are covered
- The 27 EU countries.
- The EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
- From 1 January 2026, Moldova and Ukraine are included, following EU Council decisions in July 2025.
Outside this arrangement are, among others, the United Kingdom (following Brexit, though some providers maintain it voluntarily), Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco. It’s worth checking case by case.
The fair use policy (FUP)
To prevent permanent use of roaming (for example, taking out a tariff in one country and always using it in another), the rules allow providers to apply a fair use policy that affects data only, not calls or texts. If your domestic tariff includes unlimited calls and texts, they’re unlimited in the EU too.
The minimum guaranteed data volume for roaming is worked out with this formula:
Guaranteed data (GB) = 2 × (tariff price excluding VAT ÷ wholesale cap per GB) |
The wholesale cap falls each year on a regulated schedule: €1.30/GB in 2025, €1.10/GB in 2026 and €1/GB from 2027 through to 2032. Example from the European Commission: a tariff of €13 excluding VAT with unlimited data guarantees at least 20 GB while roaming [2 × (13 ÷ 1.30)]. Regulatory basis: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2286.
Same speed and network quality
The rules also guarantee that, where the visited network is technically capable, you get the same quality and speed as at home, including 4G or 5G if your domestic tariff includes them.
Telecoms prices
Roaming outside the European Union
Outside the EU/EEA there are no regulated prices. Each provider groups countries into zones and applies per-megabyte and per-minute rates that can be very high. Normal data use can hit the spending limit in a short space of time, so preparing in advance is key.
How to avoid a large bill outside the EU
- Check your destination’s zone and its rate before you travel.
- Consider a travel bundle or pass (daily, weekly or by volume) — a common option that reduces the cost compared with the standard rate.
- Consider a travel eSIM with local data, or a local SIM at your destination.
- Prioritise Wi-Fi for large downloads, video calls and updates.
- Keep flight mode on when you don’t need a connection, particularly on ships and planes.
Watch out on ships, planes and near borders The EU rules only cover land-based networks. Satellite connections on cruises or planes aren’t regulated and can be extremely expensive. Near borders, your phone can also latch onto a neighbouring country’s network without you realising (“inadvertent roaming”). |
Travel eSIM: an alternative to traditional roaming
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into the phone itself, set up via a QR code or an app, with no physical chip. Roaming with an eSIM works just like with a traditional SIM, and it’s available on most modern smartphones (Apple from the iPhone XS onwards, and numerous Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models).
Its big advantage for travel: you can keep your Spanish number on the physical SIM (for calls and messaging) and, alongside it, use a local data eSIM from your destination country. To use an eSIM from another provider, your device must be unlocked. Quick tip to check compatibility: dial *#06# and see whether an EID code appears.
Comparison: how roaming works depending on your type of tariff
How roaming behaves depends on your type of tariff and your destination zone. This table summarises, as a general guide and without going into specific providers, what you can expect in each case:
-
Tipo de tarifa En la UE/EEE («como en casa») Fuera de la UE/EEE Contrato con datos limitados Usas tu volumen nacional sin recargo. La FUP solo se aplica si el precio por GB es muy bajo. Tarifa por zona del operador, sin «como en casa». Corte automático al llegar a 50 €. Contrato con datos ilimitados Tope de datos según la fórmula FUP, con aviso al 80 % del límite. Tarifa por zona; conviene contratar un bono de viaje o usar una eSIM. Prepago Roaming como en casa; posible límite de datos según saldo o precio por GB. A menudo requiere activar un bono o módulo; los datos pueden estar bloqueados por defecto. OMV / operador de bajo coste «Como en casa» obligatorio en la UE; puede requerir activación previa de la línea. Conviene verificar cobertura y activar el servicio antes de viajar.
How much can you save? The variables involved
There’s no guaranteed saving figure for roaming, because the cost and the saving depend on several combined factors. Knowing them lets you pick the right option for each trip:
- Destination zone: within the EU/EEA there’s no surcharge; outside, the price varies a lot by zone.
- Type of tariff: contract or pay-as-you-go, with or without roaming included.
- Data volume: how many GB you actually need during the trip.
- Trip length: affects whether a daily bundle, a weekly one or an eSIM makes more sense.
- Use of bundles or eSIMs: compared with the standard rate outside the EU, they usually reduce the cost.
- FUP limits: applicable to data in the EU on very cheap or unlimited tariffs.
Specific saving figures in euros: N/A (they depend on each tariff and destination, and can’t be verified in general terms).
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Questions? We answer them
How do I enable roaming on an iPhone?
Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options → and turn on “Data Roaming”. If you have dual SIM or eSIM, select the relevant line first.
Is roaming free within the European Union?
You pay no surcharges: you use your domestic tariff “like at home” under Regulation (EU) 2022/612, in force until 30 June 2032. Only data may be subject to a limit under the fair use policy.
Which countries are covered by ‘roam like at home’?
The 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. From 1 January 2026, Moldova and Ukraine join. The United Kingdom, Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco fall outside the arrangement.
How much does roaming cost outside the EU?
There’s no regulated price: it depends on the country’s zone and the provider, and it can be high. That’s why it’s worth checking the zone and considering a travel bundle or an eSIM. Specific amount: N/A, varies by destination and company.
How do I switch off roaming to avoid high bills?
Turn off “Data roaming” in your phone’s settings. To block everything (including calls and texts), turn on flight mode and use Wi-Fi only.
What is the Fair Usage Policy (FUP)?
It’s a rule that allows providers to cap the data you use while roaming in the EU, calculated with the formula 2 × (tariff price excluding VAT ÷ wholesale cap per GB). It never affects calls or texts: if they’re unlimited on your domestic tariff, they’re unlimited in the EU too. You’ll get an alert at 80% of the limit.
Does roaming work on ships and aeroplanes?
The satellite networks on ships and planes aren’t covered by the EU rules and can be very expensive. The safest approach is to turn on flight mode on board and connect only to their Wi-Fi.
Do I need to activate roaming with my mobile operator, or is my mobile phone enough?
Within the EU the phone switch is usually enough, but some providers (especially on pay-as-you-go, MVNOs, or for destinations outside the EU) require you to activate it explicitly. Check with your company before you travel.
Why doesn’t my internet work abroad even though I have signal?
The most common cause is having “data roaming” turned off on your phone. Check that switch; if you’re outside the EU, also check that roaming is activated on your line and that you haven’t hit your spending limit.
Rafa Loza es experto en el sector energético, fundador y CEO de Quecomparo.es, un comparador de tarifas independiente y gratuito, donde ayudan a miles de usuarios a reducir su factura de luz, gas o telefonia.
Con más de 20 años de experiencia en el sector, Rafa Loza y se equipo, monitorean y comparan entre todas las tarifas del mercado para ofrecer a cada usuario la más conveniente para él.
- Rafa Loza
- Rafa Loza
