How to turn on international roaming before you travel (UK)

International roaming on Vodafone UK is usually active by default for Pay Monthly customers, but you must also switch on ‘Data Roaming’ in your phone’s settings to use mobile data abroad. Costs vary by destination zone and your specific plan, so it’s essential to check your allowances in the My Vodafone app before you travel. Since Brexit, free EU roaming is no longer guaranteed for most customers.

Step 1: Confirm roaming is active on your account

Log into the My Vodafone app and navigate to your plan details. Look for the ‘Roaming’ or ‘Travelling Abroad’ section. This will show which zones are included in your plan and whether any restrictions (called ‘roaming bars’) are in place. If a bar is active, you can remove it directly in the app by toggling the setting off. For Pay As You Go customers, you’ll need to purchase a roaming ‘Extra’ before you travel, as roaming is not included by default.

Step 2: Enable data roaming on your handset

Even if roaming is active on your Vodafone account, your phone won’t use mobile data abroad unless you enable it manually.

On iPhone: Go to Settings, tap Mobile Service (or Cellular), then Mobile Data Options, and toggle Data Roaming on.

On Android: Open Settings, tap Connections (or Network & Internet), select Mobile Networks, and turn Data Roaming on. The exact menu names vary by manufacturer (Samsung, Google, OnePlus, etc.), but the option is always under mobile or network settings.

Step 3: Buy a roaming pass if your plan doesn’t include your destination

If you’re travelling to a country not covered by your plan, you can purchase a pass through the My Vodafone app or by texting a code to 40506. For example, an 8-day European Roaming Pass can be bought by texting 8DAYEUROPE to 40506. Prices and durations vary: Vodafone offers 8-day and 15-day passes for Europe, and separate ‘Around the World’ Extras for other regions. These passes give you a set allowance of data, minutes, and texts for the duration of your trip.

Understanding Vodafone’s roaming zones

Vodafone organises destinations into zones, and your daily charge depends on which zone you’re visiting.

Zone A includes the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland, and Norway. Roaming here is included in all Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go plans at no extra cost.

Zone B (Euro Roam) covers 47 European destinations like Spain, France, Greece, and Portugal. For customers on plans started after 11 August 2021, a daily charge applies (£2.75 from April 2026).

Zone C (Global Roam) includes 32 worldwide destinations such as the USA, Australia, Canada, and Turkey. Some ‘Xtra’ plans include these countries, but most customers pay a daily charge.

Zone D covers 73 destinations including the UAE, Thailand, and India. A daily charge is required to use your UK allowance here.

Rest of the World destinations fall into four further zones, where pay-per-use rates or specific data packs apply.

What roaming costs in 2026

For Pay Monthly customers whose plans started on or after 11 August 2021, daily charges apply in most destinations. From April 2026, the Zone B (Europe) daily charge is £2.75. Plans with ‘Global Roam Plus’ or similar Xtra benefits may include roaming in up to 84 destinations at no extra daily cost, but all plans are subject to the 25GB monthly data fair use limit. If you exceed 25GB while roaming, you’ll be charged £3.84 per GB.

Pay As You Go customers must buy a roaming Extra to use their phone in Europe. An 8-day ‘Europe Extra’ typically costs around £10 for a bundle of data, calls, and texts, or less for data-only options.

Avoiding unexpected charges

Vodafone’s roaming service is designed for periodic travel, not permanent use abroad. If you spend more than 62 days in a four-month period roaming, and your usage abroad exceeds your UK usage, Vodafone may apply additional charges. You’ll receive a text alert 14 days before any extra fees are applied.

Use the Spend Manager tool in the My Vodafone app to set a cap on out-of-plan charges. This prevents your bill from escalating unexpectedly. Connect to Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and airports whenever possible to reduce mobile data consumption.

If you live near a border (such as Northern Ireland or coastal Kent), your phone may connect to a foreign network accidentally. Ofcom requires providers to offer protections against these inadvertent roaming charges. You can prevent this by manually selecting ‘Vodafone UK’ in your phone’s network settings.