How does roaming work on O2?

If you’re an O2 UK customer, roaming abroad is still relatively straightforward compared to other networks.

Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, it’s important to know how O2’s roaming policies work to avoid extra costs.

This guide will help you understand what’s included in your plan and what extra charges you might face. You might also want to consider an eSIM for travelling abroad.

Roaming in Europe

O2 customers can use their UK allowances in most European destinations without extra charges, including those on Pay As You Go (PAYG). However, there is a fair usage cap of 25GB of data.

If you go beyond that, you’ll be charged £3.50 per GB. Calls and texts remain included as part of your plan, but premium-rate numbers or special services may cost extra.

O2 also restricts roaming to short trips. You can only roam for 63 days in a four-month period. If you exceed this limit, charges apply: £3.50 per GB, 3.3p per minute for calls, and 1p per text.

This policy is in place to prevent long-term roaming misuse, so if you’re planning an extended stay, consider alternative options such as a local SIM card.

The countries included in the O2 Europe Zone are as follows: Austria, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Islands, Romania, San Marino, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vatican City, Italy)

Roaming outside Europe

If you’re travelling beyond Europe, O2 offers a Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt-On for £6 per day. This lets you use your UK allowances in selected countries, including the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, and many more.

You’ll only be charged for days when you use your phone (making a call, sending a text, or using data), so if you have Wi-Fi access, you can minimise costs.

If your destination isn’t covered, O2’s standard roaming rates can be expensive. Calls, texts, and data may be charged separately at higher rates, so it’s essential to check pricing before you travel.

Conveniently, O2 provides a roaming cost calculator on its website to help estimate your expenses.

Here’s the countries that are covered by the scheme: 

Albania, Anguilla, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia

Here’s more details on O2’s roaming costs

What is roaming?

Roaming is the term used when you choose to use your standard phone plan in a region outside of the one it was intended for; meaning you can still call, text and access the internet while abroad without having to change your SIM (or device).

Typically, using your phone while roaming has the potential to lead to significant charges; as carriers/networks typically invoke an additional fee per message, minute or megabyte used, outside of your plan’s native region.

If you have SIMs with other operators, check out our other guides:

• What you need to know about roaming on EE
• What you need to know about roaming on Vodafone
• What you need to know about roaming on Three

You can also read our roaming charges explainer, and learn how an eSIM might help you avoid roaming costs abroad.