O2 Roaming: Using Your Phone Abroad
Everything you need to know about using your O2 phone abroad. Learn about O2 Travel Inclusive, EU roaming, Travel Boosters, and how to manage your data roaming settings.
Disclaimer: This is an independent help resource and is not affiliated with O2, Telefonica UK, or Virgin Media O2. For official support, visit o2.co.uk
We've helped thousands of readers avoid bill shock when travelling abroad. Here's everything you need to know about using your O2 phone internationally.
EU Roaming - O2 Travel Inclusive
O2 Travel Inclusive is included with most O2 Pay Monthly plans, allowing you to use your UK allowances in Europe at no extra cost.
Good News: With O2 Travel Inclusive, you can use your UK minutes, texts, and data in 47 European destinations just like you would at home.
What is Included?
- Use your UK minutes to call UK and local numbers
- Send texts to UK and local numbers
- Use your UK data allowance (up to 25GB per month)
- Receive calls and texts for free
O2 Travel Inclusive Destinations
O2 Travel Inclusive covers 47 European destinations including:
- EU Countries: France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, and all other EU member states
- Additional Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Monaco, Switzerland, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man
Fair Usage Limits
Data Cap: While roaming in Europe, you can use up to 25GB of data per month. After this, you may be charged £3.50 per GB. Check your specific plan for exact limits.
Quick tip from our team: Download maps, music, and shows before you travel. This saves data and means you're not caught out if you hit your roaming limit.
Non-EU Roaming Rates
When travelling outside Europe, O2 standard roaming rates apply. These vary by destination and can be expensive without a Travel Booster.
O2 Roaming Zones
O2 divides the world into different roaming zones:
| Zone | Example Countries | Data (per MB) | Calls (per min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe Zone | France, Spain, Germany | Included* | Included* |
| World Zone 1 | USA, Canada, Australia | £6.00 | £2.00 |
| World Zone 2 | UAE, Brazil, India | £6.00 | £3.00 |
| World Zone 3 | Other countries | £6.00+ | £4.00+ |
*With O2 Travel Inclusive, subject to fair usage limits
Bill Shock Alert: Without a Travel Booster, roaming outside Europe can quickly become very expensive. A single day of moderate use could cost over £100. Always check rates and consider a Travel Booster before you travel.
In our experience: Setting your phone to WiFi-only and only using hotel/cafe WiFi is the safest way to avoid bill shock outside Europe. It's easier than you'd think.
O2 Travel Boosters
Travel Boosters are add-ons that give you a bundle of data, minutes, and texts to use abroad at a fixed price.
Available Travel Boosters
| Booster | Allowance | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| O2 Travel Day Pass | Unlimited data, calls & texts | 24 hours | From £4.99/day |
| Weekly Booster | Up to 10GB data | 7 days | From £19.99 |
| Data Booster | 1GB data | 30 days | From £4.99 |
Prices and availability may vary. Check the My O2 app for current offers.
How to Add a Travel Booster
- Open the My O2 app on your phone
- Go to Add-ons or Extras section
- Select Travel or Roaming
- Choose your destination and preferred booster
- Confirm the purchase
Tip: Add your Travel Booster before you leave the UK to ensure it is active when you arrive at your destination.
WiFi Calling Abroad
O2 WiFi Calling allows you to make and receive calls over WiFi when you have a weak mobile signal. It can also be useful abroad.
Using WiFi Calling When Travelling
- Calls made over WiFi abroad are charged as if you are in the UK
- You can call UK numbers at your standard UK rate
- Works on compatible devices when connected to WiFi
- Great for hotels, cafes, and airports with free WiFi
How to Enable WiFi Calling
- Ensure your device supports O2 WiFi Calling
- Go to Settings on your phone
- Find Phone or Mobile Data settings
- Enable WiFi Calling
- Connect to a WiFi network to use
Note: WiFi Calling uses your WiFi connection, not mobile data. However, data sent over WiFi (like WhatsApp calls) does not count as WiFi Calling and may still incur roaming charges if mobile data is enabled.
Data Roaming Settings
Managing your data roaming settings can help you avoid unexpected charges while abroad.
How to Turn Data Roaming On/Off
iPhone
- Go to Settings
- Tap Mobile Data or Cellular
- Tap Mobile Data Options
- Toggle Data Roaming on or off
Android
- Go to Settings
- Tap Network & Internet or Connections
- Tap Mobile Network
- Toggle Data Roaming on or off
Tips for Managing Data Abroad
- Download offline: Download maps, music, and videos before you travel
- Use WiFi: Connect to WiFi whenever available to save mobile data
- Disable auto-updates: Turn off app auto-updates and cloud backups
- Monitor usage: Check your data usage in the My O2 app regularly
- Use Low Data Mode: Enable this in your phone settings to reduce data usage
O2 Spend Cap: Set up a spending cap in the My O2 app to prevent unexpected charges from roaming. You can set it to £0 to block all out-of-bundle roaming charges.
Roaming FAQs
Do I need to do anything before travelling?
Will I be charged for receiving calls abroad?
What happens if I use all my data abroad?
Can I use my phone on a cruise ship?
Does O2 Travel Inclusive work for Pay As You Go?
More O2 Roaming Resources
If you need further assistance with O2 roaming:
- My O2 App: Check rates, add Travel Boosters, and monitor usage
- Call 202: Free from your O2 mobile before you travel
- Call +44 7860 090 202: From abroad (free from your O2 mobile)
- Visit o2.co.uk/travel: Full roaming information and destination checker
Sources & References
Written by Sarah Mitchell
Mobile & Broadband Specialist
Sarah has over 8 years of experience helping UK consumers navigate mobile and broadband issues. Previously worked in telecommunications customer service and now writes guides to help others avoid common pitfalls.
Last reviewed: January 2026