Traveling to Europe without international SIM card hassles: Holafly offers eSIM to dodge roaming expenses
In the digital age, travel has become more connected than ever before, and the UK is no exception. However, since Brexit, the roaming charge policies for UK travellers visiting the EU have undergone significant changes.
As of 2022, the UK is no longer part of the EU roaming regulations, meaning UK mobile users do not automatically have free roaming in EU countries. Major UK networks like Vodafone, EE, and Three have reintroduced daily roaming charges for the EU, while O2 is currently the only major network that still includes EU roaming in its standard data and call packages without additional daily fees, albeit with data limits and potential additional charges for overages.
For instance, Vodafone charges £2.25 per day for EU roaming with pay monthly plans, whereas pay-as-you-go customers need to purchase roaming bundles. Three and some smaller providers may offer capped data limits with no daily fees but have per-GB charges beyond those limits.
To avoid these charges, an alternative solution is using an eSIM, a digital SIM card that allows a phone to connect to an internet provider without a physical SIM card. One such provider is Holafly, which offers eSIMs for various destinations, including Europe.
To get an eSIM for travel to Europe, one should first check if their phone can accept an eSIM. The eSIM is more environmentally friendly as it does not require packaging or physical SIM cards. Moreover, it allows you to retain your old number, making it easy to be contacted.
The cost of an eSIM depends on the package chosen and the destination. Most packages offer unlimited data with fair use rules. For example, a Holafly Europe eSIM package can be purchased based on the number of days and amount of data, with a 5% discount using the code DANFLYINGSOLO.
In summary, UK travellers to the EU since 2022 must check with their mobile provider before travelling, as most major UK providers now charge daily fees or require roaming add-ons for EU usage. An eSIM, like Holafly, offers a solution to this problem, allowing you to stay connected to the internet without incurring roaming charges. It is an especially attractive option for countries outside the EU where roaming prices are not fair. However, it's essential to consider the potential disadvantages, such as the inability to receive calls or texts, inability to be used as a hotspot, compatibility issues with older phones, and potential expense compared to local SIM cards in some destinations.
In the realm of the digital lifestyle, smartphones and gadgets have become indispensable travel companions for many, especially in the UK. To circumvent potential mobile roaming charges while traveling EU countries post-Brexit, one might opt for using a tech solution like an eSIM, such as Holafly, which permits uninterrupted smartphone connectivity without the burden of excessive roaming costs.
