Mobile data in the UK after Brexit: what visitors from Europe need to know
Since the UK left the EU, the EU roaming rules no longer protect you there. Some European operators still include the UK in their Europe zone and others charge for it, and those conditions have changed several times since 2021.
See eSIMs for the UKIs roaming free in the UK?
Not by law any more. The EU "roam like at home" regulation covers EU and EEA countries, and the United Kingdom is neither. Whether you pay extra depends only on your operator and your specific plan: some include the UK as if it were the EU, some add a daily fee, and some charge per megabyte.
Before you travel, look for "United Kingdom" in your operator's roaming zones or ask them directly. Check that the offer is still valid on your travel dates, because several of these inclusions have been temporary.
eSIM for United Kingdom
Data on your phone the moment you land in United Kingdom. No account, no app, no shop.
Choose your data
For one to two weeks of maps, messaging and the odd video.
Buy up to 180 days before you fly: the plan only starts when the eSIM connects at your destination.
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Will it work on my phone?
On iPhone: Settings → General → About, and scroll to EID. If there is an EID, your phone takes eSIMs. Every iPhone from the XS (2018) onwards does.
On Android: Settings → About phone → Status, and look for EID. If there is an EID, your phone takes eSIMs. Most Galaxy S20, Pixel 3 and later do.
It also has to be carrier-unlocked. If you bought it outright or your contract is over, it almost certainly is.
And if it turns out yours cannot use it, write to us and you get every cent back.
Discount code
How it works
- 1Choose and payCard, Apple Pay or Google Pay. No account.
- 2Install it at homeThe QR arrives by email. Scan it on wifi in a minute.
- 3Connect when you landTurn on data roaming for the eSIM and you are online.
Three ways to have data in the UK
| Your plan in roaming | UK SIM card | Data eSIM (e.g. Snoozim) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Depends on your operator; can be free or expensive | Cheap, bought in a UK shop | Fixed price, paid in advance |
| Set-up | Nothing to do | Find a shop, swap the SIM | Install a QR before you fly |
| Your number | Kept | Replaced while the SIM is in | Kept for calls and SMS |
| Risk | Surprise bill if the UK is not included | Needs a free SIM slot or an unlocked phone | Needs an eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone |
Networks and coverage
Snoozim eSIMs for the UK use O2 (5G), EE (5G), 3 (4G). Coverage is strong in London and other cities and along motorways and main rail lines; it is patchier in the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia and rural Wales, so download offline maps for those areas.
Before you go: a short checklist
- Check whether your operator charges for the UK, and on which dates.
- Since April 2025 most European visitors need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to enter the UK. Apply on the official GOV.UK site.
- UK sockets are type G: bring an adapter for your charger.
- Contactless card payment works almost everywhere, including London buses and the Tube.
Prices for the UK
Data eSIMs for the United Kingdom: 3 GB for 4,49 €, 5 GB for 6,79 €, 10 GB for 11,79 € and 20 GB for 17,29 €. The plan starts when your phone first connects in the UK, not when you buy it. If you continue to the continent, a Europe eSIM covers the UK too.
Do EU phone plans roam for free in the UK?
Not automatically. After Brexit the EU roaming rules do not apply to the UK, so it depends on your operator and plan. Check your operator's roaming zones before travelling.
Do I need to show ID to use an eSIM in the UK?
No. A data eSIM bought online only needs an email address to receive the QR code.
Does the eSIM give me a UK phone number?
No, it is data only. Your own line keeps working for calls and SMS if you leave it on, and apps like WhatsApp keep your usual number.
When should I install the eSIM?
At home, with Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly. It stays inactive until your phone connects in the UK.
Get your eSIM before you fly: the QR arrives by email in minutes and the plan only starts when you connect at your destination.
See eSIMs for the UK