Roaming, internet, calls: everything you need to know to use O2 abroad

Q: What happens if I run out of data abroad?

If you run out of credit, or have exceeded 25GB from your plan, don’t worry. You can buy a data bolt-on within your O2 app .

Planning a trip abroad and wondering how your O2 data will work while you’re away? Understanding what’s included with your plan before you travel means you can stay connected without any sneaky charges or stress. Read on and discover everything you need to know about using O2 overseas.

Summary

Whether you need your phone to check for directions, use translation apps, or simply stay in touch with friends and family, using it overseas doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we’ll explain how O2 roaming works abroad, if you can use your UK data plan while travelling, and how to make calls. We’ll also share some useful troubleshooting tips in case you have any issues.

What you’ll learn

What O2 roaming actually means.
How to check if your current O2 plan can be used abroad.
Where you can use O2 data abroad and what the costs are.
How O2 calling abroad works.
Quick tips to avoid surprise roaming charges.
What to do if your phone isn’t working abroad.

What is O2 international roaming?

International roaming simply means using your phone’s services when you’re travelling outside of the UK (or wherever you live). If you’re an O2 customer, your O2 SIM will connect to a local network of the country you’re visiting. This means you’ll be able to use mobile data, make calls and send text messages, even though you’re not at home. However, how much you’ll pay depends on your O2 plan and the destination you’re heading to. Some destinations will be covered under your plan, whereas others will incur additional charges.

How to check if your plan includes O2 roaming abroad

You can check if your O2 plan includes data roaming before you travel.Do this by:

Logging in to your My O2 app or account via the website.
Checking your plan details and seeing what’s covered online.
Reviewing bolt-ons or travel add-ons.

Do bear in mind that Pay As You Go customers and Pay Monthly customers may have different roaming inclusions, so it’s always best to check to view your individual allowance.

O2 Data abroad and roaming zones explained

To make things simple, O2 divides countries into different roaming zones – this determines how you’ll be able to use your data, calls and texts, and if you’ll be charged. Find out more about the different roaming zones in the table below:

Roaming zone	Where it applies	What’s included	Things to know
Europe Zone	Over 40 European destinations including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, and more	Use your UK minutes, texts, and data while abroad	You can use your plan just like you would at home. If your UK data allowance is higher than 25GB, you’ll be able to use up to 25GB while roaming
Travel Inclusive Zone	Selected destinations outside Europe (varies by plan or bolt-on)	Data, calls, and texts are included when you add a Travel Inclusive bolt-on	A good option if you’re travelling further afield. It’s worth double-checking your destination is included before you go
Outside included zones	Countries not covered by Europe or Travel Inclusive zones	Pay As You Go roaming rates apply	Roaming can be more expensive here, so checking costs in advance or buying a bolt-on will avoid extra charges

You can easily check which zone the country you’re visiting comes under by using O2’s destination guide.

How to turn O2 roaming on and off

To use your phone abroad, you will need to switch roaming on under your phone’s settings (you can also switch roaming off here, too). You can normally do this by going to Mobile Data or Network Settings.If you’d prefer not to use data while abroad, you can:

Turn roaming off completely.
Use trusted Wi-Fi where available, like at your hotel or resort.
Enable airplane mode and manually switch Wi-Fi back on.

You're in total control of your phone's connectivity when you travel abroad, so you’ll just need to decide whether you want to switch roaming on or off.

O2 calling abroad: calls to landlines or mobile phones

If you’re planning on using your phone for O2 calling abroad, charges will vary and depend on the country you’re calling and where you’ll be calling from. O2 Big Bundle customers will be able to use their call allowance inside the Europe Zone for no extra charge. O2 Pay As You Go customers will be charged the same to make calls in the Europe Zone, as they would the UK.If you’re travelling outside of the Europe Zone, you will be charged O2’s standard roaming rate for calls and data. It’s always best to check O2’s destination guide and Pay As You Go roaming rates before you set off.

How to avoid extra charges when using O2 abroad

Check your allowance before you set off, so you can use your phone with confidence.
Connect to trusted Wi-Fi sources at your hotel or accommodation and only use your data when you’re out and about.
Use the O2 app to keep on top of your usage while away.
Switch off background app updates.
Download maps, music, videos or movies before travelling.
Set a spending cap in your O2 account so you’re never caught out.

Having issues with O2 abroad?

If your phone isn’t working overseas, try the following:

Restart your device.
Double-check that roaming is enabled.
Manually select a local network.
Ensure that your phone is unlocked and compatible.

If problems continue, we’d recommend reaching out to O2 customer support who can help get things sorted. The best way to do this abroad is to connect to a trusted Wi-Fi source and speak to them online via Live Chat.

Need a quick O2 top-up?

If you need an O2 top-up fast, head over to MobileTopUp. We make it easy to add funds to your phone, so you can pay for your next Big Bundle plan or pay for O2 Travel Bolt-ons while abroad. Top-ups start from just £10 and you’ll receive your code instantly via email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is roaming abroad free with O2?

If you have a Big Bundle plan with O2, you’ll be able to use up to 25GB (depending on your allowance) for no extra charge in O2’s Europe Zone (over 40 destinations). If you’re travelling outside of the Europe Zone, you will need to check the specific country you’re travelling to for up-to-date costs. The best way to do this is by visiting O2’s website and using their destination checker.

O2 travel abroad: how do I know if roaming is activated?

You’ll know that roaming is activated by checking your phone settings and seeing that roaming is enabled. Also, keep your eyes peeled for text messages from O2 confirming your roaming allowance or providing links for Travel Bolt-on purchases.

What happens if I run out of data abroad?

If you run out of credit, or have exceeded 25GB from your plan, don’t worry. You can buy a data bolt-on within your O2 app.

Does Pay As You Go work abroad?

Yes, O2 Pay As You Go does work abroad, but you’ll need sufficient credit to do so. If you’re travelling to the Europe Zone, you’ll be charged the same as you would in the UK to call, text and use data. It’s a good idea to buy specific Travel Bolt-ons beforehand to avoid whizzing through your credit.

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