Almost 15 euros for 1 MB if you forget to turn off mobile data: this way you don’t pay too much for calling and surfing while traveling | MyGuide

Since 2017, roaming charges have been a thing of the past and traveling within the European Union has become a lot easier. Since then you can call, text and surf on your mobile as you would in Belgium, without any extra costs. When you cross the border into another EU country, your operator always sends a text message stating that you will not pay anything extra.

That’s easy, of course. However, because of this convenience we are sometimes in danger of forgetting that roaming does cost money once you are outside the EU. Switzerland is a painful example of this. You don’t even have to cross the border with Switzerland: even if you are still in France, but your device already connects to a mast just across the border, on Swiss territory, then you are stuck with it.

How much you pay outside the EU to call, text and surf depends on your subscription formula: Check the cheapest options for roaming here.

Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU, but you are exempt from roaming charges in the country and can therefore go shopping for Christmas without any worries. The same applies to Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Andorra, Gibraltar and Monaco.

It’s a very different story in Switzerland, which is among the countries with the highest roaming charges. As a Proximus customer, for example, you pay 14.52 euros per MB of mobile data and 3 euros per calling minute. For those who want to go to the sun this spring: we see the same rates in Morocco, Turkey and Egypt. However, they may differ depending on your operator. For example, Orange customers in Switzerland pay 12 euros per MB and 2.40 euros per calling minute.

Depending on the roaming rates in the country outside the EU, the costs can quickly increase. Fortunately, your provider is obliged to block your data usage when your bill is close to 60.50 euros. This cannot increase further unless you unblock your provider.

But how does that 60.50 euros translate into telephone calls and mobile surfing? You can call for longer than twenty minutes. Suppose you are a Proximus customer and therefore pay 14.52 euros per MB in Switzerland, Morocco, Turkey or Egypt, then you can use just 4 MB of mobile data in those countries before the blocking puts a stop to it.

4 MB corresponds to about 2.5 minutes of scrolling on Facebook or Instagram. On WhatsApp you can send and receive up to 400 messages or make one-minute video calls. However, you will always use 4 MB faster than you think. When you turn on your mobile data, a whole bunch of messages always arrive first, like your email. Charging it immediately uses mobile data.

Are you traveling by car? Avoid heavy fines for navigation systems abroad.

There are two ways you can avoid a sky-high bill when you travel outside the EU: purchase a local SIM card so that you pay the local rates, or buy a roaming pass from your provider to call and surf at an affordable price. Such a roaming pass is especially useful for making calls. For example, Orange’s Best Destination Plus Pass costs 20 euros for a thousand calling minutes, but only includes 1 GB of mobile data. So you won’t be able to surf to your heart’s content.

Proximus uses a different concept. The Daily Roaming Pass ensures that you can use abroad what is included in your bundle in Belgium. The pass is valid for 24 hours and activates itself automatically when you turn on your mobile data or receive a call. Its price varies depending on your destination. For popular countries the pass costs 5.95 euros, for less popular destinations you pay 11.95 euros.

But the rule remains: check carefully for each country what roaming rates are available, how much a roaming pass costs from your provider and what it offers you in terms of calling minutes and mobile data. In some cases it is cheaper to purchase a SIM card locally. Cuba is a good example of this.

Read more on Independer.be:

When traveling: can you save money by pausing your telecom at home in the meantime?

Are internet subscriptions more expensive in Belgium than in our neighboring countries?

From 1 KB for a WhatsApp message to 1 GB for an hour of YouTube: that’s how much mobile data you really need every month

This article was brought to you by our partner Independer.be.
Independer.be is an independent comparator that helps you compare and take out insurance, telecom packages and other fixed costs.

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