For some time after Brexit, Tesco Mobile customers could still use their monthly data, calls and texts allowance for no extra charge throughout the EU, as well as countries that are a 'Home From Home' destination.
However, as of the 1 January 2023, it will start charging an additional cost for roaming in 48 European and 'Home from Home' destinations. Which means if you joined or re-contracted with Tesco from the 16 June 2022 or onwards, you'll receive a roaming charge when abroad from the start of next year.
The charges will be on a pay-as-you-go basis, with different set amounts required to pay for mobile data, calls and texts.
Tesco Mobile destinations with 2023 roaming charges
- Austria
- Azores
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canary Islands
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- French Guyana
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Guadeloupe
- Guernsey
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland (Republic of)
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madeira
- Malta
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Reunion
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- St. Martin
- St. Barts
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
Tesco Mobile roaming charges after Brexit
While the UK was part of the EU, mobile networks were banned from charging UK customers for roaming in other EU countries. However, now the UK has left the bloc, there is no law stopping them from doing so.
For several years while the UK was transitioning out of the EU, most mobile networks continued not to charge for roaming — and the pandemic delayed their plans for it too. But as of 2022, networks are now officially introducing them for UK customers who use their mobiles in EU countries.
What are the roaming charges for Tesco in 2022?
For the rest of 2022, Tesco won't have roaming charges for 48 European and 'Home from Home' destinations. However, these locations (listed above) will start to incur a roaming charge from the 1st January 2023, if you joined Tesco Mobile or upgraded with it on or after the 16th June 2022.
Destinations outside of the selected 48 already incur roaming costs, and they are split into four regions depending on the amount they charge. FInd out more about Tesco's four roaming regions below.
Tesco Mobile international roaming charges for pay as you go customers
Pay as you go customers can still use their mobile phones internationally, with different call and data charges depending on where you're travelling to.
Region 1
| Region 1 | Cost per min/text |
|---|---|
| Calls to UK and region 1 | In bundle or 25p/min |
| Calls to region 2 | 59p/min |
| Calls to region 3 | 69p/min |
| Calls to region 4 | £1.49/min |
| Receiving Calls | FREE |
| Texts to UK & region 1 | In bundle or 10p/text |
| Texts to region 2, 3 and 4 | 20p/text |
| Data | In bundle or 10p/MB |
Region 2
| Region 2 | Cost per min/text |
|---|---|
| Calls to UK and region 1 | 69p |
| Calls to region 2 | 79p |
| Calls to region 3 | 89p |
| Calls to region 4 | 1.49 |
| Receiving Calls | 69p |
| Texts to all regions | 40p |
| Data | £5/MB |
Region 3
| Region 3 | Cost per min/text |
|---|---|
| Calls to UK and region 1 | 89p |
| Calls to region 2 | 99p |
| Calls to region 3 | 1.29 |
| Calls to region 4 | 1.49 |
| Receiving Calls | 89p |
| Texts to all regions | 40p |
| Data | £5/MB |
Region 4
| Region 4 | Cost per min/text |
|---|---|
| Calls to UK, region 1, 2, 3 & 4 | 1.49 |
| Receiving Calls | 1.49 |
| Texts to all regions | 40p |
| Data | £5/MB |
Which destinations offer free international roaming with Tesco Mobile?
If you joined or re-contracted with Tesco Mobile from the 16th June 2022 onwards, unfortunately you will be charged for roaming in countries outside the UK from the 1st January 2023.
However, if you're a Tesco Mobile customer and you started your current tariff before this date, you will be able to continue roaming in the 48 European and 'Home from Home' countries for free. So if you're likely to be using your phone abroad soon, it might make sense to hold on until you don't have any holidays planned to switch.
How do I activate international roaming on Tesco Mobile?
You can check if roaming is enabled on your phone by going into its settings.
- For iPhones: Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Switch on or off Data Roaming
- For Samsung phones: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Switch on or off Data Roaming
- For Google Pixels: Settings > Network and Internet > Internet > Tap 'Settings' next to your network > Switch on or off Roaming
For other smartphone brands, the route to find Roaming should be similar to the above process. So make sure to find your phone's Settings and find its Mobile Networks section.
Can you use your Tesco Mobile data abroad?
This depends on where you plan to visit, when you signed up to your Tesco Mobile tariff, and also when you're reading this.
Currently, if you visit either a European country or one of Tesco Mobile's 'Home from Home' locations, you won't be charged roaming fees. Instead you can use your normal mobile data allowance in the same way you would in the UK.
For countries outside of Europe or 'Home from Home', you will be moved onto temporary pay-as-you-go mobile data roaming charges for the duration of your visit to that country. This means you won't be on your usual mobile data allowance.
If your current Tesco Mobile tariff started on or after the 16th June 2022, you will start to receive roaming charges from the 1st January 2023 for using mobile data in all other countries, including Europe and 'Home from Home'. But if your tariff started before this date, you will still be able to use your regular mobile data allowance in those locations until you either switch or upgrade.
