I read your recent article on the EU’s roaming charges that effectively ended earlier this month. I have a question that I can’t seem to get an answer to: if I am in France or Germany and I use my UK mobile to call a landline number in another EU country, how will I be charged?
I’ve contacted my provider Tesco Mobile but it’s still not clear. NR, London
In the run up to the changes, which came into force on 15 June, it was hard to get clear information. Having contacted the big phone providers, including Tesco, this is the position: calling another country, either from home or while you are away, is not considered as roaming, and as such the EU’s “roam like at home” rules don’t apply. So, if you are using your UK mobile in France to call a German landline this is chargeable – 8p a min in your case. A call to a German number from a UK mobile whilst in the UK is similarly chargeable.
However, if you stay in France and call a local landline – say, a French restaurant – that is considered to be roaming and therefore costs the same as if you were at home, and can be made from any calls package.
The big mobile providers – including Tesco – have confirmed that calls to local landlines while roaming abroad are covered.
Also, a British mobile user holidaying in France could call their partner’s UK mobile in Germany, and as they are both roaming it would cost no more than if they were at home.
All clear now?
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