Last Updated: April 21, 2026
Looking for the best SIM only plans with EU roaming in 2026? The short version is this: do not assume your normal UK mobile plan includes Europe any more. Some networks still include EU roaming, some cap it, and others charge a daily fee that can quietly turn a cheap trip into an expensive one.
My quick pick
I use Lebara as my second SIM because it gives me cheap UK data, European roaming, international minutes, and a backup network when my main SIM has no signal. If you want the exact setup, read my Best Second SIM for iPhone UK guide.
I have used Lebara data abroad in France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and it has worked brilliantly for the things I actually need while travelling: maps, messages, bookings, email, travel apps and the odd bit of tethering. That real use is why Lebara sits high on my list.
Best SIM Only Plans with EU Roaming: Quick Comparison
The best option depends on how you travel. Someone doing a weekend in Spain needs a different setup from someone using a laptop hotspot across Europe for three weeks.
| Network | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Lebara | Cheap SIM only, EU roaming, international minutes, second SIM backup | Check the current fair use cap before travelling |
| SMARTY | Cheap data and simple rolling plans | EU roaming cap may be lower than heavy users need |
| iD Mobile | Strong roaming allowance and cheap SIM deals | Runs on Three, so check coverage where you live |
| giffgaff | O2 network and simple plans | Roaming data caps can be tight for longer trips |
| O2 | Main network option with Europe Zone roaming on many plans | Often costs more than budget MVNOs |
| Travel eSIM | One-off trip data in Europe | Usually data only and not useful at home after the trip |
Roaming terms change often, so treat any comparison as a starting point. Before buying, check the network's live plan page and fair use policy. A big UK data allowance does not always mean you can use the full amount abroad.
Why EU Roaming Still Matters in 2026
Since Brexit, UK networks have taken different routes with Europe roaming. Some still include it, some charge a daily fee, and some include it with strict fair use caps. The problem is that the extra cost often appears only when you travel.
If your network charges even a couple of pounds a day, a two week trip can add a meaningful cost to your bill. A cheap SIM only plan with EU roaming can be a much cleaner solution, especially if you travel more than once a year.
This is also why I like having a second SIM. It gives you options. My main SIM can stay active for calls and banking texts, while Lebara can handle data when I want the roaming value or when my main network is weak.
1. Lebara: Best for Cheap Roaming, International Calls and Backup Data
Lebara is my top pick for this particular use case because it does several jobs at once. It is cheap enough to keep as a second SIM, uses Vodafone's network in the UK, includes international minutes, and includes European roaming on eligible plans subject to the latest terms.
I use it as a second SIM in my iPhone. At home, it gives me backup data when my main SIM has poor signal. Abroad, it gives me a ready to go data line without buying a separate Europe travel eSIM. I have used it in France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal without issues.
- Best for: regular Europe travellers, second SIM users, international callers
- Network: Vodafone in the UK
- Travel angle: included roaming, subject to fair use
- Bonus: 50% off for 3 months with a referral link
Start with my Lebara referral code guide if you want the current 50% off offer, or read my practical Using Lebara in Europe article for the travel experience.
2. SMARTY: Good for Cheap Data and Short Europe Trips
SMARTY is often strong on simple, cheap data plans. It runs on Three, which can be excellent in some places and weaker in others, so coverage checking matters. For light to moderate Europe travel, SMARTY can be good value, especially if you want a low monthly price and do not need international calling minutes.
The main thing to watch is the roaming cap. If you mostly use maps, messages and browsing, you may be fine. If you hotspot a laptop or stream a lot, check the current roaming allowance carefully.
3. iD Mobile: Strong for Roaming Allowance on a Budget
iD Mobile is another strong cheap SIM only option and often appears in roaming comparisons because of its included roaming allowance. It also runs on Three, so the same coverage advice applies: check your home, work and travel locations before switching.
For people who want a single main SIM rather than a second SIM, iD can be worth comparing against Lebara. For my own use, I prefer Lebara because it gives me Vodafone network backup alongside my main SIM, plus international call value.
4. giffgaff: Simple O2 Network Option
giffgaff is popular because it is simple, flexible and uses O2's network. It can work well if O2 coverage is good where you live and you only need light roaming data in Europe.
The tradeoff is that roaming data caps can be tighter than some travellers expect. If you are going away for a week and mostly using maps and WhatsApp, fine. If you upload lots of photos, tether a laptop or use video calls, check before relying on it.
5. O2: Good Main Network Choice, But Often Pricier
O2 is one of the better-known main network options for Europe roaming. If you already have an O2 plan that includes Europe Zone roaming, you may not need a separate SIM at all.
The downside is price. Main network plans can cost more than budget SIM only providers. If your goal is pure value, a second SIM from a cheaper provider may make more sense than upgrading your main plan just for holiday roaming.
6. Travel eSIM: Good for One-Off Trips
A Europe travel eSIM can be excellent if you want a quick data package for one trip. Services like Airalo and similar providers are built around temporary travel data. You buy a package, install it, use it abroad, then forget about it.
The downside is that travel eSIMs are usually data only. You do not normally get the same UK number, UK use, international minutes or monthly backup SIM value. That is why I prefer Lebara for regular Europe travel: it earns its keep in the UK too.
What to Check Before Choosing a Roaming SIM
- Destination list: make sure the country you are visiting is included.
- Roaming data cap: check how much of your UK allowance can be used abroad.
- Fair use rules: long trips and heavy roaming can trigger limits.
- Network coverage at home: the SIM should be useful when you are not travelling too.
- Top-up options: make sure you can buy extra data from the app if needed.
- Contract length: rolling plans are easier if you only want flexibility.
If you want to save money on the payment side too, read my guide on how to avoid foreign transaction fees when travelling. Roaming charges and card fees are two of the easiest travel costs to reduce.
My Verdict: Which SIM Only Plan Is Best for EU Roaming?
For my own setup, I would choose Lebara. It is not just a holiday SIM. It gives me a second UK network, backup data, included European roaming, and a useful international calling package. That combination is more valuable than a one-off travel eSIM for the way I travel.
If you only travel once and need a short data-only package, a Europe travel eSIM may be enough. If you want something useful all year and abroad, Lebara is the one I would look at first.
Source note: roaming allowances, country lists and prices can change. Check each network's live terms before ordering or travelling.
I’m Steven, founder of MoneyAppReviews. I test money apps, referral programs, and EV tools in real life before I write about them. I drive a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, use Octopus Intelligent Go for home charging, and regularly track costs, savings, and app performance over time. I focus on practical, evidence-based reviews that help people decide what is actually worth using, not just what pays the highest commission.