Martin lewis issues warning to uk tourists taking a mobile phone abroad

THE MONEY SAVVY EXPERT HAS ISSUED GUIDANCE OVER THE BEST WAY TO SAVE MONEY ON MOBILE PHONE COSTS WHILE ABROAD THIS SUMMER 11:36, 21 May 2025 Martin Lewis has issued guidance over how to save

your pennies while using your phone on holiday this year. The MoneySavingExpert offered some food for thought in his latest money saving guide, urging holidaymakers to think about EU

roaming this summer. He explained many large phone networks no longer have free EU roaming, pinpointing Vodaphone, Three and EE as just a few. Mr Lewis said all these providers now charge

around £2 per day to use your mobile package in the EU, with the only exception to the rule appearing to be O2. He stated: "O2 is the only 'big four' network to still be

free." READ MORE: MARTIN LEWIS WARNS 'READ BETWEEN THE LINES' AND ISSUES CASH ISA WARNING The specialist added many "piggyback operators" such as Lebara, Smarty and

Giffgaff, often have free EU roaming as part of some of their packages. One option Mr Lewis offered tourists was an iD Mobile (via Three) pay monthly, which is priced at £3 per month for

40GB for (max 30GB abroad). He continued: "With 14m of you out of contract, free to switch and often already massively overpaying, why not ditch and switch to save in the UK and in the

EU?" However, the expert warned it may be helpful to put a spend cap on you phone when you go abroad to avoid any nasty bill surprises when you get home. Other alternatives to get

around the mobile data problem as suggested by the money specialist was looking into an eSIM. He said by purchasing an international eSIM you can often save a lot of money while overseas,

but warned prices can depend on your destination and the length of the trip. Mr Lewis added: "ROAMING OUTSIDE THE EU. There's an eSIMple way to cut costs. Your home network will

charge up to £15/day for very limited data via a costly add-on - just watching TV can cost a fortune. "Instead buy cheap international eSims online (eg, £9 for 9GB USA data that lasts

30 days), which adjusts your phone's settings and temporarily routes it via another provider so it provides your data allowance overseas. READ MORE: MARTIN LEWIS ISSUES JUNE WARNING TO

NATIONWIDE, LLOYDS AND NATWEST CUSTOMERS "Prices differ based on your destination and the length of your trip, so as with most purchases, it's wise to compare a few providers to

find the best eSim for your needs." He listed a choice of operators including: * Airalo* * Breeze* * EasySim* * Firsty* * GoMoWorld * Holafly * Nomad * Saily* Article continues below Mr

Lewis did add feedback on some of these firms were limited, so he couldn't fully "vouch for how good the coverage or the speeds are." However, he urged individuals to not be

put off by this as "many people rave about eSims," including himself.