Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – British holidaymakers and business travelers are hitting out at the reintroduction of mobile roaming charges across Europe, blaming Brexit for what they see as an unfair financial burden. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, UK mobile operators have brought back roaming fees that were once abolished under EU regulations, sparking widespread frustration among consumers.
The Return of Roaming Charges
Since January 2021, UK mobile networks are no longer bound by the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” rules, which allowed UK citizens to use their mobile phones across Europe without incurring additional charges. Now, with Brexit complete, major operators such as EE, Vodafone, and Three have quietly reinstated fees for customers traveling in the EU.
Many UK travelers, who had grown accustomed to using their mobile data, making calls, and sending texts in Europe for free, are now being charged up to £6 a day to access these services. Consumers have not held back their criticism, with some calling the charges an “outrageous step backward” and others accusing mobile companies of using Brexit as an excuse to squeeze extra cash out of their customers.
“It’s a Rip-Off”: Consumer Anger Grows
The reintroduction of roaming fees has sparked anger among UK citizens, many of whom feel they are paying the price for decisions beyond their control. “It’s a complete rip-off,” said Andrew Davies, a frequent traveler to Spain for work. “Brexit was supposed to bring control back to the UK, but all I’m seeing is more costs for me personally. These charges make travel more expensive at a time when we’re already dealing with a cost-of-living crisis.”
Davies’ sentiment is echoed by thousands of other Britons who have taken to social media to voice their discontent. Many have labeled the charges as “unacceptable” and have called on the government to do more to protect consumers in the wake of Brexit. “We were promised Brexit would make life better, but now I’m paying £2 a day just to check my emails while on holiday,” one user tweeted, adding, “It feels like we’ve been conned.”
Broken Promises from Mobile Providers
Mobile operators initially promised that roaming charges would not return after Brexit. However, by late 2021, most major networks reneged on their promises, citing increased costs from European networks and the absence of a regulatory framework to prevent the fees. For many consumers, this felt like a breach of trust.
“Vodafone and EE said they wouldn’t bring back roaming fees, but now here we are,” said Sarah King, who travels to France regularly to visit family. “I trusted them, and they’ve let us down. This just feels like companies using Brexit as an excuse to charge us more.”
Operators such as EE now charge £2 per day to use data and make calls in Europe, while Vodafone customers face similar fees unless they purchase roaming passes. Meanwhile, Three, once a favorite among frequent travelers for its free “Go Roam” service, has also reintroduced charges for those traveling to Europe.
A Step Backward for Consumer Rights
Consumer advocacy groups are also piling on the criticism, calling the return of roaming charges a significant blow to consumer rights post-Brexit. “This is a direct result of Brexit, and British travelers are paying the price,” said a spokesperson for Which?, the UK’s largest consumer organization. “When we were part of the EU, we had strong protections that ensured fair pricing and transparency when it came to roaming. Now, without that safety net, operators are free to reintroduce these charges, and consumers are left worse off.”
Which? has called on mobile operators to introduce fairer pricing structures for roaming and is urging the government to strike new agreements with the EU that could lead to the reintroduction of caps on roaming fees, similar to those enjoyed by EU citizens.
“British travelers are at a real disadvantage here,” said Richard Barker, a telecommunications expert. “While EU citizens can travel between member states without worrying about extra mobile charges, UK citizens are back to the bad old days of exorbitant fees. It’s a prime example of how Brexit has led to a tangible loss of benefits.”
Businesses Also Feeling the Pinch
It’s not just individual consumers who are feeling the impact. UK businesses that operate across Europe are also grappling with higher costs. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where employees often travel abroad for work, the return of roaming charges has added a new layer of expense.
“A lot of businesses, particularly SMEs, are getting hammered by these charges,” said Julia MacGregor, who runs a marketing consultancy in London. “We send staff to Europe frequently, and now we’re paying hundreds more per trip just in mobile charges. That’s money we could be reinvesting in our business. Brexit has made cross-border operations far more costly.”
Government Under Pressure to Act
The backlash has prompted calls for the UK government to intervene. Some MPs have raised concerns about the negative impact on both consumers and businesses, with several urging the government to negotiate a deal with the EU to reinstate free roaming.
Labour MP Angela Rayner recently described the charges as “a Brexit failure,” saying, “The government sold Brexit on the idea that it would make the UK more competitive, but instead we’re seeing ordinary people and businesses hit with extra costs. They need to get back to the negotiating table and ensure that British citizens are not treated as second-class travelers in Europe.”
The government has yet to announce any plans to address the issue, with ministers stating that roaming fees are a matter for private companies. However, consumer groups are ramping up pressure, arguing that without intervention, UK citizens will continue to lose out on benefits they once took for granted.
What’s Next for UK Travelers?
For now, UK travelers face the reality that roaming charges are here to stay. Mobile operators show no signs of reversing the fees, and without regulatory intervention, costs could continue to rise. Some savvy consumers have already started seeking alternatives, such as purchasing local SIM cards in European countries or relying more heavily on Wi-Fi.
As the post-Brexit landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the return of roaming charges has struck a nerve with UK citizens, symbolizing the broader frustrations many feel about the promises of Brexit versus its reality. And while the government remains silent on the issue, public anger over rising costs is unlikely to subside anytime soon.
The return of roaming charges is not just a minor inconvenience for UK travelers; for many, it represents a deeper dissatisfaction with the effects of Brexit. As costs rise and freedoms diminish, the public is left questioning whether the promises of Brexit have delivered the benefits they were told to expect.
