Using your phone abroad
This page explains how roaming works with Monzo Mobile: what's included in your plan, how to get roaming where it isn't, and how to keep track of what you use. It also covers how we make sure you're never charged more than you expect, and how to handle roaming near a border.
The short version: you'll never get a surprise bill. Roaming is either included in your plan or you buy an add-on before you travel. There are no per-minute, per-text or per-MB charges beyond what you've paid for.
How roaming works
You can use your phone in other countries in one of two ways:
Roaming included in your plan. The 30 GB plan and Unlimited plan come with a roaming allowance you can use in a set list of countries, on top of your UK data. You can see the list of included countries in each plan on our pricing page.
Roaming add-ons. For countries your plan doesn't cover, or if you want more than your included allowance, you can buy a roaming add-on in the Monzo app. Add-ons are available for a wide list of countries and regions.
The 10 GB plan doesn't include roaming. If you're on the 10 GB plan and you're travelling, upgrade your plan or buy a roaming add-on before or during your trip.
Your roaming allowance is separate from your UK data. Using data abroad doesn't eat into your UK allowance, and vice versa.
Any add-ons are active for 30 days since being activated or until your data allowance runs out; whichever comes first.
What's included when you roam
Where roaming is included in your plan, you get:
A roaming data allowance to use in the included countries.
An allowance for calls and texts while abroad.
How to buy a roaming add-on
Open the Monzo app.
Go to your Monzo Mobile plan.
Tap Buy roaming add-on, then choose the country or region you're travelling to.
Pick an add-on and confirm. We’ll take payment from your Monzo account immediately.
Your add-on will activate when you start using it. This will normally be on arrival in your destination, but if you already have included roaming in that country it will start once you use all of your included roaming allowance. You can buy another anytime if you run low.
Roaming charges and fair use
Here's what that means in practice:
If you have roaming included in your plan, you use it at no extra cost until the allowance runs out.
If you buy a roaming add-on, you pay the price shown before you buy it, and nothing more.
When your roaming allowance or add-on runs out, your data stops. You won't be charged. To keep going, buy a roaming add-on (or upgrade your plan) in the app.
Roaming allowances are there to be used while you're travelling, not as a permanent replacement for a local plan or for reselling. If you spend most of your time abroad rather than in the UK, we may get in touch about your usage.
How to check and control what you spend
Because you pay for your plan and add-ons upfront and can't be charged beyond them, controlling your roaming spend is straightforward: you only ever spend what you've chosen to buy.
See your usage anytime. Your data balance shows on your Monzo home screen and in your Monzo Mobile section — UK data, roaming allowance and any add-ons, updated as you use them.
We'll alert you as you get close. When you're roaming, we'll message you when you've used 80% and 100% of your roaming allowance or add-on, so you can decide whether to buy more.
Arriving in a new country. When your phone connects to a network abroad, we'll send you a message letting you know whether your plan covers roaming there, how much allowance you have, and what to do if you need more. You'll get this each time you arrive somewhere new.
Roaming near a border, and avoiding it by accident
Near a border, your phone can connect to a network in the neighbouring country without you realising, because that network's signal is stronger where you are. This is called inadvertent roaming, and it can happen at borders like Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland or France and Switzerland.
It won't cost you anything you haven't paid for. There are no out-of-bundle charges, so a brief connection across the border won't give you an unexpected bill. If that country isn't in your plan or add-on, your data just won't work there until you get roaming for it. You might see a roaming welcome message or use a bit of your allowance. Here's how to avoid that:
While you're in the UK
You can't run up roaming costs in the UK, since UK usage comes from your normal plan. But if you're near a border and want to stop your phone connecting across it, turn off data roaming in your phone's settings, so it only uses UK networks for data. Near a border this can sometimes mean losing service until you're back in stronger UK coverage.
While you're travelling
If you're abroad and want to limit what you use:
Turn data roaming off when you don't need it, and back on when you do.
Use Wi-Fi for data where you can.
Keep an eye on your usage in the app, and the alerts we send at 80% and 100%.
Need help? Chat to us in the Monzo app anytime.
