June 2026
After Brexit, UK travellers lost the right to free EU roaming that came with EU membership. UK networks now apply roaming charges when you use your phone in Europe — and those charges can be significant.
The major UK networks — EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 — all offer European roaming as an add-on, typically charged at £2-£5 per day or as a monthly bolt-on. For a two-week holiday, that can add £30-£70 to your bill before you have made a single call.
A travel SIM sidesteps this entirely. You use a different SIM while abroad and keep your UK number available for calls via voicemail forwarding or a simultaneous eSIM.
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. Rather than inserting a physical card, you scan a QR code or tap a link to activate it. The process takes about five minutes.
The key advantage of an eSIM is that you can run it alongside your regular UK SIM. Your UK number stays active for incoming calls and texts, while the travel eSIM handles calls, data and messages at local rates. You do not have to choose one or the other.
Most iPhones made since 2018 (iPhone XS and later) support eSIM. Most modern Android phones also support it, though some budget models and certain variants do not. Check your phone's settings under Mobile Data or SIM & Network to confirm.
If your phone does not support eSIM, a physical travel SIM card is the alternative. You swap out your UK SIM before you travel and swap back on return.
WorldSIM has been operating since 2007 and is used by over 5 million travellers worldwide. They offer both eSIM and physical SIM options, covering 195+ countries.
Their eSIM Pro plan includes a UK (+44) and USA (+1) number alongside data, so you can keep a UK number active while travelling. Incoming calls are free in 100+ countries, which removes the anxiety of receiving calls from home while abroad.
For data-only travellers, their eSIM Connect plan covers 100+ countries with fast 5G where available and instant digital activation.
For those on older phones without eSIM support, their physical UK SIM Card provides a UK number that works internationally, with lifetime validity and pay-as-you-go top-ups.
Compare WorldSIM travel SIM deals →
If you just need data — an eSIM data plan is the simplest option. No calls or SMS, but WhatsApp and other messaging apps work over data. This is sufficient for most holiday use.
If you need a local number — the WorldSIM eSIM Pro or UK SIM Card provides a UK number that works internationally, meaning contacts at home can reach you on a familiar number.
If your phone does not support eSIM — a physical SIM card is your only option. Order before you travel so it arrives in time.
If you travel frequently — a pay-as-you-go plan with lifetime validity (like WorldSIM's UK SIM) makes more sense than buying a new eSIM for every trip.
Buying a local SIM in the country you are visiting is often the cheapest option for data — particularly in countries like Spain, Italy, France and Greece where prepaid SIMs are widely available at supermarkets and convenience stores for a few euros.
The downsides are that you lose your UK number while the local SIM is in use, the top-up process can be frustrating in a foreign language, and it takes time on arrival that you could spend elsewhere.
For trips shorter than a week, a travel SIM is usually more convenient. For longer trips or frequent travellers to specific countries, local SIMs can be worth the hassle.
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