Posted 4th Jun 2023
I spend the winters travelling through France Spain and Portugal in a motorhome from October through to May seeking the winter sun. A few years ago there was no limits or problems with using a UK SIM whilst abroad. Brexit changed this and last winter I used 1pmobile for calls and texts and Three internet with legs 24gb SIM that last up to 2 years as data in my phone ( as I only use a couple of gig a month) and various local Sims for internet in my 5g router kept in the motorhome (around 40gig a month on average)
I understand that the big four operators limit usage abroad to 60 days before they charge additional fees or limit or suspend the SIM. But the MVNOs seem to be a little bit more flexible with regard to long-term usage abroad.
So I havea at least three Sims on the go all the time and on returning to the UK have to get new Sims for data in my phone and router. I really would like to make this simpler by using UK Sims all year round and for the advantage of being able to access UK TV etc without jumping through hoops.
Can anyone with direct experience of holidaying in Europe for more than three months at a time tell me which UK SIM they have used without issue.
I have just started using Lebara and would be particularly interested if anyone has experience of this sim for long term roaming.
I don't need to know who allows roaming per se but rather who allows roaming for extended periods
Also I am an Irish passport holder so am not subject to the 90/180 Schengen rule before people mention that limit.
I understand that the big four operators limit usage abroad to 60 days before they charge additional fees or limit or suspend the SIM. But the MVNOs seem to be a little bit more flexible with regard to long-term usage abroad.
So I havea at least three Sims on the go all the time and on returning to the UK have to get new Sims for data in my phone and router. I really would like to make this simpler by using UK Sims all year round and for the advantage of being able to access UK TV etc without jumping through hoops.
Can anyone with direct experience of holidaying in Europe for more than three months at a time tell me which UK SIM they have used without issue.
I have just started using Lebara and would be particularly interested if anyone has experience of this sim for long term roaming.
I don't need to know who allows roaming per se but rather who allows roaming for extended periods
Also I am an Irish passport holder so am not subject to the 90/180 Schengen rule before people mention that limit.
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sorted byPopit is EE White label. They have a 6 month per year limit for persistent roaming before you’re cut off. (edited)
My ex was able to use my contract in Europe for about 18 months. It only ended because I realised I could get something better for my needs, and £10 per month was too expensive, otherwise it would still be going.
I know its the opposite to what you asked but when I was in Lanzarote I got a Lobster Mobile Sim.
It's a pay monthly Sim aimed at Expats with English Customer Service they had great plans and because you are in the EU all data and Calling etc would have no restrictions.
It works when you are back in the UK and when you don't need to use the Sim you can "park" it for up to 1 year and just re-start it again when ever needed.
I have a pay monthly contract with them that's never charged for, nor limited the use of extended roaming.
1pmobile.com/1ye…SIM
Are there some limits for using this abroad permanently? I didn't see any....
I also have a PAYG eSIM through Lycamobile:
lycamobile.co.uk/en/…im/
Wasn't aware of any time limits for using abroad either.
As part of our fair use policy, we may monitor and check your roaming use over a rolling 4-month period. If, during this period, you have spent more time abroad than at home and/or your roaming usage exceeds your domestic usage we reserve the right to apply a surcharge of £1.00 per day to your roaming consumption. This surcharge will be taken from your credit balance on a daily basis.
1pmobile.com/int…taf