Telephoning and Internet abroad
Within the EU
Within the EU, you can use your mobile phone tariff as you would at home.
The Roam like at home principle only applies in the current 28 countries of the European Union as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland is not included. If you make calls there or surf the web using your mobile data connection, you will have to pay more money than in your home country.
Price cap outside the EU
A worldwide price cap applies to mobile Internet. It is standard at € 59,50. If this amount is reached, the mobile Internet connection should be disconnected.
Cost traps on ships and in airplanes
Smartphones can log into the satellite network on board ships and in airplanes. One megabyte costs up to € 30 here. Be sure to switch your smartphone or tablet to flight mode. Because if you're not careful, you'll quickly accumulate a mountain of costs - not only when using the Internet. There is no price cap here.
Data roaming and mailbox as cost traps
The smartphone can also generate considerable costs in your pocket: for example by updating apps or downloading e-mails. If you want to prevent this, you should set the device before you travel so that it does not automatically download data via mobile networks, but only when prompted.
Data roaming and mailbox as cost traps
Smartphones can also generate considerable costs in your pocket: for example by updating apps or downloading e-mails. If you want to prevent this, you should set the device before you travel so that it does not automatically download data via mobile networks, but only when prompted.
Probably the biggest cost trap when staying outside the EU is the mailbox. The called party has to pay for the connections abroad and the forwarding to the mailbox. It is therefore advisable to deactivate call forwarding to the mailbox.
Outside the EU
Making calls from abroad to Germany can be very expensive. In addition, it is not possible in all countries to purchase a SIM card for making phone calls as a foreigner without a long-term residence permit. One option is to buy a SIM card for Internet use and then make calls via Skype or Google Hangouts.
Making calls via Messenger
Alternatively, calls can also be made via Messenger such as WhatsApp using WhatsApp Call if the other party also uses the same Messenger and if a free Wi-Fi connection is available.
Apps
So that you can make calls worldwide, you can also use apps like Satellite. With Satellite, you always have the same phone number, regardless of the SIM card you are currently using.
Book data passes
If checking your e-mails or searching the Internet becomes too expensive, you can book so-called data passes with various providers. These are booked temporarily and then offer the use of a limited data volume for a certain period of time. For example, you can purchase data passes for a day or a week with volumes of 50 MB to 1 GB and use them abroad.
Offers and detailed instructions on how to purchase and activate data passes are available from your provider. Please note that these only apply to contract customers, prepaid customers use a different procedure. Links directly to the most important providers can be found here: