Roaming Across Europe

Thanks to new European Union regulations, using your cell phone during international travel (at least in the 27 member countries of the EU) should now be cheaper than it was last month. On June 30, a new Eurotarrif took effect to help combat what regulators considered “excessive roaming charges.” There will now be a new maximum rate for outgoing and incoming calls (depending on the exchange rate, approximately $0.70/minute outbound and $0.32/minute inbound), meaning European carriers are expected to establish competitive rates below that standardized cap. In some countries, this is expected to slash roaming charges by up to 70%.

In addition, the EU’s website includes a section on advice before traveling. If you’re planning an overseas trip, be sure to read up on Europe’s roaming charges before you go; it’ll help you avoid the sticker shock when you open your cell phone bill upon returning home.