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The best SIM cards for international calls and EU roaming from the UK. Compare deals with minutes to 50 or more countries, flexible contracts, and no nasty roaming surprises.
For international calls, Lebara is the standout choice. Their plans include minutes to 50 or more countries as standard, with the Unlimited Plus plan giving you unlimited international calls at £27 per month on a 12-month contract. For EU roaming, check that your chosen plan explicitly includes it before you travel, as not all UK networks offer this since Brexit.
Best international SIM deals right now
Lebara Unlimited Data (12 month)
Lebara Unlimited Plus (30 day)
Lebara 100GB (12 month)
giffgaff 75GB (30 day)
Countries included with Lebara
International minutes included on Lebara plans
The exact number of minutes to each country varies by plan. The Unlimited Plus plan includes unlimited minutes to all 50 or more destinations. The standard Unlimited plan includes 100 international minutes. The 100GB plan includes unlimited international minutes as standard. Always confirm the specific countries and minute allowances on the Lebara site before signing up.
EU roaming after Brexit, what you need to know
Before 2021, all UK networks had to offer free roaming across EU countries under EU law. That requirement ended when the UK left the EU. Since then, networks have been free to charge for EU roaming again, and several have reintroduced roaming fees for customers on cheaper plans.
The situation varies by provider. Some still include EU roaming on all plans. Others include it only on higher tier plans. Some charge a daily fee of £1 to £2 per day when you use your phone in Europe. The key thing is to check before you travel, not after your bill arrives.
giffgaff on O2 still includes roaming in EU destinations on their standard plans, which makes their 30-day rolling plans a strong option if you travel to Europe regularly. For calls back to family in other parts of the world, Lebara is the clear winner with the most competitive international minute rates of any budget network.
UK SIM vs local SIM when travelling
For short trips of a week or two in Europe, a UK SIM with included EU roaming is usually the most convenient option. You keep your number, your contacts can still reach you, and there is nothing to set up when you land.
For longer stays or frequent trips to the same country, a local SIM often works out cheaper for data. But you lose your UK number while using it, which is worth considering if you need to be reachable. Some people carry two phones or use an eSIM for exactly this reason. See our full SIM comparison for more options.
| Provider | Intl minutes | EU roaming | No contract | Price/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebara Unlimited Plus 12M | Unlimited | Check site | No (12M) | £27.00 |
| Lebara Unlimited 12M | 100 mins | Check site | No (12M) | £22.50 |
| Lebara Unlimited Plus 30D | Unlimited | Check site | Yes | £30.00 |
| Lebara 100GB 12M | Unlimited | Check site | No (12M) | £18.00 |
| giffgaff 75GB 30D | UK only | Yes (EU) | Yes | £12.00 |
Questions people ask
Lebara is consistently the best option for international calls. Their plans include minutes to 50 or more countries as standard, with the Unlimited Plus plan offering unlimited international minutes. For calls to India specifically, Lebara also offers 1,000 bonus minutes on top of the standard allowance on certain plans.
For using your UK SIM in Europe, you need a plan that explicitly includes EU roaming. giffgaff on O2 still includes roaming in EU destinations on their standard plans. Always check the specific roaming terms before you travel as policies vary by provider and can change.
Yes, UK SIMs work in Europe but whether you are charged extra depends on your provider. Since Brexit, networks are no longer required to offer free EU roaming. Some still include it, others charge daily fees. Check your plan terms before you travel to avoid unexpected charges on your bill.
For short trips, a UK SIM with included EU roaming is usually more convenient and comparable in cost. For longer stays or frequent visits to the same country, a local SIM often works out cheaper for data. The trade-off is losing your UK number while you use it.
For EU roaming, giffgaff on O2 is one of the most reliable options with roaming still included on standard plans. For worldwide calls and international minutes, Lebara leads the market with minutes to more than 50 countries included as standard across most of their plans.
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