topic Re: EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim? in Roaming

EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim?

paul_down_south — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:44:07 GMT

I am looking to use an E-sim for data abroad (not EE), and keep my EE sim on to receive emergency (family) calls when abroad. How does this work on billing? I do not wish to buy a EU roaming pass, as it is expensive - how does billing cost per call or per text? I am aware I can tell the phone to route data through the other company e-sim. Do I have to turn roaming on, but I don't get charged unless a call occurs?

I need to do this because my contract with EE for my family of 5, give expensive roaming compared to other companies and most e-sims

Re: EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim?

garybs29 — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:04:47 GMT

Depends on where you're going, check at ee.co.uk/roaming

Re: EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim?

bristolian — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:30:40 GMT

The "e" element of your eSIM is immaterial here, that's a popular misunderstanding. You have a SIM with an operator, that's what matters. EE will charge roaming rates when you make or receive a call, send a text message or use mobile data - whilst roaming.

Roaming means using your phone on foreign networks, which is necessary in order to conduct any of those chargeable activities. The network connection itself is free of charge, the act of using that connection is what incurs charges - those charges are set out at https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/roaming/roaming-costs

Within the EU, roaming is flat-rate and not per-call or per-text. Outside the EU, you have both options.

Re: EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim?

XRaySpeX — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:55:59 GMT

In the EU, w/out any Roaming Pass, you will be charged £2.72 regardless every day you use your EE SIM to make or receive calls, send texts or use data. Don't use on any day & you'll not be charged.

Re: EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim?

ee_user14 — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:03:56 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
In the EU, w/out any Roaming Pass, you will be charged £2.72 regardless every day....

Which is basically what's already been said above.

Re: EE cost of receiving unplanned call abroad, when using another company e-sim?

investigate — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 22:32:35 GMT

Here's a free workaround when you are in expensive roaming countries.

Receiving text messages while abroad is completely free on EE, anywhere in the world. You can leave your phone roaming on to receive texts set your spend cap to £0 if you want no charges, turn off data or apply the cap. EE has a free "Missed Call Alert" feature. If your phone is off, out of signal, or you reject the call, EE will send you a text message telling you the number that tried to call you.

You can also forward your calls to a trusted friend, family member, or a secondary UK phone number. This is included as long as minutes left in your allowance. Before you go, dial **21* followed by the UK phone number you want to forward to, followed by # this is free to recieve no matter where you are or set it in settings.

Fianlly record a greeting on voicemail telling the person to send an SMS with their message.