Best Network for International Calling from the UK

If you regularly call family or friends in another country from your UK number, the right SIM card can save you a significant amount compared to paying standard out-of-bundle rates on a major network. Most people calling abroad from the UK fall into one of two categories: those who want international minutes bundled into their monthly plan, and those who are already on a plan they are happy with and just need a cheap add-on. This guide covers both.

Compare current SIM-only deals

Reviewed by: Phil Brown, founder of SIM Only Finder. Phil previously worked in UK mobile retail at Three UK, advising customers on SIM plans, contracts, and network choices. He has spent over a decade running consumer comparison platforms and reviews networks and SIM-only deals based on that hands-on industry background. About the author

Last reviewed: April 2026. Updated regularly to reflect current plan pricing, network changes, and add-on pricing.

How we put this guide together

To put this guide together, we reviewed the current international calling plans and add-on options for every major UK network in April 2026, checking inclusive minute allowances, out-of-bundle per-minute rates, and country coverage directly against each network's published terms. We have drawn on our own experience of testing international calls to a range of destinations to assess call quality and whether inclusive minutes work as described.

International calls vs roaming: what is the difference?

These are two different things and it is worth being clear on the distinction before comparing networks.

International calling means making a call from the UK to a number in another country: for example, calling a mobile in India or Pakistan while you are sitting at home in the UK. Roaming means using your phone while you are physically abroad. If you want to know how different networks handle roaming, see our EU roaming guide.

This guide covers international calling from the UK only.

Networks with international minutes included as standard

These networks include a set number of international calling minutes in their standard monthly plans, with no need to purchase a separate add-on. They are the strongest option if you make international calls regularly and want simplicity.

Lebara

Lebara has international calling at its core. Every plan includes a set number of international minutes as standard, with the allowance increasing as you move up the plan tiers. Entry-level plans include 100 international minutes to over 50 countries, while higher-tier plans include significantly more, with some offering unlimited international minutes to selected destinations.

The countries covered include the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Israel. If you call India, Europe, North America, China, or Australia regularly, Lebara's out-of-bundle rates are among the cheapest available: around 1p per minute to many of these destinations. Pakistan out of bundle is around 3p per minute.

Lebara runs on Vodafone's network and supports Wi-Fi calling, which is an advantage for making calls in areas with weaker signal. Plans are no-contract rolling 30-day deals, and there are no mid-contract price rises.

Best for: People who regularly call Asia, Europe, or North America and want international minutes bundled in without paying for an add-on.

Lycamobile

Lycamobile takes a similar approach to Lebara, with international minutes included on most plans. Entry-level plans include 100 international minutes, rising on higher tiers, with some plans including 500 or more minutes to over 40 countries.

Country coverage is comparable to Lebara, with the main distinction being that Lycamobile does not include Israel in its standard international minutes list. Out-of-bundle rates to India are around 3p per minute, Eastern Europe around 6p per minute, and the USA around 7p per minute: slightly higher than Lebara in some cases. Calls to Western Europe out of bundle are around 19p per minute, which is notably more expensive than Lebara.

Lycamobile runs on EE's network. One limitation compared to Lebara is that Lycamobile does not support Wi-Fi calling, which can affect call quality in buildings with weaker signal. iPhone users should also be aware that Lycamobile currently only supports 5G on Android devices: if you have an iPhone, you will be limited to 4G speeds. Plans are available on rolling 30-day or no-contract terms, with no mid-contract price rises.

Best for: People who call India or specific Asian destinations regularly and want inclusive international minutes at a low base price, particularly if Israel is not a required destination.

For a full breakdown of how Lycamobile compares against other networks, see our Lycamobile review

Spusu

Spusu is not primarily an international calling network, but it deserves a mention here because every plan includes 500 free minutes from the UK to EU countries as standard: at no extra cost. If the countries you call are in Europe, this is a genuinely useful inclusion that most other networks do not offer at a comparable price point.

Outside of EU calling, Spusu does not offer the same depth of international coverage as Lebara, Lycamobile, or Talk Home. But for anyone calling France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, or other EU destinations regularly, the 500 included EU minutes make it worth comparing.

Plans start from £3.90 per month, run on EE's network, and include no credit check and no mid-contract price rises. See our full Spusu review for more detail.

Best for: People who primarily call EU countries and want those minutes included in a low-cost plan without needing a separate add-on.

Networks with international add-ons

If you are already on a plan you are happy with and just want to reduce the cost of international calls, several major networks offer add-ons that give you discounted or inclusive minutes without needing to switch SIM. These are worth comparing if your destination is covered and the all-in cost is competitive.

O2

O2's International Bolt-On costs £3 per month and reduces international call rates to as little as 1p per minute in over 200 countries. The key thing to understand is that this is a discounted rate, not a bundle of free minutes: you pay £3 for the add-on and then a per-minute rate on top of that. The rate varies by destination; landlines are generally cheaper than mobiles, and some countries cost more than others. But for the country coverage and the low monthly cost of the bolt-on itself, it is one of the better value add-ons available from a major network.

Best for: O2 customers who make occasional international calls to a wide range of countries and want to reduce rates without paying for a large bundle.

EE

EE offers three international calling add-ons. The International Pass costs £2.16 per month and unlocks discounted rates to 65 countries. The International add-on costs £14.05 per month and gives you 500 minutes to use across 50 countries (working out at around 2.8p per minute), covering major destinations including India, the USA, Australia, China, Canada, and much of Europe. The International Extra add-on costs £28.15 per month for 250 minutes to 100 countries, which works out at around 11p per minute and is better suited to those who need to call destinations not covered by the standard add-on.

One important limitation to be aware of: the International and International Extra add-ons restrict you to calling a maximum of 5 saved numbers per month. If you call more than 5 different numbers internationally, you will be charged at standard out-of-bundle rates for any additional numbers. This makes EE's add-ons better suited to people who regularly call a small number of contacts rather than a wide range of different numbers.

The International add-on is the most cost-effective of the three for frequent callers to popular destinations who call a small number of contacts. Note that EE's add-ons are only available to existing EE customers.

Best for: Existing EE customers who regularly call a small number of international contacts (up to 5 numbers) in popular destinations and want a predictable per-minute cost.

Vodafone

Vodafone's international add-ons give you a choice of coverage depending on which countries you need. A 50 International Minutes add-on covering 50 destinations (including Europe, USA, China, and India) costs £5 per month. For wider coverage across 212 countries, there is a 75-minute add-on for £10 per month or a 200-minute add-on for £20 per month.

For pay-as-you-go customers, Vodafone also offers reduced international rates through its add-on structure. The breadth of country coverage across 212 destinations is one of the strongest points of Vodafone's international offering.

Best for: Vodafone customers who need to call a wide range of destinations, including less commonly covered countries.

Sky Mobile

Sky Mobile's International Saver add-on costs £4 per month and reduces calls and texts to over 60 destinations to a flat rate of 5p per minute regardless of whether you are calling a landline or mobile. The flat rate makes billing predictable. Country coverage is similar to other major network add-ons.

Worth noting: Sky Mobile raised prices by £1.50 per month in February 2026 for most existing customers, so factor that into any overall cost comparison when adding the International Saver on top.

Best for: Sky Mobile customers who want a simple, predictable rate for international calls without worrying about variable per-minute pricing.

Voxi

Voxi's 100 International Minutes Extra add-on costs £6.50 per month and gives you 100 minutes to use in 100 destinations. It is a Vodafone product (Voxi is Vodafone's youth-focused sub-brand) and it mirrors one of Vodafone's own add-on offerings. If you are already on Voxi, this is a straightforward option. If you are not, comparing directly with Vodafone's own plans makes sense.

Best for: Existing Voxi customers who make moderate international calls and want a simple add-on without switching network.

Which network is best for your destination?

The right network often comes down to the specific country you are calling. Here is a quick guide by destination:

India: Lebara and Lycamobile both offer inclusive minutes and low out-of-bundle rates (around 1p to 3p per minute). Lycamobile has plans with unlimited India minutes on higher tiers.

Pakistan: Lebara offers around 3p per minute out of bundle. O2's International Bolt-On covers Pakistan at a discounted rate.

Nigeria and Ghana: Lebara and Lycamobile cover both in their standard international allowances. O2's International Bolt-On also covers both countries.

Bangladesh: Lebara and Lycamobile both include Bangladesh in their standard international minutes.

EU countries (France, Germany, Spain, Poland, etc.): Spusu's 500 included EU minutes make it the standout option if European calling is your primary need. Lebara and Lycamobile both include EU destinations in their standard international allowances.

USA and Canada: Lebara, Lycamobile, and EE's International add-on all cover North America at competitive rates. Lebara's out-of-bundle rate is around 1p per minute.

Australia and New Zealand: Lebara's out-of-bundle rate is around 1p per minute. EE's International add-on covers Australia, though mobile calls cost more than landlines.

Conclusion

For most people who call abroad regularly, Lebara is the most versatile option: international minutes are included on every plan, rates are low, and the coverage of 40+ countries handles the most common destinations. Lycamobile is a close second and is particularly worth considering for heavy India callers who want unlimited minutes.

For people who do not want to switch networks, O2's International Bolt-On at £3 per month is the cheapest entry point among the major network add-ons, though rates vary by destination. EE's International add-on at 2.8p per minute across 50 countries is a strong option for frequent callers on EE who want a predictable cost.

Always check the rate for your specific destination before committing: international calling prices vary significantly by country, and what is cheap for India may not be cheap for Nigeria or the USA.

How to switch to an international calling SIM

If you decide to switch to a network that includes international minutes as standard, the process is the same as switching to any other SIM-only plan. If you want to keep your existing number, text PAC to 65075 from your current SIM and your code will arrive by text within 60 seconds. Give the PAC code to your new network when signing up and your number will transfer within one working day. Our PAC code guide covers the full process for every network.

If you are staying on your current network and just adding an international bolt-on, you can usually do this through your network's app or account portal without needing to contact customer service.

Editorial policy

This guide is produced by the SIM Only Finder editorial team to help people compare international calling options across UK networks. Network terms, add-on pricing, and international minute allowances are checked regularly and updated to reflect current offers. Rates and plan details change frequently: always confirm current terms directly with the network before signing up.