Last Updated: 10th July 2025, 18:16
Are you planning a holiday this summer? Great news! Three is bringing back inclusive roaming on some of its mobile plans. No more forking out money for extra phone charges that could be spent on souvenirs or abroad; data roaming has returned. After scrapping free roaming back in 2021, Three has reintroduced it for some new and upgraded pay monthly customers. Just like the good old days, this means no daily fees in a range of destinations. It's a welcome and refreshing update.
What Changed and Why
In 2021, Three decided to scrap free roaming for anyone renewing or taking out a new contract, which didn't go down very well with their customers. Instead, you then had to pay daily fees to use your phone abroad. It was a surprising shift for the phone company, especially considering they used to be one of the top companies for travel perks. With the cost of travel increasing and the pressure from other competitors since then, Three bringing back inclusive roaming seems a strategic and smart move to win back trust and stand out in a crowded market.
What's New with Inclusive Roaming
The recent change affects those signing up for a Pay Monthly plan starting on or after 22 June 2025 and here’s how it works:
If you have signed up for;
- a Complete plan? You’re all set! Go Roam in Europe, Around the World, and Around the World Extra destinations are included at no extra cost.
- a Value plan? You still get Go Roam in Europe destinations included free of charge.
- a Lite plan? You’ll need to buy a Go Roam Pass, or daily roaming charges will apply.
The rules remain the same for those that signed up for a Pay Monthly Value or Complete plans on or after October 1, 2021,. These plans come with a number of inclusive Go Roam Passes. These passes cover a range of destinations and mean you can use your phone abroad without having to pay for the usual daily roaming fees. It does, however, have a fair use cap of 12GB per month, and it depends on where you are headed:
- Go Roam in Europe – 49 destinations
- Go Roam Around the World – 71 destinations
- Go Roam Around the World Extra – 92 new additions, including places like Thailand, Mexico, and more
This isn't an additional charge on top of your monthly plan; it's simply included within it. Daily roaming, free of charge, just like how it used to be!
Eligibility and Limitations
As much as this is great news for a lot of customers, there are some limitations. Inclusive roaming is only available on Pay Monthly Value or Complete plans that were started or renewed after October 2021. Older plans, pay-as-you-go, and SIM-only deals are not eligible for inclusive roaming. You can still use your phone abroad; you just have to pay daily charges, or buy a short-term roaming pass if you choose to.
As briefly mentioned earlier, data usage abroad is capped at 12GB per month, regardless of how much data is included in your plan. This even includes unlimited data! If you go over that amount while on holiday, you will face extra charges, so be sure to keep track of what data you have left. Another thing to consider is that while roaming is back, your phone will switch to 3G or 4G in most places, because 5G isn't available.
Why This Matters
With all sorts of other costs rising, more people are keeping a closer eye on what they are spending their money on, including holidays. Roaming charges can add up fast, especially when travelling outside of Europe, which is why this is a huge move from Three. With fewer costs and more freedom to stay connected, inclusive data roaming puts Three back in the game with its competitors. Whether you are someone who works remotely, a student abroad, or just loves to travel, this makes Three a whole lot more appealing.
Conclusion
With Three bringing back inclusive roaming, other mobile providers are sure to follow suit. This is a big win for travellers and all of us going on a summer holiday this year and in the future!
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