Calling and using the internet abroad? Here’s how it works

How does roaming work when traveling?

As soon as you cross the border, your SIM card connects to a local mobile network. That network then connects to your own provider. Your Dutch provider detects this and sends you a text message with the rates for your new destination. Using a foreign network for calling and browsing is called data roaming, or just roaming. If you want to, you can roam anywhere around the world.

Roaming in the EU: the same rates as in the Netherlands

Here’s the good news: within the European Union, roaming costs the same as calling and using mobile internet in the Netherlands. For roaming, the world is divided into four zones , and the EU is zone 1. The United Kingdom, despite Brexit, is still in zone 1, so the same rates as at home apply.

For example: traveling to the Canary Islands. They are Spanish territory and part of the EU. That means you can call the local diving center or a taxi company without extra costs. Calling Dutch numbers also costs the same as when you’re at home. And if someone from the EU calls you, that’s free.

Roaming outside the EU: different rules, higher costs

Calling and using data outside the EU (zone 1), will mean additional costs outside of your bundle. If Simyo is your provider, check the roaming rates for the country you’re visiting. Once you arrive, keep an eye on your usage in Mijn Simyo . Note that the foreign provider might pass on your usage with some delay, so it may not always show in real time.

Important: at sea, you’re quickly in international waters. On a ferry or cruise ship, your phone may only connect to the ship’s satellite antennas. Calling or using data that way is very expensive: sending just one photo via WhatsApp could cost € 10! To avoid this, turn off roaming as soon as you board.

Zo hou je roaming-kosten buiten de EU laag

The rule of thumb: the further you travel, the higher the rates for calling and mobile data. If you’re in zone 2 or 3, it’s smart to “send your smartphone on holiday” too. With these tips, you can keep your costs under control:

• Turn on mobile data only when you need it, switch it off if you don't need to use it anymore.
• Disable data roaming, otherwise your phone will keep downloading messages.
• Use as many apps offline as possible (for example, save regions in Google Maps for offline use).
• Wi-Fi hotspots are your best friends outside the EU.
• Buy a local SIM card to call and use data more cheaply at your destination. With a dual SIM phone, you can keep your own SIM card in too.
• Good to know: if someone calls you from the Netherlands while you’re abroad, you pay the costs.

Be careful in border regions

Traveling in countries that border a non-EU country? Then you may run into out-of-bundle costs. In border regions, you need to be extra alert about roaming. If a stronger signal comes from a nearby network, your phone can automatically switch. As a result, you could end up with a high bill, so it’s important to manually select your network.

Let's take Cyprus as an example, which has both a Greek and a Turkish part. Near or in the Turkish part, you may connect to Turkish networks. To avoid this, manually set your phone to a Greek network.

Another exception is the North Sea. For example, if you sail to Norway, you’ll pass through international waters, which are outside zone 1. That’s the moment to put your phone in flight mode, so you don’t rack up high roaming costs. Using this flight mode as a “sailing mode” can save you from nasty surprises.

Why does calling abroad still cost extra?

The word “to roam” literally means “to wander.” European roaming agreements only apply when you leave your own region. If you stay in the Netherlands, you’re not roaming. Calling abroad will cost you extra. For calls from the Netherlands to EU countries, you currently pay € 0.23 per minute with Simyo. Check the rates page for exact costs for your destination.

Why turn off roaming abroad?

If you don’t have a data bundle and/or you’re traveling outside the EU, roaming can become very expensive. In these cases, it’s best to turn off roaming.

If you do have a data bundle and you’re traveling within the EU, keep roaming turned on. With roaming off, your phone won’t connect to the internet. It’s better to switch it on, so you can use your bundle abroad just like at home.

Activating roaming with your provider

Before you can text home or use mobile data, you need to activate roaming with your provider. In Mijn Simyo or in the Mijn Simyo app , you can do this as follows:

1. Go to ‘Instellingen' (Settings).
2. Slide the toggle next to Calling in and to other countries to the right to enable calls abroad.
3. Want to use data abroad? Slide the toggle next to ‘Internet op je mobiel in het buitenland' (Mobile internet abroad) to the right.
4. Important: at Simyo, you can only use mobile data abroad if you also activate the 'Bellen in het buitenland' (calling abroad) option in Mijn Simyo.
5. Done? Restart your phone so the settings are applied.

How to get online abroad

To use mobile internet abroad, turn on the roaming option on your smartphone. For phone calls, you don’t need to switch anything on; once your phone connects to the local provider, you can make calls abroad.

Below are general instructions for setting up roaming on Android devices and iPhones. Through our device help , you can also see which screens and options to follow.

Roaming on Android

• Open 'Settings'.
• Tap 'Connections'.
• Tap 'Mobile networks'.
• Slide the toggle next to 'Data roaming' to the right to enable roaming.

Roaming on iPhone

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap 'Mobile network'.
• Tap 'Mobile data options'.
• Slide the toggle next to 'Roaming' to the right.

For both internet and calls abroad, your phone will automatically select the right network. Want to choose the network yourself? You can read how to do that below.

No network found? Here’s how to fix it.

If you still can’t connect to your chosen network, it means your provider doesn’t have a roaming agreement with it. Don’t worry: there are usually other networks in the area that do work with your provider. Check with your provider to find out which ones.

Choosing a network manually on Android

• Open 'Settings'.
• Tap 'Connections'.
• Tap 'Mobile networks'.
• Tap 'Network operators'.
• Tap 'Search networks'.
• Your phone will show all available networks.

Choosing a network manually on your iPhone

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap 'Carrier'.
• Slide the toggle next to 'Automatic' to the left to turn it off.
• Your iPhone will then show all available networks.

If you still can’t connect to your chosen network, it probably means your provider doesn’t have a roaming agreement with them. Don’t worry: there are usually other networks in the area that do work with your provider. Check with your provider to find out which ones.

No connection? This is how you can fix it

• Check whether roaming is turned on
• Check whether 'Bellen in en naar het buitenland' (Calling in and to other countries) and 'Internetten in het buitenland' (Using data abroad) are turned on in Mijn Simyo
• Check if you're connected to a network
• Manually connect to a network if necessary

No luck?

If you still can’t connect to a local network despite the instructions above, there’s a good chance there’s simply no coverage. For more clarity, contact your provider’s customer service. Keep in mind: when calling from abroad, they often have a different phone number. For Simyo, that number is +31 20 200 30 07 .

The Netherlands has the best network coverage in the world

The Netherlands is very compact and flat. Because it’s so densely populated and flat, it’s easier to set up a strong network here. This means we have a high standard for the quality of mobile calling. If you’re in an area with hills or mountains, like in Germany or Spain, there’s a much greater chance a mast will be blocked by a mountain, which can cause your signal to drop or fall back to 4G. Abroad, providers are working hard to keep improving quality. It keeps getting better, but the landscape will always be a challenge.

Data quality abroad

The quality of your coverage abroad depends on the provider you connect to in that country. At Simyo, we always choose the provider with the highest quality there, but it may still differ from what you’re used to in the Netherlands. You’ll automatically use a network we have a partnership with. As mentioned earlier in this blog, you can also choose a network manually.

Always on the best network with Simyo

With a Simyo subscription, you're on the KPN network. That means in the Netherlands you always have a top-quality connection. Whether you have a Sim Only subscription or use Prepaid , we make sure you’re also connected to the best networks abroad.

On top of that, with Simyo you can adjust your bundles every month. Perfect if you’re going on vacation and need extra data, but also if you always have data left over at the end of the month. Traveling within Europe? Then you can use the same bundles as in the Netherlands. After your trip, you can simply lower your bundles again, without changing your monthly bundle costs!