EE to reintroduce roaming charges in Europe next year

Mobile operator EE announced it will charge new UK customers extra to use the data on their mobile phones when abroad to Europe from January 2022.

EE, which is a part of BT Group, said that those joining or upgrading from 7 July 2021 will be charged £2 a day to use their data in 47 European destinations.

The company thus backtracked on previous statements that it would not reintroduce roaming charges in Europe and will be the first mobile operator to reintroduce the additional costs since the EU trade deal was signed in December.

The UK's trade deal with the EU says that both sides will encourage operators to have "transparent and reasonable rates" for roaming, but it did not ban charges.

EE said on Thursday that introducing the charges would "support investment into our UK based customer service and leading UK network."

Since 2017, mobile networks in EU countries have not been allowed to charge customers extra to use their phones in other EU countries. The Republic of Ireland will not be affected.