High phone bill from abroad: classifying roaming costs correctly

Within the EU 'roam like at home' applies: you use your domestic volume without a surcharge. Outside the EU, by contrast, high costs can arise. A statutory cost protection (roaming threshold) is meant to protect against extreme bills. A surprisingly high bill is worth checking closely.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Dispute the bill →

Your chances of getting your money back

Within the EU the roaming-at-domestic-prices principle ('roam like at home') applies: calls, SMS and data are generally billed without a roaming surcharge as at home. Outside the EU, by contrast, the respective foreign prices apply.

For data roaming there is a statutory cost protection: above a certain threshold the connection must be cut off or consent must be obtained. If this protection was not observed, you can dispute the bill.

What you should do now

1
1. Clarify the region
EU roaming is billed like the domestic tariff; outside the EU foreign prices apply, this explains many bills.
2
2. Check the cost protection
With data roaming, above a threshold a warning or cut-off must occur. If this was omitted, the bill is open to challenge.
3
3. Request itemized records
Demand an itemized connection record to understand the costs.
4
4. Dispute
Dispute in writing amounts that are excessive or arose in violation of the cost protection.

How to spot the scam

High data costs outside the EU without a warning upon reaching the cost threshold.
Roaming was used unnoticed in the border area via a foreign network.
The bill shows foreign items without a comprehensible itemization.

Frequently asked questions

Is roaming charged extra in the EU?

Generally not. Within the EU 'roam like at home' applies: you use your domestic volume for calls, SMS and data without a roaming surcharge. With very high data consumption there can be fair-use limits, but no normal foreign surcharges.

What applies outside the EU?

There the respective foreign prices apply, which can be considerably higher. For data roaming, however, a statutory cost protection applies: above a certain cost threshold the data connection must be cut off or your consent obtained.

How do I defend against an excessive bill?

Request an itemized connection record and check whether the cost protection was observed for data roaming. If no warning or cut-off occurred in time, you can dispute the corresponding amounts in writing.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

Dispute the bill Check a suspicious message

More help: Emergency by phone · Act together · Right to a lawyer · All guides

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.