Will my phone work in Europe?

Your bags are packed, the flight is scheduled, the hotel is booked, you’ve budgeted enough for pastries… you’re ready for a journey across the Atlantic. But when your friend tells you to call them as soon as you land, you stop and ask yourself “Will my phone work in Europe? And even if it does, will it eat up my entire pastry budget?”

These are valid questions, and fortunately, this blog has the answers. Let’s go over the ins & outs of using your US-based phone on your Euro trip.

Will my cell phone work in Europe?

The short answer is yes, virtually all modern smartphones will work in Europe. Most US phone carriers offer international roaming options that allow you to keep your regular phone number, allowing you to receive calls and texts as you normally do, and you can usually set roaming up before your trip so your service is ready to go on arrival. Using your carrier’s roaming option also means no need to swap out your regular SIM for a local SIM card. 

Most carriers will also alert you of the costs of calling, texting & web-browsing once you’ve arrived at your destination, because international roaming can get very expensive, very fast. It all depends on what your carrier’s international roaming options are; some carriers make it super easy and affordable (wink wink)  to travel to Europe and use your phone (wink wink) (it’s us) (Mint Mobile) (more on that later).

Should I get a European SIM card?

A popular alternative to roaming is purchasing a local SIM card. Most US phones accept European SIM cards, as long as they are unlocked. Many European carriers offer prepaid physical SIM cards or eSIM data plans. Local SIMs could help avoid roaming charges, and also work across the European Union, so visiting multiple EU countries won’t require any additional fees or steps.

One important note: using a European SIM also means you’ll have a European number, so friends & family won’t be able to reach you on your US number unless your phone supports dual SIM. If your phone is dual SIM-compatible, you can use a European SIM for use while traveling the EU and keep your US SIM in your phone in case anyone needs to reach you via your usual phone number. Just remember any calls to your US number may be subject to your carrier’s roaming charges.  

Also, in some cases, a European SIM may change the language on your phone’s menu. So that could be interesting, depending on your proficiency in that particular language.

Tips for using a cell phone in Europe

Planning ahead can help you make the most of your cell phone while avoiding unnecessary usage and roaming fees while you galavant around another continent. Here are a few steps you can take to make the most of your European trip:

Connect to Wi-Fi when you can

Cafe, hotels, restaurants…wherever you find available Wi-Fi, take advantage of it. Since Wi-Fi tends to be in spots catering to tourists, there are added risks of identity theft or hacking, so be sure to follow best practices when it comes to phone security.

Go airplane mode

Do your best to make Airplane Mode your default setting during the trip to avoid any accidental data usage. With Airplane Mode on, you can still connect to Wi-Fi or use any phone functions that don’t require a data connection.

Download content for offline use

Any time you’re connected to a secure Wi-Fi network, take the opportunity to download maps, guidebooks and any media you may want to use later. 

Use Wi-Fi calling

Most phone plans nowadays include Wi-Fi Calling as a feature (including Mint). Wi-Fi Calling lets you make calls with your same phone number over a Wi-Fi network at no additional cost. All you have to do is turn the feature on in your phone’s settings.

Pause auto downloads & background app refresh

Make sure things like unnecessary push notifications, automatic updates and background app refresh are turned off. These features can slowly chip away at your data, even while your phone is just sitting in your pocket.

Carry a portable battery and local adaptors

A battery pack can ensure your phone stays charged while you’re on the go, and keeping a local adaptor on you will make charging your US phone anywhere a lot easier.

You’re ready to go Euro

Now you know what to do with your phone when you cross the pond to Europe. If you’re looking for more country-specific deep dives (like on, say, Italy, France, or the UK), we’ve got you, too. And if you’re a Mint Mobile subscriber, you can enjoy affordable talk, text & high-speed data in over 180+ countries with a Minternational Pass. Click the link below to see if your next vacation spot will be covered.