Roaming is one of the most unexpected expenses when traveling. This guide explains how to completely avoid it — or minimize it — with strategies that work in 2025 for any destination.
What is roaming and why is it so expensive?
Roaming is the use of your regular mobile plan when you are in a country where your carrier does not have its own network. In such cases, your carrier leases access to another local carrier's network and passes that cost on to your bill — with a considerable markup.
Outside the European Union, this markup can be enormous: €5-20 per day of use, €0.50 per minute for calls, or even charges per megabyte consumed on older plans. A week-long trip to the United States using uncontrolled roaming can easily cost you €100-200 just for mobile usage.
Within the EU, the "Roam Like at Home" regulation, in effect since 2017, eliminated extra charges — you use your Spanish plan throughout the European Union at no additional cost. But beware: this is only within the EU, and with "fair use" limits according to your contract.
Method 1: Use a travel eSIM (the best solution)
A travel eSIM is currently the smartest way to get data abroad without roaming. Instead of using your Spanish carrier's data (with roaming charges), you install a local data plan for your destination directly on your phone — digitally, without a physical card.
How it works:
- Purchase the eSIM plan for your destination before you leave (from home, in minutes)
- Receive a QR code by email, scan it in your phone's Settings
- At your destination, activate data on the eSIM line
- Your Spanish SIM remains active for calls and SMS, but data uses the cheaper eSIM
Advantages over roaming:
- Fixed and predictable price — you know exactly how much you'll spend before you leave
- No bill surprises — impossible with prepaid
- No complicated setup — just activate data on the correct line
- Keep your number — Dual SIM, your Spanish SIM remains active
The savings are real: a PuraSIM eSIM for Mexico costs from €12 for the entire trip, compared to €35-70 for roaming from a Spanish carrier.
Method 2: Completely deactivate data roaming
If you don't use an eSIM and don't want to spend anything on mobile data abroad, the safest thing to do is to deactivate data roaming on your phone. This way, there will be no accidental charges even if your phone tries to update or an app makes a background request.
On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming → OFF
On Android (Samsung): Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming → OFF
With this deactivated, your phone will only have data when connected to Wi-Fi. Perfect if your accommodation has good Wi-Fi and you don't need data on the go.
Method 3: Buy a local physical SIM at your destination
Another classic alternative: upon arrival at your destination's airport, buy a local prepaid SIM. In many countries, this is very cheap — in Thailand, you can buy a SIM with 15 GB for about €10, in Mexico for €5-8.
Advantages:
- Generally the lowest possible price for local data
- Compatible with any phone (does not require eSIM support)
- Sometimes includes local calls
Disadvantages:
- You have to remove your Spanish SIM (risk of losing it)
- Only one of the two numbers is active at a time
- Waits at the airport, possible language barriers, activation process
- In some countries, requires identification documents
Method 4: Connect to Wi-Fi and forget about mobile data
For travelers with low data usage or who primarily move between Wi-Fi hotspots (hotel, restaurants, cafes), deactivating roaming and using only Wi-Fi may be sufficient.
Wi-Fi strategy for travelers:
- Download Google Maps offline before you leave — it works without data
- Download Spotify playlists offline
- Use apps that work offline: GuiaMaps, Maps.me
- Hotels, hostels, and most cafes have free Wi-Fi
- Airports in major destinations offer free Wi-Fi
The risk: getting lost without maps in an unfamiliar neighborhood, unable to search for a restaurant or call an Uber in a moment of need. For more independent travelers, always having some mobile data is highly recommended.
Method 5: Activate a roaming bundle from your carrier (for short trips)
If your Spanish carrier offers specific roaming bundles for your destination, it can be an option for very short trips (1-2 days) where the total cost is low and convenience matters more than price.
Examples of carrier bundles:
- Movistar "Mundo": €5/day in more than 40 countries
- Orange "Travel": from €9/day in selected destinations
- Vodafone "Global Pass": from €6/day
When a bundle makes sense:
- 1-2 day trip outside the EU (total cost: €10-18, which may be acceptable)
- If you already have the bundle activated in your current plan at no extra cost
- Emergencies where you didn't have time to prepare an eSIM
When it DOES NOT make sense: any trip of 3+ days outside the EU. The cost of an eSIM is much lower.
What to do if you have roaming activated by mistake
If you arrive at your destination and are unsure if roaming is active, here are the emergency steps:
- Immediately put your phone in airplane mode to cut all connections
- Activate only Wi-Fi (within airplane mode, you can activate Wi-Fi on iPhone/Android)
- Go to Settings and check the roaming status — deactivate it if it's ON
- Exit airplane mode
- Check if your carrier sent you roaming welcome SMS — it will tell you if you have already consumed anything
Roaming welcome SMS messages are important: they almost always tell you the cost per day or per active MB in that destination. If you don't receive them, call your carrier to confirm what charges apply.
Roaming in specific countries: what you need to know
United States and Canada
Typically more expensive outside the EU. Spanish carriers charge €6-15/day. A PuraSIM eSIM for the USA for 7-10 days costs €12-20 — the savings are clear.
Mexico and Latin America
Roaming is very expensive throughout the region. Some Movistar plans include "included roaming" in Mexico, but with limited speed and few GB. For trips longer than 3 days, eSIM consistently saves €30-80.
Asia (Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam)
Southeast Asian countries have cheap physical SIMs available at airports. eSIM competes very well in price and has the advantage of being installed from home. Carrier roaming: very expensive (€8-20/day).
Middle East (Emirates, Saudi Arabia)
Expensive roaming. eSIM available in major destinations. Verify that the specific eSIM plan covers your destination.
Within the European Union
Roaming is included in most Spanish plans — you don't need an eSIM within the EU. Check your plan's fair use limits (they are usually generous for most normal travelers).
Comparison of anti-roaming methods
| Method | Typical Price | Convenience | Keep Number | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM (PuraSIM) | €9-25 for the entire trip | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes | Most travelers |
| Deactivate roaming + WiFi | €0 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes | Minimalist travelers with good WiFi |
| Local physical SIM | €5-15 destination | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No (one at a time) | Long trips, countries without eSIM |
| Carrier roaming bundle | €5-15/day | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes | Only 1-2 day trips |
Frequently Asked Questions: Avoiding Roaming
Can I have roaming active as an "emergency network" even if I use eSIM?
Technically yes, but we recommend deactivating it to avoid unintentional charges. If the eSIM fails for any reason, you have the option to activate roaming temporarily. With roaming deactivated, if the eSIM doesn't work, you simply won't have data until you fix it.
Will my carrier notify me before charging for roaming?
In Europe, regulations require carriers to send you a notification when you approach roaming spending limits (usually set at €50). Outside the EU, this notification is not legally guaranteed — although many carriers still do it.
Can I receive calls to my Spanish number without roaming?
Receiving calls always incurs roaming charges if you are abroad outside the EU — even with data deactivated. If you are in airplane mode, you won't receive calls. The only way to receive calls to your number without voice roaming is to use apps like WhatsApp or Telegram that work over the internet (Wi-Fi or eSIM).
How long before I leave should I prepare the eSIM?
Ideally, install it 24-48 hours before you leave, from home with Wi-Fi. This gives you time to resolve any problems without the rush of travel. The plan only consumes data when you activate it at your destination — you can install it days in advance without it "starting to run."
Action plan before your next trip outside the EU
- ✅ Confirm that your mobile is eSIM compatible (Settings → search for EID)
- ✅ Choose a PuraSIM plan for your destination and duration
- ✅ Install the eSIM from home with Wi-Fi (scan the QR code from the email)
- ✅ Deactivate data roaming on your Spanish SIM (Settings → Mobile Data)
- ✅ Upon arrival at your destination: activate data on the eSIM line
- ✅ Enjoy your trip without worrying about your mobile bill
Ready for your next trip without surprises? Find the eSIM plan for your destination.
