Making calls abroad - beware of the cost trap!

Making calls abroad: it can be really expensive!

We still have to wait until 2017 before there are no more roaming charges for cell phone use in other EU countries. A text message to our loved ones at home, a vacation snapshot for our girlfriend and then a quick check of our emails - if you want to make calls abroad and use your smartphone, you often get a rude awakening when you receive your next bill. But with the right precautions, you can keep your costs under control.

via Lea

06/24/2016, 15:50

Informieren Sie sich am besten vor einer Auslandsreise über die Handygebühren — It is best to find out about cell phone charges before traveling abroad

Making calls abroad: How can I avoid a high bill?

Fixed maximum roaming prices have applied in the EU since 2007: Outgoing calls from abroad cost a maximum of 23 cents per minute, incoming calls six cents. A text message costs a maximum of seven cents, data usage via the mobile Internet a maximum of 24 cents. This EU tariff normally applies automatically to every traveler and is the best option for holidaymakers who only want to call home from time to time. But be careful: check with your mobile phone provider in advance to see if you have a different, more expensive international function. If this is the case, be sure to ask for an adjustment so that making calls abroad does not become a cost trap.

What if I want to use my cell phone a lot while on vacation?

In this case, you should enquire about the international options with your mobile phone provider and book an appropriate package. The EU roaming flat rate with O2, for example, costs €4.99 per month and allows you to make unlimited calls from other EU countries to Germany and to make calls within the EU country you are traveling to.

Making calls abroad: these are the other pitfalls

Make sure you deactivate automatic app updates before traveling abroad - these consume a lot of expensive data volume. On the iPhone, you can find this option under Settings/iTunes & App Store/Updates. For Android devices, open Google Play Store/Settings/Automatic app updates. It is also advisable to switch off your voicemail when abroad. Because if you listen to a voice message, you pay. MMS can also be an unpleasant surprise on your cell phone bill: Sending a multimedia message from abroad can cost up to two euros, and even receiving it is not free: most providers charge around 40 cents for this.

What applies to non-EU countries and frequent travelers?

Anyone who spends their vacation in Turkey or Thailand, for example, or spends longer periods of time abroad during the year, can buy a corresponding foreign SIM card before departure and then only pay the respective country tariff for phone calls, text messages and data usage while on vacation. The good thing is that you can still be reached on your German number. Travel SIM cards can be ordered online at www.holidayphone.de, for example.