The Texto SMS Gratuit team
3 July 2026 · 4 min read
The summer holidays are here, and with them the perennial question: how much will your SMS, calls and mobile data cost abroad? Good news for summer 2026: the European "Roam Like At Home" scheme has expanded again, with two new countries joining the surcharge-free zone in January 2026.
Here is everything you need to know before packing your bags, whether you are heading to Spain, Greece — or now Ukraine and Moldova.
The principle: your French plan travels with you
Since 2017, the EU roaming regulation has enforced a simple rule: within the European Union, you use your mobile plan just like at home. In practice, during your holidays in an EU country:
- your calls, made and received, are counted exactly as in France;
- your text messages are billed as domestic SMS (and receiving them is free);
- your mobile data draws from your plan's allowance, sometimes with a specific cap for use abroad.
The scheme, extended until 2032, covers the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Be careful though: the United Kingdom and Switzerland are not part of it. Each operator applies its own policy there — check your contract before crossing the Channel or Lake Geneva.
New in 2026: Ukraine and Moldova join the zone
This is the big change this year: since 1 January 2026, Ukraine and Moldova are officially part of the "Roam Like At Home" area. French travellers can call, text and browse there under their domestic plan conditions, with no surcharge.
It is also a major step in the other direction: the millions of Ukrainians and Moldovans living in the EU can stay in touch with their loved ones without fearing the bill. A reminder of how essential SMS remains as a lifeline, as we explained in our article on the decline of SMS in France according to Arcep.
"Fair use": the rule to know to avoid surprises
Roaming at domestic rates is designed for temporary travel — holidays, business trips — not for living year-round on a foreign plan. Operators therefore apply a "fair use" policy:
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| More time spent in France than abroad (over ~4 months) | Surcharge-free roaming |
| Presence or usage mostly abroad | The operator may alert you, then apply a surcharge |
| Exceeding your plan's "abroad" data allowance | Capped surcharge (around €1.10 per GB excluding VAT in 2026) |
Another valuable safeguard is the bill-shock cap. By default, as soon as your additional roaming charges reach €50 excluding VAT, your data connection is blocked unless you explicitly agree to keep going. You also receive an automatic information SMS when arriving in each country, summarising the applicable rates.
Outside Europe: the right habits to protect your budget
As soon as you leave the EU/EEA zone, roaming rates are unregulated again — and sometimes dizzying (several euros per MB in some destinations). A few simple habits help:
- Turn off data roaming in your phone settings as soon as you board.
- Favour Wi-Fi at your hotel or in public places, ideally with a VPN.
- Consider a local or travel eSIM: we cover everything in our guide to eSIM in France in 2026.
- Send texts over the internet: our free SMS form works from any Wi-Fi connection in the world, letting you reach someone in France without touching your plan.
Stay alert: SMS scams follow holidaymakers too
Summer is peak season for smishing: fake toll, parcel delivery or "customs fee" text messages that target travellers. Abroad, we let our guard down and click faster. Re-read our tips to spot and avoid SMS scams before leaving, and remember that no operator will ever ask for your bank details by SMS.
If you have any doubt about a message received while roaming, do not click any link and report it to 33700 once back in France.
In short, before you go
Roaming in Europe has never been simpler: use your plan like at home in 32 countries (EU, EEA, Ukraine and Moldova), receive calls and SMS for free, and rely on the €50 cap against nasty surprises. Outside Europe, plan ahead with an eSIM or Wi-Fi — and to send a text to a French mobile from anywhere, our service remains free, with no sign-up and no ads. Any questions? Check our FAQ or contact us.
Happy holidays, and happy texting!
