An example: Daniel lives a few minutes from two borders
Fictional example: Daniel is a British engineer living in Basel with a Swiss contract. He visits friends in Freiburg about twice a month and sometimes shops in Alsace. His contract includes no EU roaming, and last spring one long weekend in Germany pushed his bill well above normal.
This time he opens his provider's app, lowers his roaming cost limit and buys an EU data add-on that starts on the day of his next trip. He has also noticed that the roaming text sometimes arrives in his flat, although he has not left Basel. He now keeps roaming off at home and turns it on only after crossing the border.
Because his trips are so frequent, Daniel is also considering a separate German contract, an option the Swiss conciliation body ombudscom mentions for people who regularly visit the same country.
Why doesn't roam-like-at-home cover a Swiss plan?
Roam like at home is laid down in the EU Roaming Regulation (EU) 2022/612, which is set to apply until 2032. It protects customers of mobile providers in the EU. According to the EU's Your Europe portal, it applies in all EU countries, in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and in Moldova and Ukraine. Other countries are not covered.
Switzerland is not part of this system. The Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM, not the UK regulator Ofcom) explains that retail roaming prices could only be regulated if an international agreement set wholesale prices between operators. No such agreement currently exists (OFCOM page of 16 January 2025). Your Swiss provider therefore sets the price you pay in Germany or Spain. According to ombudscom, texts, calls and mobile internet abroad cost several times the domestic price.
| Plan from | Travelling in the EU | Travelling in Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | No EU rule: tariff price, with the Swiss cost limit and information text since 2021 | Domestic tariff; near the border, foreign networks possible |
| An EU country (e.g. Germany, France, Italy, Spain) | Roam like at home in the EU, EEA, Moldova and Ukraine | No roam like at home: price set by your tariff. EU rules still require an information text and, as a rule, a default data spending cap; according to Arcep, the default in France is 60 euros |
If you are visiting Switzerland with an EU plan, the rules for that direction are covered in EU roaming rules: where it stays free and where it gets costly.
What protection do Swiss rules give you?
The revised Telecommunications Act, in force since 1 January 2021, sets Swiss roaming rules (Article 12abis of the Act and Articles 10a to 10d of the Ordinance on Telecommunications Services); according to OFCOM, these provisions have applied since 1 July 2021. They do not lower prices, but they make costs visible and let you cap them.
- Information text: each time you go abroad, your provider must immediately send a free, clear text listing the maximum charges for calls, texts and data.
- Cost limit: a roaming cost limit must be set when you sign the contract, and you can change it at any time. According to the explanatory report on the ordinance, roaming is blocked once the limit is reached.
- Precise billing: roaming must be billed by the exact second or kilobyte.
- Roaming add-ons: you choose when an add-on starts, and its credit may not expire for 12 months. According to the report, you must be able to buy one without data roaming on.
- Planes and ships: roaming there is blocked by default and can be switched on and off separately. The report says this also covers satellite connections and that their costs count towards your cost limit.
- Freedom of choice: your provider may not actively obstruct or prevent you from using roaming services offered by other providers.
There is no legal price cap for roaming in Switzerland, so the cost limit is your most important tool.
Included roaming, add-on or travel eSIM: which suits your trip?
The options differ in how you pay, whether your Swiss number stays reachable and how well you can control costs. Ombudscom advises checking your provider's roaming rates first and considering an add-on for browsing and calls abroad.
| Option | How you pay | Your Swiss number | Suits you if … | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming included in your plan | In the monthly fee, within the included allowance | Reachable | you often take short trips to the EU | Countries and data included, and what applies afterwards |
| Your provider's roaming add-on | One-off price in advance | Reachable | you are planning one specific trip | Pick the start date; credit valid 12 months; check countries |
| Standard rates without an add-on | Per second or kilobyte at your tariff | Reachable | you only make the odd short call | Several times the domestic price; only the cost limit stops it |
| Travel eSIM from another provider | Data bundle in advance | Reachable only if your Swiss SIM stays switched on | you need a lot of data and have no EU roaming | Data roaming off on the Swiss SIM; read the eSIM's terms |
| Extra contract in the country you visit | Local tariff of that country | An additional local number | you regularly travel to the same country | Contract length and how to cancel there |
| Wi-Fi only, data roaming off | No data roaming charges | Calls and texts still work, at your tariff | you hardly need data on the go | Download maps and tickets beforehand |
Five questions to ask yourself
- Does your plan include EU roaming for every country on your route?
- How many days are you away, and what do you need data for: maps, timetables, messaging?
- Do you need to be reachable on your Swiss number, for example for text codes from your bank?
- Do you travel to the same neighbouring country regularly?
- What is the most you will spend? That is your cost limit.
To compare a data bundle from another provider, see Travel eSIM: how to compare plans and avoid costly mistakes.
How do you set the cost limit, add-on and phone before you leave?
- Open your provider's account or app, check the cost limit and set it to the most you want to spend.
- If your plan has no EU roaming, buy an add-on and set it to start on your first day abroad.
- Switch off voicemail before you go. According to OFCOM, listening to it from abroad can incur roaming charges; ombudscom adds that recordings are billed too.
iPhone: turn off data roaming
- Open Settings › Mobile (or Mobile Data).
- Turn on Mobile Data, then tap Mobile Data Options. With Dual SIM, first tap the number you want to modify.
- Turn off Data Roaming. To use a roaming add-on, turn it back on when you arrive, along with any settings your provider suggests.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.apple.com
Android (Google Pixel): turn off roaming
- Open Settings › Network and Internet › SIMs.
- Switch off Roaming. This option lets your phone send data over other operators' networks.
- Under Network, you can pick your network operator from the available networks if needed.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.google.com
Google notes that these options vary by phone and Android version. Other manufacturers often use different menu names; check your phone maker's help pages.
Tip: Data roaming only affects mobile data; the information text shows what calls and texts cost. Bank codes sent by text still go to your Swiss number, so see Before a trip: prepare your digital access and backup options.
Border traps: why does your phone roam when you are at home?
Mobile networks do not stop exactly at the border. OFCOM explains that a phone near the border can involuntarily connect to a foreign network. This can happen in places such as Basel, Geneva, Ticino or the Rhine valley. Roaming charges then apply although you are in Switzerland.
OFCOM advises switching off the roaming function in your settings. Some contracts already block data roaming by default. The information text is a useful warning sign: if it arrives while you are at home, your phone is on a foreign network.
| Situation | What applies | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| At home near the border | Your phone may connect to a foreign network, and roaming rates apply | Keep roaming off while you are in Switzerland |
| Plane, ship, satellite | Blocked by default; once enabled, costs count towards your cost limit | Leave it blocked or enable it briefly and deliberately |
| Voicemail abroad | Listening and recordings can trigger roaming charges | Switch voicemail off temporarily before you travel |
| Frequent trips to the same country | Every trip runs on your roaming tariff | Consider an extra contract in the neighbouring country |
What can you do if the bill is still too high?
Keep the information text, the bill and a screenshot of your cost limit. OFCOM recommends talking to your provider first. If that does not help, ombudscom, which mediates on behalf of OFCOM, can step in. According to OFCOM, its website is available only in German, French and Italian.
- You must first have tried, provably, to settle with your provider.
- Your last contact on the matter must be no more than 12 months ago.
- No court or arbitration tribunal may be dealing, or have dealt, with it.
- The processing fee is 20 Swiss francs.
For large amounts, an advice service can assess your case; this guide is not legal advice.
Common mistakes
- Assuming roam like at home also works with a Swiss plan.
- Setting a generous cost limit at signing and never reviewing it.
- Starting an add-on too early, so part of it expires before the trip.
- Leaving data roaming on at home near the border.
- Keeping voicemail on abroad.
Your checklist
The checkboxes are for your own reference. No entries are sent to us. To keep a copy, print the page or save it as a PDF using your browser menu.
Common questions
Does EU roam like at home work with a Swiss SIM?
No. The EU rule protects customers of providers based in the EU. With a Swiss plan, you pay what your tariff says, and Switzerland has no legal price cap for roaming. Whether your plan includes EU roaming, and for which countries, is shown in your tariff details or online account. Check before every trip.
What happens when I reach my cost limit?
Roaming is blocked, according to the explanatory report on the Swiss ordinance. You can change the limit with your provider at any time; if you set it below what you have already used, access is blocked as quickly as technically possible. The limit applies per billing period, so leave a buffer if you rely on data abroad.
How do I stop my phone roaming at home near the border?
OFCOM advises switching off the roaming function in your settings while you are in Switzerland. A warning sign is a roaming information text although you have not travelled. On a Google Pixel, you can also pick your operator's network under Network. Turn roaming back on before a trip if you need it.
Is a travel eSIM worth it for a holiday in the EU?
It depends on your plan. If it has no EU roaming and you need a lot of data, compare the total price of a travel eSIM with your provider's add-on. Your Swiss number stays reachable only while your Swiss SIM remains switched on. Keep data roaming off on your Swiss SIM while your data runs over the eSIM.
Sources and further information
Primary sources from public authorities, consumer organisations and providers. A source may be in another language; follow the guidance that applies to your service and where you live.
- OFCOM, Swiss Federal Office of Communications: RoamingSource review date:
- DETEC: Explanatory report on the revised telecoms ordinances, 26 October 2020 (in German)Source review date:
- ombudscom, Swiss telecoms conciliation body: Stays abroad (in German)Source review date:
- ombudscom: Conciliation procedure, conditions and fee (in German)Source review date:
- Your Europe (EU): Roaming, using your mobile phone in the EUSource review date:
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2022/612 on roamingSource review date:
- Arcep (France): Roaming outside the European Union (in French)Source review date:
- Apple Support: About mobile data roaming options for your iPhone and iPadSource review date:
- Pixel Phone Help: Connect to mobile networks on a Pixel phoneSource review date:
