Making phone calls and sending texts to EU and EEA countries after the UK leaves the EU
How leaving the EU affects the cost of making phone calls and sending texts from the UK to EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
New rules for January 2021
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.
This page tells you what you’ll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
Check what else you need to do during the transition period.
During the transition period
During the transition period until 31 December 2020, the cost of making fixed-line and mobile calls and sending texts from the UK to the EU and EEA countries are capped. This means that calls generally cost no more than 19 pence per minute, with texts costing no more than 6 pence per message. These caps came into effect in May 2019.
Using internet-based communication services like WhatsApp or Skype may be a cheaper (or free) option than making fixed-line or mobile calls or sending texts.
From 1 January 2021
The cap on the cost of calls and texts from the UK to the EU and EEA countries may no longer apply from 1 January 2021. Before you make a call or send a text to the EU or EEA countries, check the cost with your fixed-line or mobile operator.
For more information see Ofcom’s Calls and texts to other EU countries.