Travelling outside the EU with a Dutch SIM: what does it really cost?

While your Dutch SIM card will work almost anywhere in the world, data roaming costs can be eye-wateringly steep.

Here’s what your Dutch SIM actually costs beyond Europe’s borders, and how to make sure you’re not caught off guard by unexpected charges.

Do Dutch SIM cards actually work outside the EU?

Yes, in most cases, your Dutch SIM will connect to the local network in most countries without any extra setup. If your provider has a roaming agreement with a carrier at your destination, your phone will find a signal automatically.

That covers the vast majority of popular travel destinations, including the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.

The moment you land, your phone will pick up a signal through your provider’s international roaming partners, and you’ll be able to make calls, send messages, and use data just as you would at home.

The catch, of course, is what that costs.

The EU’s Roam Like at Home policy means that when you travel to any of the 27 EU member states, you can use your mobile phone without paying any extra roaming charges.

Outside the EU, that protection disappears entirely. Without a bundle, mobile data abroad can cost as much as €5 per MB, with some providers charging even more.

Which countries are not included in EU roaming?

While the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” policy has made travelling within the continent a breeze, the boundaries of where your Dutch bundle actually works are more restricted than many realise.

Essentially, any country that is not an official member of the EU or the European Economic Area falls into a high-cost category.

To manage these costs, Dutch providers typically categorise the world into four distinct tiers known as roaming zones:

• Zone 1: This applies to the EU, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. As of 2026, many providers also include Ukraine and Moldova. You can use your Dutch mobile bundle here at no extra cost.
• Zone 2: This tier includes major travel hubs (like the United States and Canada) and countries bordering the EU (like Turkey). Without a bundle, costs here take a sharp jump; for instance, many providers charge around €1.25 to €1.50 per minute for calls and roughly €2.50 per MB for data.
• Zone 3: This represents the rest of the world, and covers the vast majority of Asia, Africa, and South America. Outgoing calls can soar to €2.50 per minute or more, and data prices may even hit €5.00 per MB.
• Zone 4: This zone applies whenever you connect to a satellite network on a cruise ship, ferry, or aeroplane. These connections are the most expensive, with data rates reaching €10.00 to €15.00 per MB and calls costing upwards of €7.00 per minute.

How much do Dutch providers charge for data roaming?

To absolutely no one’s surprise, data roaming can be quite pricey.

Most major Dutch providers charge somewhere between €2.50 and €7.50 per MB of data outside the EU — and that upper end applies far more often than you’d hope.

For example, KPN’s standard out-of-bundle rate is €2.50 per MB in most non-EU countries, rising to €7.50 per MB in certain destinations across Africa, South Asia, and parts of the Americas.

Vodafone follows the same structure, with €2.50 per MB for most “World” destinations, and €7.50 per MB in their higher-cost “Exceptions” zone.

Meanwhile, Simyo’s standard non-EU rate sits right in the middle of that range, at €5 per MB.

To put these costs into perspective, let’s assume you’re using data roaming to load Google Maps. A quick 5 MB navigation session might seem harmless, but at the €7.50-per-MB tier, you’re looking at a €37.50 bill.

Roaming costs explained: what you actually pay outside the EU

To understand why your bill can skyrocket so quickly, you have to look at the breakdown of how data, SMS charges, and call minutes are consumed.

When you step outside Zone 1, you are typically billed on a pay-per-use basis unless you have specifically activated a bundle.

Mobile data costs

These tend to make up the bulk of your roaming charges, and the danger isn’t just the data you’re actively consuming.

Background usage, such as automatic updates and location services, can lead to unexpected charges. Your phone doesn’t know (or care) that each megabyte is costing you money.

Calls and SMS charges

Of course, data isn’t the only way to rack up a hefty mobile bill.

When you’re outside the EU, you’ll also be charged for:

• Outgoing calls: For Zone 2 countries, you can expect to pay between €1.25 and €1.50 per minute. If you are in Zone 3, these costs often spike to €2.50 per minute. In extreme cases, such as calling from a cruise ship or aeroplane, rates can even reach €4.50 to €7.00 per minute.
• Incoming calls: Unlike in the EU, you pay to receive a call. If a telemarketer calls you while you’re in Thailand, and you make the mistake of picking up, you’re the one paying the international roaming fee for the privilege of talking to them.
• Voicemails: This is possibly the sneakiest charge of all, as you may not even be aware that you’re being charged. If someone calls you and it goes to voicemail, you are often charged for the “international leg” of the call twice; once for the call travelling to your phone abroad, and once for it being sent back to the Dutch voicemail server.

Roaming bundles vs travel eSIMs: which is best for you?

Both options are significantly better than paying steep out-of-bundle costs, but they suit quite different situations.

Roaming bundles tend to be a solid option for people who want to keep their Dutch number active. This is crucial for receiving SMS verification codes (2FA), messages from your bank and tax office, or staying reachable for emergencies.

However, roaming bundles may not be available for all destinations, and can be much pricier than travel eSIMs.

If you’re a tourist or heavy data user, travel eSIMs are generally the better choice. Depending on the provider, you have a choice between country-specific or regional plans, and data limits tend to be on the high end.

Helaas, most travel eSIMs come with “data-only” profiles, so you won’t have access to a local number or be able to make traditional calls.

Here’s how to avoid a massive phone bill abroad

While the thought of a hefty roaming bill is scary, it’s not a given, and there are ways to avoid unnecessary charges.

1. Turn off data roaming when it’s not in use

This might sound like an obvious choice, but you’d be surprised at how easy it is to overlook while you’re travelling.

The simplest solution is to go into your mobile settings before you leave the Netherlands and switch your data roaming off. You can always briefly turn it back on if and when you need it.

2. Opt for a data cap

Most Dutch providers let you set a personal data cap or spending limit through their app, and it’s worth doing this before you travel. These typically cost around €0.50 to €1.

Without one, out-of-bundle charges beyond the EU rack up quickly, and there’s no mandated cut-off at €50 the way there is within Europe.

3. Rely on public Wi-Fi when available

Wi-Fi hotspots are your best friend outside the EU, with most hotels, cafés, airports, and public transport networks offering free access.

If you’re travelling between hotspots, download offline maps before you travel, cache your playlists, and save anything you might need to access without a connection.

4. Consider a travel eSIM

If you want mobile data without the hefty price tag that a roaming bundle usually comes with, then opt for a travel eSIM.

With a dual SIM phone, you can keep your own SIM active for calls and verification codes while the eSIM handles everything else. Setup takes a few minutes at home before you fly, and prices are a fraction of out-of-bundle roaming rates.

Has your Dutch SIM ever given you a nasty surprise outside the EU? Share your experience, and any tips you’ve picked up, in the comments below.