Roaming tariffs abroad

Roaming describes the process when you use your mobile phone in a foreign mobile phone provider’s network. The mobile network provider charges Swisscom for your Internet usage, calls made and messages sent on the foreign network.

Swisscom usually works with at least one local network provider in the individual countries to optimise coverage, especially in remote rural areas.

The simplest way is to switch to a blue Mobile subscription that includes an allowance for Internet, calls and SMS/MMS abroad. If your subscription does not include a data allowance or you have used your credit before you travel, you need to purchase a package so that you can use your mobile phone abroad. These packages are valid for 12 months, so you have a year to use the credit you purchase. You can also define a roaming cost limit in the Swisscom Cockpit under ‘Costs’.

Check the tariff overview to see the costs for using your mobile phone abroad. You can select your destination and your mobile subscription to see at a glance how much credit the relevant subscription includes for surfing, calls and SMS. You can check your available credit and your current roaming limits in the Swisscom Cockpit(opens in new tab).

There are many reasons why Swisscom data packages are still a great choice:

• Simplicity: data packages are quick and easy to purchase via the Swisscom Cockpit(opens in new tab). Everything is on the same SIM card, and there is no need for additional activation or deactivation.
• Validity: Swisscom data packages are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, while travel eSIMs often have a shorter validity period (up to 30 days). Local SIM cards often also have limited validity and may need replacing or topping up after a certain period of time.
• Service: our Swisscom Service is available 24/7.
• Quality: thanks to our many roaming partners, you benefit from exceptional coverage while travelling. Depending on your destination, travel eSIMs or local SIM cards may not offer the same network quality or coverage, especially in more remote areas.
• Data protection: Swisscom is fully compliant with the Swiss Data Protection Act. This is not a given with travel eSIM providers. There is therefore a risk that your user data could be misused for other purposes. With locally purchased SIM cards, there are no guarantees that user data will be handled with the same care, as different countries are subject to different data protection laws.

Shortly before you reach your roaming limit for surfing or calls/SMS/MMS, you will be notified by SMS (with 20% credit remaining). Once the limit is reached, you will receive another SMS, after which you will no longer be able to make calls or access the mobile Internet. For cost control reasons, you can only surf and make calls again once you have increased your roaming limit in the Swisscom Cockpit(opens in new tab).