The move affects anyone who signed up with EE after 7 July 2021, or who started a new contract since then. They will be charged £2 a day to use their call, text and data allowances in the European Union (EU).

EE, which is part of BT, previously said it had no plans to reintroduce roaming charges in Europe. But it changed its mind and in June last year announced that roaming charges would re-start from January, before pushing back the date until today, 3 March.

British holidaymakers have benefited from free roaming costs in the EU since 2017. EU rules meant that UK mobile customers could use their mobile call, text and data allowance in Europe without incurring extra costs. But Brexit means the rule no longer stands.

EE customers can reduce what they pay for roaming by buying a 30-day Roam Abroad Pass for £10 when they go abroad. This will work out cost effective for trips of five days or more.

EE is not the only mobile network to have reintroduced roaming charges. Some Vodafone customers have been paying for EU roaming since 31 January, with charges starting from £1 a day for a single day pass for use in the EU.

The charges apply to new and upgrading customers who signed up or changed their plan after 11 August 2021. Three will start charging for EU roaming from 23 May 2022.

Virgin Media O2 is the only network that has committed to not reintroducing EU roaming charges, meaning customers of both Virgin Mobile and O2 will maintain their inclusive roaming in Europe.