Using your phone abroad: How to avoid expensive roaming traps 

The bags are packed, the holiday anticipation is high – but as soon as you cross the Swiss border, the familiar question arises: how can I use my phone abroad without receiving an astronomically high bill upon my return?

Whether it's for navigating to the hotel, posting holiday photos on Instagram, or making a WhatsApp call to those back home: mobile internet has become indispensable abroad as well. However, since Switzerland is not a member of the EU, completely different rules and prices often apply to Swiss mobile customers abroad. In this guide, we show you how roaming works in Switzerland, where the biggest cost traps lurk, and how you can surf abroad completely relaxed and affordably with swype.

What does roaming mean and why is it so expensive for Swiss users?

«Roaming» simply means using your mobile phone on a foreign network. As soon as your smartphone can no longer log into the Swiss network, it automatically looks for the strongest foreign partner network provider. Since the legal upper limit for roaming charges within the EU does not automatically apply to Switzerland, many traditional providers continue to charge very high rates for every megabyte consumed or minute of conversation. Without a suitable add-on package, watching a short video or downloading a map can quickly cost dozens of francs.

The most common traps abroad

To avoid a rude awakening after your holiday, you should take a few simple precautions before your trip:

• Background data: Many apps download updates, sync photos, or receive messages even when your phone is in your pocket. If data roaming is activated, this consumes valuable data without you noticing.
• The voicemail: Did you know that messages left on your voicemail while you are abroad can also generate roaming costs? This happens because the call is first forwarded abroad and then routed back to Switzerland.
• Border zones and ferries: If you are near the Swiss border (for example on Lake Constance or in Ticino), your phone can unintentionally log into a foreign network. The situation is even more expensive on ferries in the Mediterranean, where pricey satellite networks often active themselves.

Carefree Surfing in Europe and Worldwide with swype

Would you like to use your phone abroad and maintain absolute cost control? swype offers you the most modern and flexible solution on the market. With us, there are no hidden costs and guaranteed no subsequent bills.

Unlimited roaming included in our tariffs

If you travel regularly in Europe, you don't even have to book extra roaming packages with swype. With our swype surf europe or swype europe tariffs, unlimited surfing – and with swype europe also calling – in the EU/UK region as well as in the USA and Canada is already completely included. You simply use your phone on holiday just as carefree as at home in Switzerland.

Flexibly add boosters via app in seconds

Do you use the normal Swiss tariff but are spontaneously heading to Italy, France, or Germany for a weekend? No problem! In the swype app, you can add the right roaming booster at any time and in seconds. You pay for the booster directly in advance via TWINT or credit card. With the booster, you use unlimited data for 24 hours. It renews automatically until you deactivate it. This prevents unexpected costs and ensures you always maintain full cost control.

You can find out how to set up swype on your smartphone and manage your tariffs step by step in our tutorial. Enjoy your holiday to the fullest – completely without roaming worries!