The Best EU Roaming SIM Cards for Students Travelling Across Europe

There are many unique aspects about Europe. But one thing that stands out from the rest is the connectivity. 

You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in three different countries in Europe. That too when traveling by road! 

While super-exciting on paper, this type of travel comes with its own set of challenges. 

Roaming is one of them. 

If you’re a student in the EU, then you may have come across this problem quite often, since you will have to visit different countries in the EU. 

It also doesn’t make sense to purchase a different plan for each country you visit to tackle roaming charges. 

So, here are our student mobile plan recommendations for those who frequently travel across the EU. These mobile plans are handpicked, considering the needs and budget of the average student in the EU. 

The Importance of a Student Mobile Plan with EU Roaming Data 

Picking the right student mobile plan is important. This is because you’re going to need a phone plan that’s going to help you stay connected throughout the duration of your program. 

EU roaming data might sound like a good-to-have feature, but you never know when the need arises. 

You might have to travel for an internship. 

Or participate in a conference related to your field of study. 

At moments like this, it’s easy to just enable data roaming and stay connected rather than spend extra for a roaming plan or a local SIM/eSIM. 

Also, a student mobile plan with roaming data gives you the peace of mind to focus on the purpose of your trip rather than worry about bill shock. 

Reasons Students Travel Across Europe 

There are 27 countries in the EU, and there are many reasons you may have to visit one or more of these countries during the course of your program. 

We’ve listed all the possible reasons why you, as a student, might have to travel to other countries in the EU. 

Erasmus+ Programme 

Erasmus is short for the European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. Started in 1987, the program gives eligible students the opportunity to visit other European countries to pursue higher education. The duration of stay through Erasmus+ can be anything between two months and two years. 

Research 

You may have to visit various universities, libraries, and other facilities across Europe as part of your research. The duration of these visits can be anything between a few weeks and a few months. 

Student Exchange Programme 

You may have to spend a semester or an academic year in a partner institution as part of your course or due to a bilateral university agreement. Sometimes you may have to move to multiple countries to complete your course. A student mobile plan with EU roaming benefits comes in handy in this scenario. 

Internships

Many programs in European universities include internships in partner universities in a different part of the region. This often prompts students to travel to a different European country for up to six months. 

Academic Conferences & Competitions 

This is common among those who do postgraduate programs. Students are often asked to represent their institutions in conferences and competitions held by other universities in the EU. These are usually short trips.  

Availability of Unique Resources 

Students may have to spend time near specific educational resources that are only found in a certain country. These resources can be anything, from archives and field research locations to museums and archaeological sites. The duration of stay depends on the level of research required and can be as much as 6 months. 

What is the EU’s Roam-Like-At-Home Policy? 

Roaming in the EU might sound like a scary and expensive concept. But the reality is far from that. 

All member countries of the EU follow the roam-like-at-home rule. According to this rule, anyone traveling to another country in the EU can use mobile services without having to pay extra. 

In layman’s words, you will be charged your home network’s rates for calls, texts, and data in any European country you visit, and you don’t have to purchase any packs. This rule was introduced in June 2017 so that citizens of the EU can enjoy unrestricted mobile services when they visit a member country. 

Note that the roam-like-at-home rules do not apply to the United Kingdom, Turkey, Monaco, Switzerland, and Andorra. You will need a valid roaming plan when visiting these destinations, regardless of where you’re from. 

Here’s an example to help you understand roam-like-at-home better. 

Sam is a student from the UK and has a Lyca Mobile UK Plan Unlimited that has 35 GB of roaming data for the EU and India. Since he has dedicated roaming data, he can use high-speed internet in any EU country without any worry. However, had he picked a plan without roaming benefits from any other operator, he would have had to pay standard rates for incoming/outgoing calls, outgoing SMS, and data. 

The Best Student Mobile Plans with EU Roaming Data 

Now that you know about roaming in the EU and the different reasons why students travel, let’s look at some recommendations. 

Lyca Mobile has three student mobile plans at attractive prices. Here is a table comparing all three student phone plans from Lyca Mobile. 

These PAYG SIM-only deals are absolute value for money, especially for students. Here’s why: 

• Dedicated roaming data for the EU without additional charges 
• Monthly data allocation at 4G/5G speeds. 
• International minutes to countries in the EU, Asia, Switzerland, the Americas, and Oceania. 
• Plans can be bought without submitting any documents. 
• Contract-free plans available at massive discounts. 

Conclusion 

The EU offers plenty of opportunities for students to visit a foreign country to pursue higher studies. Numerous challenges arise in this situation, and the need for a valid mobile plan is one of them. 

The inclusion of the UK in the Erasmus+ program from 2027 makes the need for a student mobile plan with roaming data even more important. 

Lyca Mobile has three value-focused student mobile plans with all the essentials, like high-speed data, international calling, and roaming data. You can get one without any lengthy contracts or hidden charges for less than 15 quid. 

Get a Lyca Mobile student plan today! With one, you can focus on acing the program, while it ensures that you stay connected wherever you are.