How does your plan work in the EU?
You can now use your Virgin Mobile allowance anywhere in the EU with Roam Free with EU Roaming Included.
This means that while you’re travelling in an EU country, you’ll be able to use your Virgin Mobile allowance of minutes, texts and data, just as you would at home subject to fair use limits.
For example, imagine you’re in France…
You can use your plan to call or text a French number
Call or text home
…or even call or text a third EU country just like as if you were using your plan at home
Remember, if you're calling or texting from Republic of Ireland our standard international rates still apply.
And it’s the same with your Data usage
You can use your data allowance (subject to fair use limits) when visiting any of the listed EU countries.
Unlimited plans
Your unlimited calls and texts travel to the EU with you. And you can use a generous amount of your unlimited data allowance at no extra cost.
5GB Freedom plans
When you’re hopping around the EU, your monthly call, text and data allowance works the same as it would in Ireland for no extra cost as well.
5GB Plan
30 Day contract
Inclusive Monthly Allowance in Republic of Ireland and EU
Minutes | Texts | Data |
250 | 250 | 5GB |
All of our Standard Virgin Mobile Rates can be found here.
Unlimited Plan
30 Day contract
Inclusive Monthly Allowance in Republic of Ireland and EU
Minutes | Texts | Data |
Unlimited* | Unlimited* | Unlimited* |
A 6.8GB monthly Fair Usage Data allowance will apply to your EU Roaming Data Usage on your Unlimited Plan when in the EU. This means you can use up to 6.8GB of your 30GB monthly allowance while roaming in the EU without incurring any roaming surcharges. All of our Standard Virgin Mobile Rates can be found here.
Once your allowance has run out, you can still use your mobile wherever you are in the EU, and pay no more for your minutes, texts and data than you would at home, subject to fair use limits.
Where is EU Roaming Included?
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech-Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Martinique, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saint Martin, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Canary Islands), Sweden, United Kingdom.
Roam Free With EU Roaming Included is being offered by Virgin Mobile in accordance with Regulation (EU) 531/2012 and the commission implementing regulation of 15/12/2016.
Avail of our add-on for USA and Canada!
We’ve introduced an exciting new add-on, so you can use data, calls and text while travelling in the USA and Canada without blowing your travel budget. Just buy your add-on before you go, letting us know the day you need it from and we’ll make sure it’s activated on time.
So where can you can get it?
• Call telesales on 1800 940 062
• Via your Mobile Admin Portal
This add-on includes:
One-off 500 MB, 100 mins and 100 texts in USA and Canada for €45 (valid for 1 month)
Here’s what you need to know
These one off add-ons are available to Virgin Mobile customers who have an active subscription and are for data usage when roaming in the USA or Canada. Once your add-on is activated you’ll receive a text message to let you know.
Your add-on will last for a month once activated, so to get the most out of it make sure you ask for it to be activated just in time for when you travel. We’ll send you a warning text message when 80% of your allowance is used, and again when it is fully consumed. Just remember that any unused allowance will expire with your add-on after the month is up.
Need a new add-on when you’re away? Just contact Customer Care on Chat or through 1908. Our tip: Calls to Customer Care cost €1.99/min from the USA or Canada, so using Online Chat over WiFi is the cheapest way get a new add-on if you’re already away.
What will the allowances in the USA/Canada only add-ons allow me to do?
Check out the table below to give you an idea of what you can do with all that lovely data! The figures below are based on normal usage assumptions.
*Assumptions: E-Mail – Average Size 100KB without attachment and 1.2MB with attachment ; Web Browsing – 1.6MB per Webpage: Facebook – 100MB per Hour ; Streaming Music – 1MB/Minute ; Streaming Video – 5MB/Minute.
My add-on isn’t working. Why is that?
There are a couple of reasons why your Add-On might not be working.
Firstly, make sure that you have turned on data roaming on your phone. Secondly, in some instances when you travel abroad for the first time, your Internet may not work straight away. This just means you may need to manually enter in your APN (internet) settings. Our phone guide will help you through the process based on the model and operating system of your handset. To get started, click here.
Finally, there is a data roaming limit of €50 (ex VAT) automatically applied to your Virgin Mobile account. If you go over this spend when roaming, your data roaming will be blocked and your Add-On won’t work. To remove the limit, contact customer care on 1800923003.
Tips for using your phone abroad
Every Virgin Media Plan is already set up for roaming, so all you have to remember is to pack your charger. We’ve got it from there.
Want to keep your data to a minimum while wandering abroad?
Make (WiFi) connections
The best way to save data is to make sure you’re operating your mobile through WiFi hotspots. Most hotels offer WiFi networks to their guests at no extra cost (check with your hotel). The same is true with many coffee shops and restaurants.
Put watching videos on pause
Streaming videos or radio stations also eat up loads of data. Make sure that you are on a WiFi network if you want to watch TV on your phone. Or download your playlists/Movies before you go!
Turn off automatic App updates
App updates can burn through data, so it’s best to wait until you are on a WiFi network before performing an update.
On Apple phones:
Go to Settings/iTunes & App Store/Use Mobile Data and turn to “off”.
On Android :
Store/MyApps&Games/Settings/Auto-update apps and set to Wifi Only
Need to call us while you're away?
Calling from the EU:
1908
Free of charge
Calling from outside the EU:
+353896191908
Standard roaming rates apply
You can also contact us on chat:
If you lose your phone while abroad, call us immediately so we can block others from using it.
Roaming Terms and Conditions
Roaming in the EU
The fine print about Roam Free with EU Roaming Included
The provision of Roam Like At Home is limited to Customers who are normally resident or have stable links with the Republic of Ireland.
The service is restricted to customers who are normally resident or have stable links entailing frequent and substantial presence in the Republic of Ireland. If your billing data indicates abusive or anomalous usage of roaming within the EU, Virgin Media may request that you provide us with evidence demonstrating that you are normally resident or have other stable links to Ireland. Suitable forms of evidence include:
· a personal declaration that you are resident in or have stable links to the Republic of Ireland;
· presentation of any valid document which proves that you have stable links;
· details of your address and/or details showing that services have been provided to you at the given address (e.g. a utility bill);
· a declaration or other proof from your employer or education provider within the Republic of Ireland;
· evidence that you have been posted in the Republic of Ireland;
· evidence that you have registered with a local council or any other public authority in the Republic of Ireland;
· evidence that you have registered in a population registry indicating that you are permanently residing in the Republic of Ireland;
· additional evidence of employment by a company in Northern Ireland;
· any other reasonable evidence that proves that you have a stable link or permanent residence, such as a valid property rental agreement;
If under those circumstances you fail to provide such evidence, we reserve the right to apply surcharges for any further roaming activity, details of which can be found here.
The provision of Roam Like At Home is limited to periodic roaming only.
This means that surcharges, details of which can be found here, can be applied if you consume more voice, text or data services while roaming in the EU that at home or elsewhere and spend more time logged-on to EU networks than on home or non-EU networks over the previous 4 months.
A fair usage data limit applies for unlimited customers when roaming in the EU.
Charges will be incurred for EU data roaming usage in excess of this limit. The amount of the allowance can be found in the Plan Description or, for existing customers, by logging in your Business Mobile admin Portal here.
In addition to the above, Virgin Media can also withdraw access to the Roam Like at Home service where evidence arises of abusive or anomalous use. The following usage behaviour would constitute evidence of abusive or anomalous use :
· long periods of inactivity of your SIM card where the usage is mostly or exclusively while roaming in the EU over the previous 4 months.
· subscription and sequential use of multiple SIM cards by the same customer while roaming.
In cases where your billing data indicates a risk of abusive or anomalous use of the roam like at home service, we will notify you that absent a change in your usage patterns over an additional two-week observation period, a surcharge will be applied for further use of the relevant EU roaming service. These surcharges will be lifted once your usage no longer indicates a risk of abusive or anomalous usage.
If you wish to make a complaint in relation to the above notification, you can do so by emailing us on mobileservices@virginmedia.ie or calling 1908 and providing details of the complaint, along with suitable evidence that you are not using the service for purposes other than periodic travel.
Roaming surcharges will apply to any usage outside of these fair use policies. Details of the applicable surcharges can be found on our Price List at www.virginmedia.ie.
What does Roam Free with EU Roaming Included mean?
Roam Like At Home means that EU roaming is included in your plan so you can now use the inclusive minutes and texts in your plan while roaming in the EU at no extra cost. For example, if you are roaming in France you can call or text home, call or text another number in France or even another number in a third European Country just like you do at home. These calls and texts come out of your inclusive allowance and once you use up your inclusive allowance either at home or in the EU you will be charged our standard out of bundle rates.
If you are on one of our 5GB Plans you can also use all of your inclusive data allowance while roaming in the EU at no extra cost.
If you are on one of our Unlimited plans, a fair usage data limit applies when you are roaming in the EU. Charges will be incurred for EU data roaming usage in excess of this limit.
The amount of the allowance can be found in your Plan Description or, for existing customers, by logging in your Business Mobile admin Portal here.
Does my plan have EU roaming included?
It sure does. In fact, all Virgin Media plans include Roam Like At Home subject to the Fair Usage Policy.
How much will roaming in the EU cost if I use more than my inclusive allowance?
If you are roaming in the EU on an Unlimited Plan and you go over your inclusive allowance for voice and text, you will be charged our standard out-of-bundle rates. If you go over your EU Data Roaming Allowance, you will be charged EU roaming data surcharges. All of our rates and surcharges can be found here.
I'm on an Unlimited Plan, why can't I use my full data allowance for EU roaming?
The EU Commission has put in place a fair use policy that allows operators that offer plans with large data allowances to limit the amount
available to use from your plan while roaming. This is due to the high cost of roaming data for mobile operators.
If you are on one of our Unlimited plans, a fair usage data limit applies when you are roaming in the EU. Charges will be incurred for
EU data roaming usage in excess of this limit.
The amount of the allowance can be found in your Plan Description or, for existing customers, by logging in your Business Mobile admin Portal here.
If you have concerns that this allowance isn’t enough check out our handy hints for keeping data costs down when roaming.
What destinations does inclusive EU roaming apply in?
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech-Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Martinique, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Saint Martin, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Canary Islands), Sweden, United Kingdom.
Roaming in general
What's the deal with roaming outside of the EU?
Roam Like At Home rates only apply within the EU. If you’re roaming outside of the EU, you’ll be charged the current roaming rates. Don’t worry, they’re still pretty great. Check them out yourself here.
How much will it cost for me to make calls in the country I am visiting?
With Roam Like At Home, you use your plan just as you would right here in Ireland – for no extra cost. 5GB plans won’t see any change at all.
Unlimited Plans have unlimited call and texts and access to the following allowance of data due to a fair use policy;
-53.9GB VOOM Unlimited Plan
-84.7GB VOOM International Plan
-38.5GB VOOM Unlimited Loyalty Plan
-61.6GB VOOM International Loyalty Plan
When you go over these allowances, you will be charged our standard rates which you can find here.
When you travel outside of the EU how much you pay depends on the country you are visiting.
How can I be sure my phone will work when I am abroad?
All Virgin Media Plans are set up for roaming, so unless you have contacted us to specifically request that roaming is barred on your phone then it will work while roaming. Just make sure you’ve turned on data roaming if you want to use data while abroad.
Do I need to select a network when I arrive at my destination?
Nope, this should happen automatically. However, connecting to a foreign network can take as long as 5 to 10 minutes due to the scanning process for available networks. If you do need to manually select a network abroad, go to our Phone guides for specific instructions for your handset.
How do I set up my phone for data roaming?
Make sure that you have turned on data roaming on your phone if you want to data roaming when away. In some instances your Internet may not work straight away when you go abroad. If turning on data roaming does not resolve the issue then you may need to manually enter in your internet (APN) settings. The Virgin Mobile APN is simply internet - Please see in our Phone guides and go to the section Internet (APN) < Set up Internet on your phone to get the best data experience while roaming.
Data was working on my phone and now it is not working while roaming, what do I do?
In some instances when you travel abroad for the first time, your Internet may not work straight away. That’s OK, it just means you may need to manually enter in your APN (internet) settings. Our phone guide will help you through the process based on the model and operating system of your handset. To get started, click here.
How do I listen to my voicemail from abroad?
Want to check your inbox? Just dial 171 or +353896191171. Just remember, if you retrieve a voicemail while abroad outside of the EU you will incur roaming charges. You can turn off your voicemail by dialling 171 and following the prompts.
How can I control my data costs when going abroad?
When you are visiting the EU you’ll benefit from Roam Free with EU Roaming Included. When you are roaming outside of the EU the most effective method of controlling data costs is by switching off Data Roaming. Different mobile phones have different ways to do this, so please use our Phone Guide.
Is there a data roaming limit applied to my Virgin Mobile account?
Yes, there is a data roaming limit of €50 (ex VAT) automatically applied to your Virgin Mobile account. If you go over this spend when roaming, your data roaming will stop working. However, we’ll be happy to change this limit for you. Visit our contact page, speak to a member of our team, and we’ll make sure your holiday is data-worry-free.
Will Virgin notify me of my data spend when I am using data abroad?
Absolutely. We will send you two text messages: one when you have reached 80% of your limit, and another when you have used the full €50 (€61.50 including VAT) worth of data abroad.
Can I increase my data roaming limit?
Not a problem. If you would like to have this limit increased, you can contact us and we'll be happy to change it for you.
Can I remove roaming from my account?
You can remove roaming from your account at any time. Just contact a customer care team member, and they’ll make the change for you.
How can I contact Customer Care when I am abroad?
You can call customer care by dialling 1908 or by dialling +353 896191908 from your Virgin Mobile phone.
What do I do if my SIM card and phone has been lost or stolen?
You can log into My Virgin Media to report it stolen. It’s best to contact us straight away so we can stop any unauthorised usage from occurring on your account. We can also issue a new SIM so you can continue to use your mobile number with Virgin Mobile.