SIM Card, Did Vodafone opt out of EU free roaming? SIM for CZ, Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, UK

Posted by TJym (Southern California ) on 08/15/18 01:13 AM

Hello, My first destination is Prague, then going to Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, UK.

I want to buy a pre-paid SIM card in Prague for my Iphone 5s, a GSM unlocked Iphone that I've successfully used in the past in Western Europe. I've used SIM cards from Vodafone, Orange, etc Spain, France Italy in the past 4 years.
I would prefer a Vodafone Prepaid SIM card. But is it true that Vodafone Czech Republic has implemented a limited roaming service to other countries I'm visiting? If that's true. Then I'll get the T-mobile SIM card. What info is needed from me to get a SIM card in Prague? Passport only?

Please suggest options or correct me if I'm wrong about Vodafone opting out of giving free roaming in EU.

Posted by Andrew H.

Portland, Oregon

08/15/18 01:49 AM

5687 posts

It seems EU roaming is indeed blocked for the "visitor SIMs" that Czech Vodafone offers. But you aren't required to buy one of those. Just buy a "regular" prepaid SIM like a Czech citizen would buy, at a Vodafone store:

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Czech_Republic

You can always buy a SIM from a different country. I've used a Dutch Vodafone on two trips now - bought it on eBay, never used it yet in the Netherlands! You can still buy it from eBay seller "cheapeusims" - search for "vodafone you sim." Here's my write-up from last year. I used the SIM again in Portugal in May. I see no reason why it wouldn't work in Czech Republic:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/dutch-vodafone-sim-card-for-use-in-europe

Posted by TJym OP

Southern California

08/15/18 06:01 AM

8 posts

Hi Andrew, well I can tell the Vodafone sales person that I don’t want the “visitor SIM Card” just the SIM card with EU free roaming. But then it will be up to him or her to comply with my request. Salesperson could still give me a Visitor Sim Card that 4 Days later is not gonna work in Vienna. I can always try google translate on the SIM card packaging, if SIM is with roaming or without.

Posted by JG

45N, 93W (Minnesota Gneiss)

08/15/18 02:30 PM

55 posts

Any such issues with the Netherlands SIM card for use in Spain? I am awaiting delivery of a 'You' plan SIM card for use in an upcoming trip to Spain, (with an unlocked GSM phone).

Andrew, in a previous message you linked here, you mentioned that you found the Vodafone app elsewhere on the web. Do you recall where?

Thanks,
John

Posted by Andrew H.

Portland, Oregon

08/15/18 04:29 PM

5687 posts

Any such issues with the Netherlands SIM card for use in Spain? I am awaiting delivery of a 'You' plan SIM card for use in an upcoming trip to Spain, (with an unlocked GSM phone).

I used mine at the Madrid airport briefly. So yes, the Dutch Vodafone SIM will work in Spain.

Andrew, in a previous message you linked here, you mentioned that you found the Vodafone app elsewhere on the web. Do you recall where?

No, I don't recall, unfortunately. I downloaded it from some third party, because as you have found, you can't get it directly from the Google Play store (unless you are in the Netherlands!). I poked around and found some third party website that had it, but by now that version of the app must be long expired.

On my last trip, I didn't even bother with the app - just used the My Vodafone account I'd created on their Dutch website and logged in on Chrome using my phone or laptop - Chrome translates the Dutch to English automatically. But if you really want/need the app, you might find it by googling like I did.