My husband and I will be in the UK for 10 months with some trips to mainland Europe. We currently have Verizon phones. What would be the most economical way to manage our cell phone. We can't get the international plan from Verizon because we'll be there for 10 months. We plan on using Whats app for calls and texts but will need data for managing navigation. Is getting an E sim from the UK our best bet and with that would we have a different phone number in the UK? We've had T Mobile previously for our cell carrier which was great when we were in Europe. Unfortunately for us we had spotty coverage at our house with T Mobile and had to switch to Verizon. Thanks
Posted by
Seattle
363 posts
I’m curious how you’re going to be in the UK for 10 months. Do you have a special visa?
Posted by
Singapore
805 posts
I would recommend giffgaff, which is a UK operator which has a generous EU roaming allowance. They do both physical SIMs (which they will deliver overseas) and eSIMs. I am in the UK about five times a year and travel regularly in Europe and use them. The only catch is you have to use the SIM in the UK first before roaming.
@Reederman, it's not clear the OP's nationality, but there are a whole range of visas people may have. For example, if they're Commonwealth citizens (ie Canadian, Australian etc) and they have British parents or grandparents they can live in the UK (and may indeed be dual nationals). Or they may have a visa.
If not, the biggest issue may be where you live - if you're looking to rent, landlords will check your immigration status, which is easy now with digital immigration accounts.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thanks for the information Simon. I will check into them. Hopefully we can purchase at the airport. It's good to know they have roaming in Europe.
Posted by
Western Canada
3784 posts
Another vote for giff-gaff.
I’ve used them twice.
Once first activated in the UK, you can roam in the EU with them.
Posted by
Singapore
805 posts
"Hopefully we can purchase at the airport. It's good to know they have roaming in Europe."
Looks like WHSmith would be the only airport outlet. Otherwise it's supermarkets or convenience stores, or you can ask them to post a physical SIM to you.
Obviously if its an eSim you want you can do it all online.
https://www.giffgaff.com/blog/where-can-i-get-a-giffgaff-sim/
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
947 posts
You should be able to use the Verizon international plan for up to 90 days, so no need to purchase at the airport.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thanks for all your replies. Looks like Giffgaff will be what we use.