The Chamber of Labor (AK) advises travelers to check their mobile phone settings before their summer vacation to avoid unexpected roaming charges. Particular caution is required when using mobile phones outside of the European Union, but also on Cruise ships and in aircraft The AK recommends finding out about tariffs early and deactivating data roaming on your mobile phone.
Within the EU, as in Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, the rule “Roam like at Home", which allows consumers to use their mobile phone at national rates. Outside of this zone, however, data transfer costs can quickly skyrocket. Automatic updates and the use of messaging services can also quickly result in high charges. To avoid cost traps, the AK advises dealing exclusively with local WiFi connections and ensure that mobile data roaming is turned off.
Another piece of advice from the AK concerns the Cost limit of 60 euros for data roaming, which applies worldwide. Consumers receive a notification when 80 percent of this limit is reached. While this limit can be lifted, the AK expressly warns against doing so. Furthermore, the experts point out that Mobile box trap If you are called abroad and the call is forwarded to your mobile mailbox, so-called Passive roaming costs corresponding to a call from abroad to Austria. The AK therefore recommends deactivating your voicemail before traveling abroad.
A more reliable method to avoid high costs, be it a Roaming block directly with the mobile operator. Some providers offer such blocks specifically for use outside the EU. This protects against unwanted roaming charges, for example, in border areas, without affecting use within the EU. The AK emphasizes that blocking directly with the operator is more legally secure than deactivating it solely via the phone's menu.
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