According to the Ruefa Travel Compass a holiday trip again this year. Italy, Croatia and Germany are proving to be particularly popular destinations. In addition to the classic travel essentials, the smartphone It should be included in your holiday hand luggage as it not only serves as a camera, navigation device and means of communication, but above all also as a personal safety device in an emergency.
In an emergency, every second counts: Help can be reached quickly throughout Europe via the single European emergency number 112. This European emergency number is free of charge and requires no prepaid credit in all EU member states, as well as in other countries such as the UK, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monte Carlo, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. This provides travelers with a vital safety net across much of the continent.
Within the European Union, thanks to the " Roam like at Home " regulation, mobile phone use is largely subject to the same rates as in your home country – provided your stay abroad is temporary. An SMS with the current rates is sent every time you cross a border. However, particular caution is advised in non-EU countries, as well as on ships and airplanes. Roaming conditions can vary significantly depending on the provider, and the Mobile Communications Forum (FMK) strongly recommends checking your mobile provider's website beforehand and ideally booking special roaming packages. This protects against unexpectedly high costs on your monthly bill.
If no roaming package has been booked, an automatic cost cap kicks in when a limit of €60 is reached, at which point an automatic SMS notification is sent. Further charges only apply after the customer actively consents. However, on ships and airplanes, special billing models may apply from the shipping companies and airlines, which could potentially circumvent the cost cap. The FMK (Federal Association of Mobile Communications Companies) also advises deactivating voicemail before traveling or within the EU if it is not absolutely necessary in non-EU countries, as even unlistened messages can incur charges. In case of theft or loss of the smartphone, quick action is required: The SIM card should be blocked immediately by the mobile provider, for which the hotline number should be noted separately. For increased security, the screen lock should always be activated, ideally supplemented by a SIM card PIN and activated device tracking services. Furthermore, all important telephone numbers should be saved in international format (e.g., +43664 instead of 0664).