The smartphone is now an everyday companion for most people, which should not be missing on vacation, because friends and relatives are supposed to make friends and relatives a little jealous with photos from the stand. However, there are also cost traps that can strike outside the European Union in particular.

While there is a clear regulation for roaming within the EU and in most cases the same prices for data as well as calls and SMS apply as at home, mobile operators outside the EU can ask for almost anything they want. Within the EU you should check how many gigabytes can be used in the EU area before you start your journey. Occasionally there may be a limit.

Outside the EU, it can even be worth buying a local prepaid card, as prices of three euros per minute or five euros per megabyte may apply in extreme cases. It is therefore very advisable to deal with the roaming prices before departure and, if necessary, to look for alternatives or to book flat rates.

Misconception 1: If the called party is abroad, the caller pays more

Unfortunately, this nonsense is very widespread and many are still of the opinion that if they call someone who is currently roaming abroad, the caller will have to pay more. Just not true. Outside the European Union, however, it can be really expensive for the called party, as so-called passive fees are incurred. In other words: Even if someone calls you, you pay a fee per minute. This can be very steep.

Misconception 2: If the mobile box picks up, it costs nothing

This is exactly a dangerous cost trap outside the EU. From a technical point of view, it works like this: If you do not pick up the call, the call is forwarded to another number, that of the mobile box. For this "service" there are roaming charges outside the EU, even if nothing is discussed on the answering machine. Tip: Simply switch off the mobile box before departing for another EU country.

Misconception 3: My data volume also applies on vacation

If you are in the European Union that is correct, but the number of gigabytes can be limited. Outside the EU, most mobile phone contracts do not include any data volume and it can get really expensive. When 60 euros are reached, the operators have to cut the data connection and it can only be reactivated with the active consent of the customer. Tip: Local prepaid cards are often significantly cheaper and protect against cost risks. On the smartphone with the home card, you should make sure that data roaming is deactivated before departure. There are free WiFi networks in hotels and at many airports, for example.

Mistake 4: All stored numbers can be called

If you have saved your mother, father, boss or whoever else without an international area code, you may be surprised when abroad that someone else answers the call. When roaming you make calls in the local network. In order to be able to call your home country, you need the international area code (e.g. +43 for Austria or +49 for Germany). Tip: Simply consistently save all numbers in the international format with area code, then you don't have this problem.