EU Roaming with Lebara

sarahTT

I have a Lebara SIM for some months now and really happy with it. Now I will be going to Spain for a week and afterwards visit a friend in southern France. This is the first time I will be using the roaming option and I am not sure I fully understand how it works. My plan gives me 15GB of data and I understand I can continue to use all that while away (I mean there is no lower limit in place like for some plans with 100GB or so).
But what about calls or texts? There the picture seems a bit murky. If I call a Spanish number in Spain (or French in France) is that coming out of my unlimited calls or out of my 100 international minutes? And likewise calling from Spain (or France) to the UK? I have read conflicting messages about this. So clarification from those who've done it is very welcome! Thanks a lot!

Mark_d

I've been with Lebara for years and my understanding is that you can't use inclusive minutes to call a Spanish number whilst in Spain etc. It's a bit of a pain but from my experience, if you need to call a Spanish number whilst in Spain then your hotel would generally be happy doing this for you.

ccluedo

I called a Spanish number (whilst in Spain) a couple of months ago on 4 or 5 occasions and it came out of inclusive minutes. No extra charges. 

Whether taken from my unlimited UK or 100 international I don't know and didn't care as I was unlikely to use much if any of the 100 international. 

Calling out via what's app is another option depending on how much of your data allowance you're likely to use, or if you have free WiFi wherever you are staying. 

sarahTT

Hello, the two of you and thanks for answering! Your posts neatly demonstrate what I meant with conflicting information. The Lebara site says this for Spain/France:

Great news! The country you are travelling to is one of our Roam Like Home destinations. This means you can use your plan allowances as you would in the UK (up to 30GB of data) for no extra charge.

And further down on the same page:

Voice allowance of the roaming add on includes outgoing calls local to the roamed country and calls back to the UK. Incoming calls (from anywhere in the world) are also deducted from the same allowance. The text allowance allows you to send a text locally in the roamed country or back to the UK. Incoming texts (from anywhere in the world) are free.  To make calls or send texts to a country other than the UK and the roamed country, you will need additional PAYG credit to use your phone and standard roaming rates will apply. Select your roaming destination in the country selector above to view applicable rates. Cleck here to buy PAYG credit.

But this refers to the "roaming add-ons" which are a separate thing? Confusing.

ccluedo

You would be the first section as in Roam like Home.
Only if you purchased an add on would the second section apply IMHO. 

I didn't find it too confusing when I checked pre holiday. However, I did make sure to check my account next day to be certain of my understanding. 🙂

sarahTT

Yes, I also thought that the second quote is valid for add-ons. But never hurts to ask.
I hope I have understood what they mean with the first quote and your experience seems to corroborate this. The main question is whether Spain/Spain or France/France calls (or from either to the UK) comes from the inclusive minutes or the international. I'll probably not use more than 100mins for calls anyway but would be good to know.

ccluedo

sarahTT said:

Yes, I also thought that the second quote is valid for add-ons. But never hurts to ask.
I hope I have understood what they mean with the first quote and your experience seems to corroborate this. The main question is whether Spain/Spain or France/France calls (or from either to the UK) comes from the inclusive minutes or the international. I'll probably not use more than 100mins for calls anyway but would be good to know.

They have live chat 8am-9pm so you could ask there if you want clarity, in writing, that you can refer them back to if any charges arise. 🙂

sarahTT

Maybe I'll try that though I have heard that the chat is not always very knowledgeable. If I get something firm I will report.

dc_scotland

Lebara describe the international minutes as "100 International Minutes (from the UK) to over 50 countries".

sarahTT

From the horse's mouth:

12:10

me: So if the call destination is UK it's from the unltd minutes but if it's from Spain to Spain or from Spain to France, it's international?

12:11

Salomi

That's right

ccluedo

sarahTT said:

From the horse's mouth:

12:10

me: So if the call destination is UK it's from the unltd minutes but if it's from Spain to Spain or from Spain to France, it's international?

12:11

Salomi

That's right

As I said, I wasn't sure which mine came from and didn't bother to check further when I could see the £0 cost.
Really only a concern if you think you're likely to use all 100 international minutes.. which I wasn't.
Good to have clarity tho, so tnx Sarah👍