UK & Europe SIM and eSIM FAQs for Australian Travellers

Your UK and Europe travel SIM or eSIM includes 5G/4G data, a real UK mobile number, unlimited calls and texts to the UK and Europe, Europe roaming, hotspot use and activation support.

• Choose 40GB, 100GB, 200GB or Unlimited data.
• Get a real UK mobile number for calls, texts, bookings and forms.
• Use unlimited UK calls and texts while in the UK.
• Use calls, texts and roaming data across included European destinations.
• Receive incoming calls and texts from anywhere, free of charge.
• Use hotspot or tethering to share data with other devices.
• Connect to free Wi-Fi on the London Underground at more than 250 Tube stations.
• Access selected UK offers through the Three+ Rewards app.

Europe roaming data limits apply:

• 40GB plan: 6GB usable in Europe.
• 100GB plan: 12GB usable in Europe.
• 200GB plan: 18GB usable in Europe.
• Unlimited plan: 30GB usable in Europe.

The Europe roaming data limit does not apply in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

Your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM is valid for 1 calendar month from activation.

This means it runs from the date you activate and start using it until 11:59pm on the same date of the following month, using the UK London time zone, unless the next month has fewer days.

Examples:

• If you activate on 28 December, it expires at 11:59pm on 28 January.
• If you activate on 31 January, it expires at 11:59pm on 28 February, or 29 February in a leap year.
• If you activate on 27 February, it expires at 11:59pm on 27 March.

After it expires, you can recharge the same SIM or eSIM through our website, or buy two or more SIMs or eSIMs and switch to the next one when the first expires.

Yes. Your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM works across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

While in the UK, you can use your included data, make unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles, and send unlimited texts to UK mobile numbers.

Your plan also includes roaming in the Republic of Ireland, with no separate roaming data limit.

Yes. Your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM includes roaming across many European destinations.

While visiting included European destinations, you can:

• Call and text UK landlines and mobiles.
• Call and text local numbers in the country you are visiting.
• Call and text other included European countries.
• Contact other people using our SIM or eSIM, no matter where they are.

Europe roaming data limits apply:

• 40GB plan: 6GB usable in Europe.
• 100GB plan: 12GB usable in Europe.
• 200GB plan: 18GB usable in Europe.
• Unlimited plan: 30GB usable in Europe.

Included European destinations:

Åland Islands, Finland | Austria | Azores, Portugal | Balearic Islands, Spain | Belgium | Bulgaria | Canary Islands, Spain | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | French Guiana | Germany | Gibraltar | Greece | Guadeloupe | Guernsey | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Isle of Man | Italy | Jersey | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Madeira, Portugal | Malta | Martinique | Mayotte | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Réunion | Romania | Saint Barthélemy | Saint Martin | San Marino, Italy | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Vatican City

The UK mobile network limits continuous roaming outside the UK to 1 month (this is called the "1-month roaming limit"). The 1-month roaming limit is separate to the 1-month duration of your SIM/eSIM.

When you buy our UK and Europe SIM or eSIM, it lasts for 1 calendar month from activation. At the end of the month you can recharge your SIM or eSIM and get another month, and you can keep recharging for as long as you want. However, the 1-month roaming limit always applies. So even if you recharge your SIM or eSIM after the first nmonth, you still cannot use it for more than 1 continuous month in Europe.

If you are staying in Europe for more than 1 continuous month, you will have to buy two or more SIMs or eSIMs and switch to the next one when the first expires.

Example 1. You are in Europe for 6 weeks: France for 2 weeks, Italy for 3 weeks, then Spain for 1 week. This means you are in Europe continuously for more than 1 month. Even if you recharge your SIM or eSIM after the first month, it will not work for the second month because you have exceeded the 1-month roaming limit. You will need two SIMs or eSIMs. Use the first for the first month, and use the second for the second month.

Example 2. You are in the UK and Europe for 7 weeks: Greece for 3 weeks, the UK for 1 week, then Portugal for 3 weeks. You are not in Europe continuously for more than 1 month (you go to the UK after 3 weeks in Europe). You can recharge your SIM or eSIM after the first month and it will keep working (returning to the UK resets the 1-month roaming limit).

No. Brexit does not affect how our UK and Europe SIM or eSIM works in Europe.

Some UK mobile providers charge daily roaming fees for Europe, but our SIM and eSIM do not charge extra daily roaming fees in the included European destinations.

You still get access to your included data, calls and texts without additional daily charges.

Your SIM or eSIM will not work while your cruise ship is in open waters.

It will only connect when you are docked at a port or very close to shore within land-based mobile coverage.

Once you are out at sea, mobile signals from land towers are no longer available. Cruise ships may offer onboard Wi-Fi or satellite services, but these are separate from your SIM or eSIM plan.

No. The UK and Europe SIM or eSIM does not work in Australia.

There is no Australian roaming included. Do not buy this SIM or eSIM if you want to use it in Australia, because it will not work and no refund is given.

One of the benefits of using our UK and Europe eSIM is that you can continue to receive one-time banking passwords and verification codes sent by SMS to your Australian mobile number while you’re overseas.

If you currently use a physical SIM in Australia, simply leave it in your phone and keep it turned on in your phone settings. You can then have your UK & Europe eSIM turned on at the same time. This allows you to receive SMS messages, including banking security codes and other verification messages, sent to your Australian number. Most Australian mobile providers do not charge you to receive SMS messages while roaming overseas. Your UK & Europe eSIM will be used for mobile data and internet access. Calls and text messages you make will also be made using your UK & Europe eSIM.

If you currently use an eSIM in Australia, you can still receive SMS messages sent to your Australian number while overseas, including banking security codes and other verification messages. Depending on your phone model, you may be able to have both your Australian eSIM and UK & Europe eSIM turned on at the same time. If your phone does not support two active eSIMs, simply turn off your UK & Europe eSIM and turn on your Australian eSIM when you need to receive an SMS. Most Australian mobile providers do not charge you to receive SMS messages while roaming overseas. Once you have received the SMS, you can turn off your Australian eSIM and turn your UK & Europe eSIM back on. Your UK & Europe eSIM will then be used for mobile data and internet access, as well as calls and text messages.

You can activate your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM before you travel, so it is ready when you arrive overseas.

For physical SIM cards:

• When your SIM arrives, go to the activation website listed on the SIM card.
• Enter the date you want your SIM to start working.
• You can activate from Australia, the UK, Europe or anywhere else before you travel.

For eSIMs:

• We email you a QR code after purchase.
• Open your phone camera and scan the QR code, or use your phone's built-in QR reader.
• The eSIM installs on your phone in a few minutes.

You can set up before departure so you are ready to connect when you arrive.

Yes. You can buy your UK and Europe travel SIM or eSIM up to 24 months in advance.

The 1-month validity only starts from activation, not from the date you buy.

• Buy now, activate later.
• Valid for up to 2 years from purchase date before activation.
• Good for organised travellers who want their SIM or eSIM sorted early.

Yes. Once you receive your SIM or eSIM, email us with your SIM or eSIM serial number and we will send you your UK mobile number.

This lets you:

• Share your number with family and friends.
• Add it to baggage labels.
• Use it on travel, booking or government forms.

Yes. Your phone must be network unlocked to use our UK and Europe SIM or eSIM.

Most Australian phones are already unlocked, but it is worth checking before you travel.

How to check if your iPhone is unlocked:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap General.
• Tap About.
• Look for Network Provider Lock.
• If it says “No SIM restrictions”, your iPhone is unlocked.

For other phones, insert a SIM card from a different provider and restart the phone. If the new provider’s name appears, your phone is unlocked. If you see an error such as “Invalid SIM”, contact your provider to unlock it.

Nothing changes. Your contacts, apps, photos, emails, settings and WhatsApp chats stay on your phone.

• Your contacts stay on your phone.
• Your apps, photos, emails and settings stay the same.
• Your WhatsApp number and conversations are not affected.

Your phone data is stored on your phone, not on the SIM card.

Yes. You can use your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM as a personal hotspot.

You can share your mobile data with devices such as:

• Laptop.
• iPad or tablet.
• Games console.
• A travel companion’s phone.

This is useful for working remotely, streaming, maps, bookings and general travel use. Hotspot can use a lot of data, so consider this when choosing your plan.

Yes. You can recharge your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM if you are staying longer than 1 month.

• Recharges can be made directly on our website.
• You can use your Australian credit card.
• You can keep recharging month after month if needed.
• Unused data does not roll over.

Important Europe roaming note: you can only use the SIM or eSIM for 1 continuous month in Europe outside the UK. The roaming limit resets if you return to the UK during your trip.

If you are staying in Europe for more than 1 continuous month, buy two or more SIMs or eSIMs to cover your full stay.

You can check your remaining data by logging in to your account at Three.co.uk.

• Remaining data balance.
• Usage history.
• Plan details.

No app is required. You can visit the website from your phone or laptop.

Yes. You can use WhatsApp and FaceTime as normal with your UK and Europe SIM or eSIM.

WhatsApp:

• You can keep your Australian number, contacts and chat history.
• No special setup is needed.
• You can send messages and make audio or video calls.
• Calls use your mobile data or Wi-Fi.

FaceTime:

• You can make FaceTime audio and video calls as usual.
• FaceTime uses mobile data or Wi-Fi.
• There are no call or SMS charges because it uses your data allowance.

Calling or texting Australian numbers is not included, either from the UK or Europe.

If you want to use traditional calls or SMS to Australia, you will need to purchase a recharge voucher from our website after you receive your SIM or eSIM. When you are in the UK it costs £0.03/minute to call Australian numbers and £0.252/SMS sent. When you are in Europe it costs £1.40/minute to call Australian numbers and £0.252/SMS sent.

Most travellers use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger or similar apps to call Australia using mobile data or Wi-Fi.

However, we understand that some customers may need to call Australian landline numbers while they are in the UK or Europe, for example to contact elderly relatives. Instead of purchasing a recharge voucher and paying international call rates, you may prefer to use the Viber app. Viber is similar to WhatsApp, but it also allows you to call Australian landlines and mobile numbers, including numbers that do not use WhatsApp. Simply download the Viber app. For USD $3.99 per month, with no lock in contract and the ability to cancel at any time, Viber offers unlimited calls to Australian landlines and mobiles.Viber works over 4G, 5G or WiFi. Simply open the app and dial the Australian number, just as you would using your phone's normal calling app in Australia. More information is available here: https://account.viber.com/en/call-australia.

We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or connected to Viber in any way. This information is provided as a suggestion only and should not be considered an endorsement. Please use your own judgment to decide whether Viber is suitable for your needs.

Calling or texting European numbers from the UK is not included.

If you want to use traditional calls or SMS to Europe (when you are in the UK), you will need to purchase a recharge voucher from our website after you receive your SIM or eSIM. International call rates will then apply when calling from the UK to Europe. You can check the current rates here: View Three international call rates. Select your destination country, then choose Pay As You Go to view the applicable call rates.

When you are in Europe, your plan includes unlimited calls and texts to UK numbers, local numbers in the included European country you are visiting, and other included European countries.

When you are in the UK, unlimited calls and texts include UK landlines, UK mobiles, UK national numbers and UK freephone numbers.

• UK landline numbers starting with 01 and 02.
• UK mobile numbers starting with 07.
• UK national numbers starting with 03.
• UK freephone numbers starting with 0800.

Some UK businesses use premium-rate numbers starting with 084 or 087. These can cost 50p per minute or more and are not included in your plan. Before calling, check the business’s website for an 01, 02, 03 or 0800 number instead.

In the UK, your SIM or eSIM uses the Three UK mobile network.

Three UK merged with Vodafone UK in 2025, which means your phone can automatically use whichever network is best at your location in the UK.

Three has been recognised in Speedtest Awards as the fastest 5G mobile network in the UK.

In Europe, your SIM or eSIM automatically roams onto local Tier 1 network partners across included European destinations.

You can expect fast and reliable 4G/5G speeds in many major cities, towns and tourist areas across Europe.

• 4G and 5G speeds are available in many major cities and tourist areas.
• Coverage is suitable for browsing, maps, streaming, video calls and travel apps.
• Your phone automatically connects to the best available local partner network.

Speeds can vary based on your location, the local network, network congestion, building coverage and your phone model.

Your UK & Europe eSIM or physical SIM gives you access to free Wi-Fi on the London Underground. Many stations are deep underground with no mobile phone service. Once you're at a participating station, switch on Wi-Fi and connect to Three_WIFI.

• Wi-Fi is available in ticket halls, walkways, and platforms at over 250 stations. It does not work in the tunnels or in- between stations.
• Send emails or download and read your inbox.
• Update your Facebook status, or Whatsapp your friend about your travels.
• Not sure where you're going? Go online to get train times, directions and connections for your trip.

Connect once and then your phone will automatically connect across the London Underground network.

Yes. Our Rapid Response Support Team can help with setup, activation, data, roaming and troubleshooting while you travel.

You can contact us by email or WhatsApp message if you need help.

Our WhatsApp Support team can be reached at +447882165545.

We offer fast delivery from our Sydney office, with standard and express delivery options for physical SIM cards.

If you order an eSIM, nothing is sent in the post. We email you a QR code instead.

• Orders are dispatched the next business day after purchase.
• Standard delivery usually takes 4 to 7 business days.
• Express delivery is available for faster service.

For full details, visit our Shipping and Delivery Info page.

We accept major secure payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Visa.
• Mastercard.
• American Express.
• PayPal.
• Apple Pay.
• Google Pay.

Our checkout is protected by SSL encryption. For this reason, we do not take orders over the phone.

All prices on our website are in Australian dollars (AUD). However, payments are processed by our Hong Kong merchant account. Some Australian banks and credit card providers may classify this as an international transaction and charge an overseas transaction fee, even though the purchase is in AUD. Any such fee is charged by your card issuer, not by us.

You may wish to pay using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

We offer a full refund if your SIM or eSIM does not work because of a genuine technical fault with the SIM or eSIM.

To claim:

• Connect to Wi-Fi and contact us via WhatsApp on +44 7882 165545 within 24 hours of arriving in the UK or Europe.
• Include your name, order number, whether you have our SIM or eSIM, and a detailed description of the issue.
• Give us up to 24 hours to resolve the problem. Many issues are fixed within minutes.
• If we cannot fix it, we will refund what you paid.

The money-back guarantee only applies to faults with the actual SIM or eSIM itself. That means it does not apply if your phone is network locked, your phone is not technically compatible, your phone is IMEI blocked on the Three UK network or any European network, you lost the SIM, you deleted the eSIM from your phone, or you did not follow the activation or setup instructions. The money-back guarantee also does apply if you do not contact us within 24 hours of arrival in the UK/Europe, or you wait until returning to Australia to report the issue.

Yes, but only if you recharge it within 6 months of activation or recharge.

After 6 months of inactivity, the SIM or eSIM is permanently cancelled by the mobile network. Once cancelled, it cannot be reactivated and the UK mobile number cannot be retrieved.

For most travellers, it is usually easier and cheaper to buy a new SIM or eSIM for a future trip.

Yes. Our website is protected by SSL encryption.

SSL helps encrypt information sent between your device and our website, including personal details and checkout information.

When you shop with us, your payment and personal details stay private and secure. For this reason, we do not take phone orders.

We do not operate a physical shopfront, but we can offer a personal setup service for customers located in Melbourne, Australia.

• Delivering the SIM card directly to you.
• Helping install the SIM into your phone.
• Activating your SIM for you.
• Setting up the Three UK app on your device.

The cost for this hands-on personalised service is $150 AUD.

To book or ask questions, email info@ukprepaidsimcard.com.au.