Roaming Switzerland 2026: Which Mobile Plans Are Really Cheap for Summer Holidays?
Summer holidays are approaching, and with them the question: what will my Swiss plan cost me abroad? The good news: several providers have lowered their roaming rates in recent months. The bad news: the differences between providers are still considerable – and if you're not careful, a few gigabytes abroad can quickly cost you several times the normal subscription price. This comparison shows what Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, Yallo and Lebara currently offer and where savings opportunities are hiding.
The Current Situation: Roaming Prices Are Falling, but Unevenly
Swiss mobile operators are under pressure. On one hand, EU providers have significantly reduced their prices thanks to European roaming regulation, on the other hand, competition is growing from cheap eSIM providers and local prepaid cards. According to a report by cash.ch, several Swiss providers have adjusted their roaming rates in recent months – but not all equally and not always in favour of consumers.
Important to understand: Switzerland is not an EU member. This means that the EU roaming regulation, which prescribes the «Roam like at home» principle within the EU, does not apply to Swiss plans. Swiss providers can set their roaming prices freely – and they do.
Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom Compared: What's Included?
Swisscom
Swisscom offers in its higher subscription categories (Inone Mobile M and above) EU roaming data allowances included. Depending on the plan, this is between 1 GB and several GB per month at domestic rates. Beyond that, additional packages are charged. A 1 GB EU data package costs around CHF 9.– to CHF 12.– at Swisscom, depending on the subscription level. Calls and SMS to Switzerland are included in many packages.
Swisscom is convenient, but expensive. For frequent travellers, it's worth looking at the additional options – these are cheaper compared to individual tariffs.
Sunrise
Sunrise has recently revised its roaming packages. EU data packages are available from around CHF 7.– per GB, combination packages with data, calls and SMS for the EU from around CHF 15.– per week. In the premium plans (Sunrise Unlimited), a certain EU roaming allowance is directly included.
One advantage of Sunrise: the coverage abroad in the EU via partner networks is broad, and the app makes it easy to activate roaming packages.
Salt
Salt positions itself as a cheap alternative and has recently caught up in this area. In Salt's mid-range and upper-tier plans, EU roaming data is included – sometimes up to several GB. Salt actively advertises that roaming in over 40 countries is possible without surcharge, provided the corresponding plan is chosen.
For budget-conscious users, Salt is therefore one of the most attractive options among the three major providers, provided the right plan is chosen.
Yallo and Lebara: Cheap, but with Limitations
Yallo
Yallo (a Sunrise subsidiary) targets price-conscious users. Roaming is not automatically included – it must be activated and paid for separately. Data packages for the EU are cheaper than with the major providers, but the conditions are less transparent. If you travel abroad with Yallo, you should carefully check the current package prices before your trip.
Lebara
Lebara is known for its cheap international tariffs, but for EU roaming the offering is limited. Data packages abroad are available, but the prices per GB can be higher than with the main providers. Lebara is better suited to users who mainly make calls within Switzerland and only need a little data abroad.
EU Zone Packages vs. Single-Country Packages: What's Worth It?
A common mistake: you buy a country-specific package for Italy, but then also briefly visit France or Croatia. The package no longer applies.
EU zone packages generally cover all EU/EEA countries and are the better choice for travellers who visit several countries or are not sure of their itinerary. They are slightly more expensive per GB than single-country packages, but offer more flexibility and protect against unexpected costs.
Single-country packages are only worthwhile if you know for certain that you will stay exclusively in one country and consume a lot of data there.
| Provider | EU Zone Package (approx.) | Single-Country Package (approx.) | Inclusive Roaming in Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swisscom | CHF 9–12 / 1 GB | Yes, available | From Inone M: Yes |
| Sunrise | CHF 7–10 / 1 GB | Yes, available | From Unlimited: Yes |
| Salt | Included (depending on plan) | Partially | From mid-tier: Yes |
| Yallo | Bookable separately | Limited | No |
| Lebara | Bookable separately | Limited | No |
Prices are based on publicly available information, as of June 2026. Subject to change.
eSIM Alternatives: Often the Cheapest Solution
If you own an eSIM-compatible smartphone, you have a very attractive option: travel eSIMs from providers like Airalo, Holafly or Maya allow you to buy a local or regional data card for the duration of your trip – often for a fraction of Swiss roaming prices.
Example: a 10 GB data package for Europe via Airalo often costs between CHF 10.– and CHF 20.–, while the same volume via a Swiss provider can easily cost CHF 50.– or more.
Advantage: Cheap, flexible, no contract commitment.
Disadvantage: You are reachable under a different number. Calls and SMS via your Swiss number continue to go through your main plan – and can become expensive if you're not careful.
Solution: use the eSIM for data, turn off «data roaming» on the Swiss plan and make calls via WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime over Wi-Fi or eSIM data.
Local Prepaid Cards: Effort vs. Savings
Another option is local prepaid SIM cards at your destination. In many EU countries you can get a package with several GB of data and domestic minutes for CHF 10.– to CHF 20.–. The downside: you are reachable under a foreign number, and setting it up can be cumbersome depending on the country (identity verification, local language).
For short holiday stays of one to two weeks, this effort is usually not worth it. For longer stays or travellers who frequently visit the same country, it can be worthwhile.
Practical Tips to Avoid Cost Traps
- Activate data roaming manually: Many smartphones automatically download updates or sync photos as soon as roaming is active. Disable automatic updates and iCloud/Google Photos sync abroad.
- Prefer Wi-Fi: Hotels, restaurants and public places often offer free Wi-Fi. Use it for data-intensive tasks.
- Monitor data usage: Both iOS and Android show roaming data consumption in the settings. Set a data limit.
- Check before travelling: Always activate roaming packages before departure – at the airport or on the train it is often too late or more expensive.
- Calls from abroad to Switzerland: These can be charged separately even with a roaming package. Check whether calls are included.
Conclusion: Who Saves the Most?
For most Swiss holiday travellers: Salt currently offers the best value for money for EU roaming, provided the right plan is chosen. Sunrise and Swisscom are more convenient, but more expensive. Yallo and Lebara are only suitable for users with very low roaming needs.
If you really want to save money and have an eSIM-compatible device, travel eSIMs are hard to beat. The savings compared to Swiss roaming packages can be considerable.
You can find a current comparison of mobile plans in Switzerland at /mobile. If you want to switch providers, it's also worth taking a look at our comparison.
