Millions of Brits will be packing their suitcases and heading on holiday this month and whilst that's good news for the tan, it might not be so great for the wallet. Almost all of the big UK networks now charge a daily fee for using phones in the EU and it can lead to some pretty hefty bill shock. Take EE for example, the popular provider now charges over £2 per day for some of its users to access their calls, texts and data. That means a family of four on a two-week break could face a bill of more than £110 when they return from the yearly break.

Three Mobile, Sky Mobile and Vodafone all charge the same flat fee although this penalty only applies if you've recently purchased a new contract or switched your SIM deal.

EE only applies the extra roaming fees to those who have joined the network or upgraded their plan after August 2021. Vodafone also has similar terms with anyone on a contract purchased before August 2021 still able to roam for free.

If you think you are about to be hit by these fees, which many customers have branded a "rip off", then it might be worth checking out some new advice.

The team at Expert Reviews have just issued a useful guide which shows which networks have roaming fees and those that don't charge any extra.

Firms including Tesco, Giffgaff, SMARTY, ASDA Mobile and O2 will all let you access some data, calls and texts without it adding money to your bill. 

You should be aware of changing charges and data caps. Some networks might allow you to use your normal data allowance while being in the EU, while others have fair use limits – such as Giffgaff, which allows you to use up to 5GB.

Most new devices, including the latest iPhones, also feature an eSIM inside which lets you sign up to a network for a short period and get much cheaper prices than your actual provider will charge.

With over 40 percent of UK phone users thought to be on contracts that include roaming fees, now is a good time to shop around.

Speaking about the latest data, Ben Johnston, Expert Reviews Phone Expert, said: "With so many of the top networks now charging additional fees for using your existing package when travelling in Europe, it’s more vital than ever to check the roaming policy before signing up to a network.

"The daily fees are usually relatively minor but if you plan on spending a week or two on the continent, it quickly adds up. That doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to avoid going with the likes of VOXI – still our favourite network overall – but a little preparation ahead of your trip could end up saving you money in the long run.

"If your phone supports eSIMs, you can easily (and affordably) skirt around roaming charges by getting a one-off subscription to GiffGaff or Smarty, both of which allow you to use your paid-for data in Europe. Package prices start very cheap, so you could easily get an eSIM with enough data to see you through your trip for less than you’d be paying in daily fees with other networks. GiffGaff and Smarty are both on a rolling monthly basis, too, so you can then just cancel when you return from your trip."