German travelers face rising roaming charge risks

A YouGov survey commissioned by Airalo reveals that nearly one in five Germans (19 percent) have fallen victim to unexpected roaming charges while traveling outside the EU. The impact is even more pronounced among young adults aged 18 to 24, where over half (54 percent) reported being surprised by high mobile data bills.

Despite high levels of preparation for other aspects of travel, digital connectivity remains a weak point. Only 9 percent of respondents install an eSIM before departure, and only 17 percent have booked a specific data package. The survey notes that roaming costs can also occur in non-EU destinations like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or North Macedonia. Beyond financial costs, poor internet access is cited as a source of travel stress, with 21 percent of respondents reporting that connectivity issues have led to arguments or tension during trips.