Data roaming in Belgium & Alternatives to Get Internet: Which Option to Choose?

Latest update: September 2024

Data roaming allows travelers visiting Belgium to stay connected while away from their home country. This article provides information about data roaming in Belgium, including options, costs, and alternatives for travelers from both within and outside the European Union to stay connected during their stay in Belgium.

In this article

I. Phone Roaming in Belgium – Quick Facts for Tourists

Here is a general understanding of data roaming in Belgium you should know.

Roaming services: Allow you to use your mobile phone on a foreign network or not.
International roaming: Describing the process of using your home country’s mobile network in Belgium.
Before utilizing data roaming, ensure your current carrier has established a roaming agreement with a carrier in Belgium.
Roaming rates: in Belgium tend to be relatively steep, particularly for voice calls and data usage. Rates are subject to variation based on the service provider.
Roaming in Belgium consistently comes with specific limitations, particularly in terms of speed and mobile data access.
To enable data roaming in Belgium, reach out to your mobile service provider either by direct call or through their online mobile application.
Mobile operators in Belgium may monitor and assess your roaming usage based on their individual policies.

II. Understand about Roaming in Belgium – How It Works

There are many operators providing data roaming services in Belgium

Data roaming enables the use of mobile services like calls, texts and internet access when traveling by connecting to other local networks where your home provider lacks coverage.

There are two types of roaming:

domestic roaming within a country, and
international roaming between countries.

The cost and availability depends on agreements between operators and governments.

Currently in Belgium, there are many operators providing data roaming services for tourists to choose from. Some mobile operators that you can refer to are Proximus, Orange and Telenet.

Here is pros and cons of data roaming in Belgium for travelers:

Pros of data roaming in Belgium:

Stay connected while traveling: Use all phone features like calling, messaging and internet using your home number while abroad.
Convenient: No need to purchase a new SIM card when traveling overseas.
Flexible payment options: Choice of prepaid or postpaid mobile plans.

Cons of data roaming in Belgium:

Data roaming restrictions and speeds: Specific limits on data usage and speeds while roaming.
High costs: Activities like calls, messages and data are significantly more expensive than local options.

III. Is the Roaming Rate in Belgium Expensive?

Roaming rates in Belgium are currently quite expensive

Roaming rates in Belgium are currently quite expensive. However, depending on each mobile operator, the cost for data roaming will vary. To understand clearly, please refer to the following.

Roaming in Belgium with Proximus: The Daily Roaming Pass will be valid for 24 hours and costs €5.95 /day or €11.95 /day.
Roaming in Belgium with Orange: The roaming service costs €17 for every 10 GB.
Roaming in Belgium with Telenet: The roaming service costs €16 for 5 GB, € 20,94 for 13 GB.

In addition to using the Belgium network’s roaming service, you can also roam your data with the network in your country. Vinaphone in Vietnam has support packages for tourists in Belgium.

Receive calls: 0.33 USD/minute.
Make calls: 3.1 USD/minute.
Send SMS: 0.37 USD/SMS.
Data service: 500MB – 101 USD.

Note: The price and plan can be changed over time. Contact the mobile operator to get the most updated information.

IV. How to Activate Roaming Service for Belgium in Your Cell Phone?

Activate the roaming function for your service provider

Step 1: Choose your preferred service provider.

Before considering activating roaming on your mobile phone, it’s essential to decide on your preferred service provider. Depending on your requirements, you can either stick with your home cell plan or opt for a cell service provider in Belgium.

Step 2: Activate the roaming function for your service provider.

Every mobile network operator has its own process for activating roaming services. It’s advisable to consult the official website of your selected operator for specific instructions. For instance, you can refer to Proximus’s procedures in Belgium.

Download the Proximus application on your phone.
Get the option called “Roaming internationally”.
Select your destination country.
Done, you will receive it.

Step 3: Buy a mobile package with roaming features.

“Why is a roaming plan important?” is a question asked by many tourists. Normally, regular roaming rates are expensive. Therefore, purchasing roaming packages will ensure that you will not have to pay roaming charges.

Buy a mobile package with roaming features

Pro Tip:

It is recommended to buy a roaming package one day before departure because the package often starts right after purchase.
Choose the roaming package that suits your needs and budget accordingly. For example, choose an unlimited package (if any) if you are a heavy data user. Alternatively, choose a roaming package with a limited data volume if you only use data when necessary.

Step 4: Turn on your phone’s roaming.

On Android: Settings > Tap on “Data roaming” > Turn “International Roaming” on

On iOS (iPhone): Settings > Cellular > Tap on “Data roaming”

Note: Do not forget to turn off the roaming feature when not in use to prevent any unnecessary expenses once you come back to your country.

V. How to Avoid Roaming Charges When Traveling to Belgium

How to avoid roaming charges when traveling to Belgium?

Many tourists are often concerned about how to avoid roaming fees when traveling to Belgium. That’s why Gigago is here to propose some helpful solutions to ensure you have the best experience.

Disable data roaming: Turn off data roaming on your device to prevent it from connecting to foreign networks and incurring charges.
Use Wifi whenever you can: Utilize WiFi networks available at hotels, cafes, or other public places to access the internet without using cellular data.
Disable automatic app updates: Prevent apps from automatically updating over cellular data to avoid unexpected data usage and charges.
Use a local SIM Card/eSIM: Consider purchasing a local SIM card or activating an eSIM with a local mobile network provider at your destination for more affordable local rates.
Monitor your data usage: Keep track of your data usage through your device’s settings or mobile apps to avoid exceeding your data plan and incurring additional charges.

VI. Belgium eSIM – Alternative to Data Roaming in Belgium to Get Internet

Besides utilizing roaming services, visitors can also maintain communication with friends and family through the use of eSIMs Belgium. This approach offers numerous notable benefits, which are detailed in the following table for better comprehension.

Method	Pros	Cons
Roaming	– You don’t have to remove the main SIM so you don’t have to worry about losing the main SIM. – Keep the same Vietnamese number when contacting.	– Expensive cost – Not all carriers in Vietnam have connection contracts with carriers in Belgium.
eSIM Belgium	– Easily buy eSIM online, no need to declare information. – Just scan the QR to get the SIM, no complicated installation required. – Multiple packages can be installed on the same phone.	– Device picky, must have an eSIM compatible device to use (usually high-end models). – Must have an unlocked phone to use.

If visitors want to buy a Belgium eSIM, they can refer to the options at Gigago. With a convenient 100% online process, customers will receive the eSIM via email and activate it with a QR code, connecting immediately upon landing.

Gigago offers multiple data plan options for Belgium, with prices ranging from $3.00 – $95.90 . Their minimum 1 GB/3 days starts at just $3.00 . With this range of affordable plans, Gigago can accommodate any type of user and trip length in Belgium. Whether you only need occasional internet access or plan to stream extensively, Gigago has a Belgium eSIM plan to fit your needs and budget. The flexibility of their pricing makes Gigago a great eSIM solution for travel to Belgium.

► Check details on each plan of eSIM Gigago for Belgium.

VII. How to Turn Off Data Roaming When Traveling in Belgium

Ensuring you turn off data roaming when it’s not needed is crucial for saving costs. If you’re wondering how to disable roaming while traveling in Belgium, the following steps will guide you through the process.

1. Turn off international roaming on Android When Traveling in Belgium

Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
Looking for the “Network & Internet” or “Connections” section.
Go to “Mobile Networks” or “Cellular Networks” and tap on it.
Look for the option labeled “Data Roaming” and tap on it.
Toggle the switch next to “Data Roaming” to the off position.

2. Turn off international roaming on iPhones

Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data” (depending on your iOS version).
Tap on “Data Roaming.”
Toggle the switch next to “Data Roaming” to the off position.
A pop-up message may appear. Tap “Disable” or “Turn Off” to confirm.

VIII. FAQs

Are there restrictions or limitations with data roaming in Belgium?

Possible limitations include reduced speeds, data caps, or restrictions on certain services.

How can I monitor data usage while roaming in Belgium?

Use your device’s data usage settings or your provider’s app/website to track usage in real-time.

What should I do if I encounter issues with data roaming in Belgium?

If you experience problems with data roaming, contact your mobile service provider for assistance.