🔴 FULL ROAMING CHARGES APPLY
Your EU SIM will incur standard international roaming charges here. Consider a local SIM or eSIM.
Dialing Code
+971
Network
5G/4G
eSIM
Widespread
Tourist SIM
Easy
Wi-Fi
Excellent
Roaming Zone Memberships
GCC Reduced Roaming
No Extra Charges
Member Since
February 1, 2012
Status
Full Member
Voice / SMS / Data
✅ Voice ·
✅ SMS ·
✅ Data
Agreement Type
Multilateral Agreement
The six Gulf Cooperation Council states — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman — have progressively reduced roaming charges since 2012. Roaming price caps were implemented in phases, with significant reductions (up to 40%) starting April 2018. By 2021, charges within the GCC were largely eliminated for voice, SMS and data, though some operators still offer bundled roaming packages rather than truly free roaming.
SIM & Connectivity Info
Prepaid SIM for Tourists
Easy
ID Required for SIM
Yes — Passport/ID needed
eSIM Availability
Widespread
Wi-Fi Availability
Excellent
Important Roaming Notes & Tips
GCC member state — roaming charges between Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have been largely eliminated since 2021. However, this applies to GCC-issued SIMs only, NOT to EU or other international SIMs.
Du, Etisalat available. Tourist SIMs at airports. VoIP restrictions apply. GCC roaming zone: If you have a local GCC SIM, roaming in other Gulf states is free or near-free.
Data last verified:
Back to All Countries