how much does O2 charge to call abroad

Without an add-on, calling an overseas mobile from the UK on O2 costs £1.50 per minute. However, with the O2 International SIM add-on (£3 per month), you can reduce this to as little as 1p per minute for calls to both international mobiles and landlines.

what is O2 International SIM add-on cost

The O2 International SIM add-on costs £3 per month for Pay Monthly customers. This add-on reduces international call rates to 1p per minute for calls to overseas mobiles and landlines, making it cost-effective even for occasional international callers.

does O2 International SIM affect incoming calls

No, the O2 International SIM add-on only affects outbound calls. Incoming calls to your UK O2 number remain completely free whether or not you have the add-on active, as O2 does not charge for calls received while in the UK.

can I use O2 International SIM for landlines abroad

Yes, the O2 International SIM covers both international mobile and landline numbers. You can make calls to overseas landlines at rates as low as 1p per minute with the £3 monthly add-on.

May 10, 2026

Last updated on May 10, 2026

Do I get charged for incoming international calls - o2

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£1.50

Previous O2 charge per minute for international calls to mobiles

Source: Virgin Media O2

Minimum cost per minute for international calls with O2 International SIM

Source: Virgin Media O2

£3

Monthly cost of O2 International SIM add-on

Source: o2.co.uk

If someone abroad calls your O2 number while you are in the UK, you will not be charged for receiving that call. Incoming calls from overseas are treated the same as any other incoming call on your plan, so no extra fees apply. The charges to watch are for making international calls outbound, not receiving them.

What does O2 charge for making international calls?

Without any add-on, calling an overseas mobile from the UK on O2 used to cost £1.50 per minute. That rate applied to standard Pay Monthly (PAYM) customers dialling international mobile numbers. It is an expensive default, and most people who call abroad regularly will want to change it.

What is the O2 International SIM add-on?

O2 offers a product called the International SIM, which cuts outbound international call rates to as little as 1p per minute for calls to overseas mobiles and landlines. The add-on costs £3 per month and is available to Pay Monthly customers. At that price, even a handful of calls abroad each month will cover the cost. The International SIM covers both international mobile and landline numbers, so you are not limited to one type of destination.

Does the add-on affect incoming calls?

The International SIM add-on is designed for outbound calling. Incoming calls to your UK O2 number remain free of charge whether or not you have the add-on active, because O2 does not bill you for calls you receive while on UK soil.

What about receiving calls when you are abroad?

This is a separate situation. If you are travelling outside the UK and someone calls your O2 number, roaming rules apply rather than standard UK incoming call rules. Charges in that case depend on your destination country and your specific plan. Check O2's roaming page at o2.co.uk before travelling, as rates vary by country.

Key numbers at a glance

Receiving international calls in the UK on O2: free.
Making international calls without an add-on: up to £1.50 per minute to overseas mobiles.
Making international calls with the O2 International SIM: from 1p per minute.
Cost of the International SIM add-on: £3 per month for PAYM customers.

If your concern is purely about incoming calls, you have nothing to budget for. If you also make calls abroad regularly, the £3 monthly add-on is the straightforward way to bring those costs down sharply.

Frequently asked questions

do I get charged for incoming international calls on O2: No, you are not charged for receiving incoming calls from abroad on your O2 number while you are in the UK. Incoming international calls are treated the same as any other incoming call on your plan with no extra fees applied.
how much does O2 charge to call abroad: Without an add-on, calling an overseas mobile from the UK on O2 costs £1.50 per minute. However, with the O2 International SIM add-on (£3 per month), you can reduce this to as little as 1p per minute for calls to both international mobiles and landlines.
what is O2 International SIM add-on cost: The O2 International SIM add-on costs £3 per month for Pay Monthly customers. This add-on reduces international call rates to 1p per minute for calls to overseas mobiles and landlines, making it cost-effective even for occasional international callers.
does O2 International SIM affect incoming calls: No, the O2 International SIM add-on only affects outbound calls. Incoming calls to your UK O2 number remain completely free whether or not you have the add-on active, as O2 does not charge for calls received while in the UK.
can I use O2 International SIM for landlines abroad: Yes, the O2 International SIM covers both international mobile and landline numbers. You can make calls to overseas landlines at rates as low as 1p per minute with the £3 monthly add-on.

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Sources

O2 cuts international call charges to mobiles from £1.50 to as little as 1p a minute with O2 International SIM - Virgin Media O2 (news.virginmediao2.co.uk)
Pay Monthly: Calling abroad (www.o2.co.uk)

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