Polish travellers are using far less mobile data abroad than their EU roaming allowances permit, according to new research from mobile operator Play. The findings show that despite generous data packages, the average Pole consumes between 3.5 and 5.6 gigabytes per trip, depending on destination.
According to Spider’s Web – technologie, the number of Poles travelling abroad continues to grow each year. In August 2026, 2.31 million Play customers used roaming services, representing a 4.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year. All three summer months recorded growth in roaming usage.
How much data Poles actually use
Under EU roaming rules, often called “roam like home”, Polish mobile customers can use a portion of their domestic data allowance when travelling within the European Union at no extra cost. The size of the roaming allowance depends strictly on the price of the plan: a package costing 35 złoty per month provides approximately 12 GB in EU roaming, while a 70-złoty plan offers around 24 GB.
However, Play’s analysis reveals that such generous allowances far exceed actual usage. Norwegians topped the data consumption chart at 5.6 GB on average, despite Norway not being an EU member – it belongs to the European Economic Area and supports roam-like-home principles. Germany came second with 4.26 GB, followed by Spain at 4.17 GB.
Other popular destinations showed even lower usage: Bulgaria registered 4 GB, Croatia 3.83 GB, Italy 3.79 GB, and Greece 3.45 GB. Similar roaming arrangements apply in Ukraine and Moldova, the operator noted.
Shift in communication habits
Despite the modest figures, data consumption abroad has jumped 30 per cent year on year. The operator attributes this to changing communication patterns: Poles are sending fewer text messages and making fewer voice calls, relying instead on internet-based messengers such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to stay in touch with family and friends.
Play’s data also highlights shifting travel preferences among Poles. Traditional holiday destinations – Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Morocco – remain the most popular. However, traffic has declined to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while Kenya has gained in popularity.
What this means for Poles in the UK
For Poles living in Britain who travel back to Poland or elsewhere in Europe, understanding roaming allowances can help avoid bill shock and ensure value for money. If you hold a UK mobile contract and visit Poland or other EU countries, post-Brexit roaming charges may apply depending on your network. Some UK operators have reintroduced fees for EU travel, while others maintain roam-like-home arrangements – check your provider’s terms before departure.
Conversely, if you maintain a Polish mobile contract while living in the UK, be aware that long-term roaming outside Poland may be subject to fair-use policies. Operators can restrict roaming if you spend more time abroad than in Poland over a four-month period. For short visits to Poland or EU holiday destinations, the data shows that even basic roaming allowances of 12–15 GB are likely to be more than sufficient for typical use.
Always verify your plan’s roaming terms and check whether your destination is covered under EU roaming rules or requires a separate data package to avoid unexpected charges.
