jdani81
Two years on, there is still some confusion with the June 2017 EU roaming directive
If you are roaming then virtually all calls between EU member states are included (but please see the notes below).
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE UK
From 20th September 2018 To make things a little easier all giffgaff customers are given a 14 day grace period during which they are able to 'Roam Like At Home'.
However, if no prior UK usage is detected giffgaff will send an SMS asking you to submit proof of UK residency in order to remain eligible.
To set up EU Roaming.
Nice and easy, all that you need to do is enable roaming in your giffgaff profile, if it is not already enabled,
https://giffgaff.com/profile/details
YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE UK.
Do ensure that you also have enabled data roaming and mobile data on your phone as well (easy to overlook).
Also ensure that you have enabled international calling here: https://giffgaff.com/call-services
If roaming will not turn on, please see the FAQ's here: https://giffgaff.com/roaming-charges
Please also see https://support2.giffgaff.com/app/ask/International-and-Roaming/Using-a-goodybag-while-in-the-EU-%28Roam-Like-at-Home%29/form/ if you need to submit documents to giffgaff.
DATA
You also need to check your APN (internet) settings on your phone if you wish to use data while roaming, these should be:
Username: "giffgaff"
APN: "giffgaff.com"
password: [Leave blank]
Proxy: [Leave blank]
Restart your phone and you will be able to use your goodybag anywhere within the EU for calls texts and data with the same rates as you enjoy in the UK.
Once changed these settings will work in both the EU AND the UK.
USE IN THE UK
The EU regulation (it is not a directive, is not law and can, therefore, be revoked by the EU) ONLY applies to use of your SIM outside your home country it does not legislate for charges while using a UK SIM while in the UK
MINIMUM PERIOD
Please note that if travelling and if you have just joined giffgaff you will NOT get free EU goodybag roaming activated immediately as a pattern of usage or proof of stable links to the SIM issuing country needs to be established.
There is a way around this if you submit proof of UK residency first (and BEFORE you leave the UK) how to do this is described in the FAQs on this link.: https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Using-giffgaff/Using-your-mobile-abroad/ta-p/3522931
If you do not qualify then you will have to use airtime credit for all activity in the EU, you can buy this at www.giffgaff.com/buy/topup
Notes:
The EU roaming regulation does NOT affect ANY activity while in the UK and using your 'home' network (giffgaff) as you are NOT roaming when in the UK and this will continue to be charged as normal (i.e. you will need airtime credit from www.giffgaff.com/buy/topup to make international calls / send texts).
The EU regulation does not apply to free giffgaff to giffgaff calls where the 'calling' phone needs to be in the UK; the regulation only applies to calls which are normally charged.
The EU regulation does not apply to use on-board ferries or cruise ships.
The EU regulation states that it is designed for 'occasional' use and cites a maximum period of 60 days roaming use in any four-month period.
As stated above. you will get a maximum of 60 days inclusive roaming after which you will be on PAYG rates (although these actually reduce to 3.2p per minute 1p per text and 0.47p (£0.0047) (just under half a penny) per MB of data if you still have an active goodybag).
