Roaming

Roaming is the use of a SIM card with a Liechtenstein phone number (+423) in foreign mobile networks. For this purpose, Liechtenstein mobile operators must conclude roaming agreements with mobile operators from other countries. This allows a customer from Liechtenstein to make calls, send text messages or use mobile internet services abroad. Billing for mobile services abroad (roaming charges) is handled by the Liechtenstein mobile operator according to the agreed rate or subscription.

Please consider the following recommendations when using mobile services abroad:

Phone calls abroad

There are two cases of phone calls abroad:

1) You call from another country, which is called "active roaming":

The call is set up by the foreign network operator and is billed to your Liechtenstein mobile operator. You pay your Liechtenstein mobile operator for the roaming calls made.

2) You are called while being in another country, which is called "passive roaming":

As opposed to domestic calls, you may also incur costs for passive calls.

Text messaging abroad

Sending text messages (SMS) abroad is subject to charges. Receiving text messages does not incur any extra costs.

Mail box (voicemail) abroad

When abroad, forwarding calls to your mobile mail box can be very expensive. Ask your operator about settings and costs of voicemail services before you go abroad.

Mobile data services abroad

The use of mobile data services outside the European Economic Area (EEA = EU + Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland) requires special attention regarding potential costs. Very high charges may be included in the rates and subscriptions of mobile operators for data units consumed abroad, e.g. 10 francs per megabyte. Any existing monthly included data volume may not apply in other EEA countries. In addition, certain configurations on your smartphone or notebook, such as automatic update services, even if running in the background, can cause high roaming costs without being noticed. It is therefore advisable to obtain information about roaming costs and check the configurations on the terminal device used before going abroad. There are often also alternative and cheaper options you can use, such as WIFI internet in hotels or internet cafes.

Advice for roaming abroad

Enquire with your operator before your stay abroad about the charges for phone calls, text messages and data services. With most operators, passive roaming, i.e. when you are called, is cheaper than active roaming.

The following are general rules which are derived from the EU Roaming Regulation and are applicable worldwide:

1. Data roaming:

Each operator must offer and guarantee a cost limit of 50 euros maximum (excl. VAT) – the equivalent of about 60 francs. The operator can also offer other maximum limits as an alternative. Once a limit is selected, the operator may not charge more than the selected limit without the customer's intervention. The customer must be informed after consumption of 80% of the maximum amount as well as when the maximum amount is reached. This information must contain details of what the customer needs to do to continue using data roaming.

2. Roaming information text message:

Operators must automatically send the end customer a personalised rate information message as soon as the customer enters another country. This message must include the cost of calls, text messages and data roaming. This information message can be cancelled at any time free of charge or be re-ordered again.

These two rules apply worldwide – except for roaming on airplanes and ships!

Roaming partners and rates of Liechtenstein operators (for all customers with FL number +423 7x):

Telecom Liechtenstein (FL1)

Salt (7acht)

Swisscom (NATEL FL)