Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Leaving your country or simply moving far from family has never been easier from a practical standpoint… and yet, staying truly connected to your loved ones remains a challenge. From the UK, between sometimes steep operator charges, different time zones, digital security, and the very practical questions of packages and gifts, maintaining the link requires a bit of organization.
This guide is based on offers from UK operators, messaging and video conferencing apps, and the needs of families scattered around the world. Its goal is to help you select the right tools, manage your costs, avoid bad surprises abroad, and maintain vibrant links with your loved ones.
Phone, data and roaming: understanding the basics to avoid a steep bill
International communications from the UK rely on three main pricing models. Knowing them already helps avoid many unpleasant surprises.
First, ” per-minute” calls. This is the simplest system to understand, but rarely the most cost-effective: you pay each minute of a call abroad at the standard rate of your operator. For some networks, these rates reach several pounds per minute for distant destinations.
Operators often offer “add-ons” or international options. This involves keeping your usual mobile plan and adding, for a fixed monthly cost, a block of minutes for calls to a defined set of countries. This model, favored by major operators like those in the UK, offers budget visibility: you know in advance the cost of your regular calls abroad, for example to your family in the United States or India.
Finally, plans that directly include international minutes. Some brands geared towards expatriates or diasporas inherently include calls to 40, 50 or even 200 destinations in their SIM‑only offers. Ideal if you call often and to several countries.
It is important to distinguish between calls made from the UK and usage while roaming (using your UK line abroad). To use the internet while roaming, you need to activate the ‘data abroad’ option in your phone’s settings. Furthermore, most operators apply a reasonable usage policy (‘fair use’): only a portion of your domestic data is usable abroad, not the entirety.
This point is crucial for staying in touch: a video call on WhatsApp or FaceTime over 4G, at a hotel or at friends’ abroad, can explode your bill if you haven’t properly checked roaming conditions or purchased a suitable pass.
Which operators for calling family from the UK?
The UK market is extremely competitive. Some players focus on included international calls, others on unbeatable per-minute rates, others still on roaming simplicity. Here is an overview of the main trends, presented in tables for clarity.
Plans with included international minutes
Several operators integrate minutes to abroad right from the base of their offers, particularly interesting if you often call your loved ones back home.
| Operator | Type of Offer | Included International Minutes | Example Monthly Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebara | SIM‑only | To 50+ countries, some plans with unlimited minutes | £5 (5GB), £20 (30GB), £30 (unlimited) | Unlimited to 50+ countries on unlimited plan, 1000 min to India, Europe + India roaming included |
| Lyca Mobile | Voice + data plans | Included international minutes (often 100 min) to 40+ countries | £10 (40GB), £20 (100GB), £25 (unlimited) | Targeted at diasporas, frequent promotions (‑50% first month) |
| Spusu | SIM‑only | 500 min to the EU included in all plans | £9.90 (20GB), £10.90 (40GB) | Simple positioning, Europe-oriented |
These offers are particularly suitable if your loved ones live in the covered countries (often Europe, North America, some Asian countries like India or China). Lebara, for example, includes in its destinations Australia, Canada, France, Italy, the United States, Ireland, Germany, Brazil, Thailand, South Korea, and Mexico.
Options and add-ons for international calls
If you don’t want to change operators, most major networks offer monthly options.
| Operator | Add‑on / Option | Main Content | Indicative Price / Month | Covered Countries (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE | International add‑on | 500 min to 50 countries | £14.05 (~2.8p/min) | US, Australia, India, China, Canada, Europe |
| EE | International Extra | 250 min to 100 countries | £28.15 | Extended list |
| EE | International Pass | Reduced rates in 65 countries | £2.16 | Various worldwide |
| Three | Call Abroad 100 | 100 min to 55 countries | £6 | US, Canada, Japan, Australia, China, Thailand |
| Three | Call Abroad Unlimited | Unlimited minutes to 55 countries | £12 | Same |
| Vodafone | International Saver 100 | 100 min to 100 countries | £6.15 | Widely covered worldwide |
| Vodafone | International Saver 500 | 500 min to 100 countries | £12.30 | Same |
| Vodafone | Call Abroad 75 | 75 min to 212 countries | £12.30 | Near-global list |
| Vodafone | Call Abroad 200 | 200 min to 212 countries | £24.65 | Same |
| VOXI | 100 International Minutes Extra | 100 min to 100 countries | £3 | Worldwide |
| Sky Mobile | International Saver | Calls at 5p/min to 60+ countries | £3 (then £4) | Europe, America, Asia |
| O2 | International Bolt‑on | Lowered rates from 1p/min to 200+ countries | £3 (contract), £2 (PAYG) | e.g., 2p/min to US, China, Australia (landline) |
These add‑ons become cost-effective as soon as you call regularly, even for just a few dozen minutes per month. Conversely, if you only make a few occasional calls, it’s sometimes better to pay per minute, provided you choose an operator with a very low per-minute rate.
When off-plan calls remain interesting
Some MVNOs (virtual operators) focus on extremely competitive per-minute rates. This is useful if you rarely call, or to a specific country.
| Operator | Examples of Per-Minute Rates (off-plan) |
|---|---|
| Lebara | 1p/min to Europe, India, North America, China, Australia, New Zealand; 3p/min to Pakistan; 5–7p/min to South Africa, Nigeria |
| Giffgaff | 1p/min to Eastern Europe; 2p/min to India, Western Europe, North America; 9–10p/min to South Africa and Nigeria |
| Talk Home | 1p/min to Eastern Europe, India, Bangladesh, Australia; 4p/min to Pakistan; 7p/min to South Africa; 5p/min to Western Europe, USA |
| Tesco Mobile | 1.5p/min to Eastern Europe, India; 2.5p/min to North America; 4p/min to Pakistan; 10–11.5p/min to South Africa, Nigeria |
| iD Mobile | 2p/min to India; 6p/min to North America; 8p/min to South Africa; 15p/min to Nigeria; 12p/min to Pakistan |
| Lyca Mobile | 3p/min to India; 6p/min to Eastern Europe; 7p/min to USA; 19p/min to Western Europe and South Africa |
| 1pMobile | 9p/min to Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand; 20p/min to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Africa |
| Honest Mobile | 7p/min to Europe, North America; 30p/min to India, Australia, New Zealand |
| Talkmobile | 19p/min to popular destinations (Europe, North America, India, Australia); 30p/min to Nigeria and Africa |
This type of pricing grid is particularly useful if you need to, for example, call a parent back in Pakistan, South Africa or Nigeria from time to time without necessarily subscribing to a monthly option.
Roaming: staying reachable while traveling without breaking the bank
Staying in touch with your loved ones isn’t limited to calls from the UK: you may want to keep your UK number during your travels, to receive calls from family or SMS from your bank.
Roaming conditions and rates can vary significantly from one operator to another and depending on destinations. It is essential to check the specific details with your provider before traveling.
| Operator | Europe Roaming (indicative) | Roaming Outside Europe (examples) | Fair Use Data Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| O2 | Europe included (40+ countries), up to 25GB | O2 Travel: £6/day (contract), £1.99/day (PAYG) | 25GB |
| EE | £2.47/day in Europe (contract/SIM‑only) | Roam Abroad Pass: £25/month (47 Europe countries + US, Canada, Mexico, Australia) | Varies by offer |
| Three | Go Roam Europe: £2/day; Go Roam World: £5/day (71 countries) | Included: calls, SMS, data (fair use 12GB) | 12GB |
| Vodafone | Zone A: Europe free on some plans | £7.39/day in other zones without Xtra Plan; Europe packs 8 or 15 days on PAYG | Depending on plan |
| VOXI | Europe Pass: £2.25–15 (1 to 15 days, fair use 20GB) | Global Roaming Pass: £15–25 (selection of countries) | 20GB |
| Giffgaff | EU Roaming free (5GB max) | No roaming outside Europe | 5GB |
| Smarty | EU Roaming free (12GB max) | Outside EU: purchase add‑ons | 12GB |
| Lebara | Europe + India roaming included on some plans | Elsewhere: roaming add‑on (e.g., USA: £10 for 2GB + 200 min + 100 SMS) | Varies |
Two pieces of advice stand out clearly: always check if your destination is included in your pass, and monitor the fair use data. A one-hour video call via WhatsApp can consume several hundred MB; it’s better to use Wi‑Fi whenever possible.
Internet calls: WhatsApp, Signal, FaceTime and others
For many scattered families, the real revolution has been the rise of internet calls (VoIP). Instead of paying your operator per minute, you use your data or Wi‑Fi connection to make voice or video calls.
Most used mainstream apps
In practice, the ” ideal” app is often the one your loved ones already use. Convincing the whole family to switch tools is rarely simple, especially with elderly people less comfortable with technology.
The most widespread tools are:
– WhatsApp: about 3 billion users worldwide. End‑to‑end encryption by default for messages and calls, groups, video calls, disappearing messages. Free, available on iOS, Android, web and computer. In 2024, in the UK, it’s one of the standards for family groups.
– Facebook Messenger: integrated with Facebook, but also accessible simply with a phone number. Audio/video calls, groups up to 250 people, “communities” up to 5000. End‑to‑end encryption is not enabled by default, you need to start ” secret conversations” for a security level equivalent to Signal or WhatsApp.
Signal is recommended by experts for its security: end-to-end encryption by default, minimal metadata collection, and open-source code. The app is free, available on iOS, Android, and computers, and can replace the SMS app on Android. It is particularly suitable for sensitive conversations with loved ones in countries with heavy surveillance.
– Viber: very popular in certain diasporas (Eastern Europe, Middle East). Free calls and messages between users, end‑to‑end encryption for private and group chats. Paid service “Viber Out” to call regular landlines and mobiles worldwide.
– Skype: the ancestor still alive, practical for parents already used to its interface. Video calls, groups, ability to call regular numbers by paying per minute.
– FaceTime: restricted to Apple users (iPhone, iPad, Mac). Very simple to use, particularly appreciated by families where everyone has an iPhone. Allows groups up to 32 participants.
These services share the same advantage: as long as everyone is connected to Wi‑Fi, you can spend hours on the phone or on video calls without touching your mobile bill.
Paid calls via apps: when your loved ones don’t have internet
If your parents or grandparents don’t use a smartphone, some services allow you to call their landlines or mobiles at very competitive rates, directly from an app.
Based on the rate sheets of several VoIP service providers, here are some examples of prices for calls to the United Kingdom. These rates can vary depending on operators and plans, but they give an idea of the average cost of communications to this country.
| Service | Pricing Model | Indicative Rate to UK (landline/mobile)* |
|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | Pay-as-you-go | ~$0.01/min |
| Rebtel | Pay-as-you-go or unlimited subscription | ~$0.02/min; unlimited 50 countries: $12/month |
| Viber Out | Pay-as-you-go or bundles | ~$0.02/min |
| NobelApp | Prepaid credit | ~$0.0199/min |
| Vonage | Domestic/international plans | ~$0.02/min to UK in some plans |
| Ooma | Pay-as-you-go or world subscriptions | Variable rates (very low to some countries) |
*Exact rates vary by landline/mobile and change regularly.
These services become valuable if, for example, you live in London and your parents stayed in a village where the connection is poor, but the landline works well. Using an app like Rebtel, you call their landline for a few cents per minute, often cheaper than a direct call via your mobile operator.
Limitations and constraints of internet calls
VoIP calls have their drawbacks:
– You need an internet connection on both sides for app‑to‑app calls.
– On a mobile, if you’re not on Wi‑Fi, data consumption comes from your plan (and can be expensive while roaming).
– Some countries restrict or block VoIP features of WhatsApp, FaceTime, or others. In these cases, some families bypass these blocks via a VPN, at the cost of certain local legal considerations.
In some states (like China, Iran, or some regions of the Middle East), communication surveillance is more intensive. For loved ones living in these areas, combining a reliable VPN, an encrypted app like Signal or WhatsApp, and basic security practices is recommended.
Time zones: taming the offset hours to keep the link
Geographic distance is one thing; time zone differences are another. For many families, it’s even the real problem: when you wake up, your loved ones are getting ready to sleep.
A study of people living between the UK, North America, and China — a difference of up to 12 hours — showed that all considered scheduling as a major challenge. Families in the same time zone tend to talk spontaneously; those separated by several hours of difference tend to turn calls into “appointments.”
Establishing “flexible routines”
Instead of explicitly negotiating each call, most families end up establishing implicit “windows”: for example, Sunday morning in London corresponds to Sunday afternoon in Beijing, and becomes the quasi-automatic slot for the weekly video call.
Several observations stand out:
– Weekends are often favored, as there’s more free time.
– Most people adapt their own schedule very little, except for exceptional events (birthdays, religious holidays).
– When a change in routine (new job, travel) occurs, it is often announced via message or email, and calls become rarer or shorter during that period.
This flexible, yet regular, functioning helps preserve the link while limiting mental load.
Tools to tame time differences
On the practical side, several tools make time management easier:
To effectively manage time zone differences with your loved ones abroad, several practical tools exist. Display multiple clocks (on your phone, computer, or a wall at home) corresponding to the time zones of your parents or your children studying abroad. Use time zone conversion sites like worldtimebuddy.com, dateful.com, or Time and Date. In Google Calendar, activate the “secondary time zone” option to directly view the times of both countries side by side. Finally, for regular calls, schedule recurring appointments in a shared calendar with automatic reminders so you never forget them.
Researchers also note an interesting phenomenon: a 12‑hour difference (morning vs. evening) can sometimes be easier to live with than an 8‑hour difference, which overlaps poorly with everyone’s leisure time. From the UK, calling Australia early in the morning or late at night can ultimately integrate more naturally into a routine than calling the US West Coast in the middle of the day.
Digital security: staying in touch without exposing your loved ones (or yourself)
Traveling with your phone, computer, or tablet to keep in touch with family has become the norm. But we must not forget that calls, messages, and data can interest criminals as much as certain foreign security services.
Before traveling: preparing “clean” devices
Several recommendations recur in security guides:
– Do not bring unnecessary devices: the fewer data you have on you, the better.
– Avoid carrying sensitive information (work files, detailed contact lists, passwords).
– Back up all your data before leaving, on a medium left at home or in a trusted cloud (OneDrive, Google Drive, Box, etc.).
– Use, if possible, a “travel” phone or computer, more basic, pre-configured to contain minimal information.
– Update all your systems (security patches, antivirus, firewall) and enable disk encryption (BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on macOS).
– Create strong passwords (at least 8 characters with numbers, letters, symbols) and never write them down in the case or on the device.
For sensitive communications, it is recommended to use a paid and reputable VPN, rather than a free service that might sell your data. This precaution is particularly important in countries practicing aggressive surveillance, like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and some regions of the Middle East.
During travel: be wary of public networks
In a hotel room, an internet cafe, an airport, or a co-working space, you should never assume confidentiality. Basic recommendations are simple:
To protect your data while traveling: avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi and use a VPN if necessary; disable wireless connections (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS) when they are not needed; never plug your phone into a public USB port to avoid “juice jacking” and prefer your own chargers; be wary of unknown USB drives and do not connect your keys to third-party computers; always type your passwords manually on shared machines and do not activate memorization options; regularly clear history, cookies, and temporary files after a session on a shared computer; do not leave your devices unattended and, if possible, remove the battery and SIM card for prolonged storage.
To keep in touch with your loved ones while traveling, it can be relevant to reserve the most sensitive exchanges (medical data, financial questions) for end‑to‑end encrypted channels (Signal, WhatsApp, Tuta Mail for email), and keep the rest for simple, innocuous conversations.
Upon return: cleaning traces
A good practice recommended by many security services involves: using strong and unique passwords for each online account to protect personal and professional information.
– Change all passwords used abroad.
– Have your devices analyzed by your company’s IT service or by a technician if you handle sensitive data.
– Back up what needs to be backed up, then consider a complete wipe and reset of devices that have been on risky networks.
– Do not reconnect, without reformatting them, external drives or USB keys used abroad.
For typical family use, this level of paranoia isn’t always necessary, but keeping in mind that your phone is also a microphone, a location tracker, and a password vault helps you stay cautious.
Staying close isn’t limited to calls. For many, photos, cards, and packages hold an unmatched value.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Snapchat allow sharing photos, videos, and little everyday messages. According to some surveys, nearly two‑thirds of social media users say they use them primarily to stay in touch with family, and women use them even more than men for this reason.
The positive effects are clear:
– Maintaining a link with cousins, uncles or aunts you wouldn’t see otherwise.
– Serving as a “conversation starter”: a post becomes the pretext for a call or a more intimate message.
– Creating a family memory: a feed filled with birthday, vacation, first day of school photos functions as a collective digital album.
But these tools can also bring tensions:
Family exchanges on social media can become superficial (reduced to ‘likes’) at the expense of deep conversations. Some members may feel excluded if they don’t have access to specific apps or private groups. Furthermore, refusing a friend request from a relative can be perceived as an affront.
To get the best out of them, several specialists suggest establishing “screen‑free zones” (meals, family gatherings) and keeping a space for direct exchanges, by phone or face‑to‑face, especially when it comes to sensitive topics.
Letters, postcards and “paper” projects
Despite the abundance of digital tools, handwritten letters or postcards remain a very appreciated mode of contact, particularly by elderly people. From the UK, sending a card internationally via Royal Mail costs, for standard formats, just a few pounds, depending on the service chosen (Standard or Economy).
Some good practices:
– Respect the international standard format for postcards (approx. 14 × 9 to 23.5 × 12 cm).
– Write the recipient’s address in capital letters, in English, with the country in full on the last line.
– Clearly note your return address.
– Send cards in advance for major holidays, taking delivery times into account (one to two weeks for Europe, several weeks for Australia in Economy).
Services like PostSnap even allow you to create personalized cards with your own photos, printed and mailed for you.
Packages and gifts: thinking about customs, taxes and restrictions
Sending a package from the UK abroad requires a bit more preparation. As soon as you step outside the framework of simple letters, a customs declaration becomes mandatory for most destinations.
The key points are five in this article.
– Fill out a customs form with a detailed description of contents, actual value, and explicit mention of the “gift” reason if it’s a present.
– Check the specific rules of each country: some limit the value of gifts exempt from taxes (for example, the United States generally exempts gifts under $800), others impose low thresholds (Canada, Norway, South Africa, Thailand).
– Research the list of prohibited or restricted items: alcohol, perfumes, perishable food, plants, certain types of batteries, etc.
– Prefer sturdy packaging, and rather a gift bag than wrapping paper, as customs may open the package for inspection.
Specialized companies, like some British gourmet hamper houses, offer to include duties and taxes in their prices and manage the customs part for you. This is a comfortable solution if you regularly send gifts (Christmas, birthdays) to your expatriate loved ones.
Scattered families and elderly people: staying present despite the distance
For expatriates settled in the UK with aging parents who stayed in another country, the question of the link isn’t limited to a few video calls. It’s also about moral, practical, and sometimes financial support.
Helping seniors embrace technology
It’s estimated that about three‑quarters of elderly people need help to embrace new digital tools. Once this barrier is crossed, the benefits for the relationship are huge: a weekly 30‑minute video call can recreate that feeling of “dropping by the house” for tea.
Points that help:
To facilitate the use of digital tools for the elderly, prefer simple devices like a tablet with a large screen or a smartphone with large icons. Pre‑install and configure the essential apps (WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, possibly a Facebook account for family photos). Create illustrated instruction sheets with screenshots, for example: “To call me: press here” or “If you can’t see me anymore, press there.” Finally, devote time, during the first calls, to repeating the steps patiently.
At the same time, it’s important to address security: explain not to click on suspicious links, never to give out bank codes or passwords over the phone, even if the person claims to be “from tech support.”
Sharing activities remotely
To nurture the link beyond simple updates, many families invent shared activities:
– Watching the same movie or show at the same time, starting playback together, then talking about it on the phone.
– Cooking the same recipe, each in their own kitchen, on video.
– Reading the same book in parallel and discussing it once a week.
– Playing games suitable for video calls (charades, riddles, quizzes, homemade bingo).
Establishing rituals during phone calls provides temporal landmarks in the week. This practice transforms a simple conversation into an anticipated and valued moment, thus strengthening the bond and anticipation between the interlocutors.
Organizing practical help from the UK
Staying in touch also means being there when it’s time to organize care or home help. From the UK, several levers are possible:
– Build a local network around the parent (family, neighbors, friends, associations) and gather all the numbers in a single shared document.
– Use delivery services (groceries, meals) to lighten the daily load.
– Send financial support via money transfer platforms.
– Use consulting or care coordination companies in your parents’ country, who can visit, assess needs, recommend facilities or home help.
Even if you live far away, recognizing that you are a “long‑distance carer” allows access to *resources and support groups* — including in the UK where declaring yourself as a “carer” to the health structures of your loved ones can open certain rights or information.
Beyond individual exchanges, many scattered families organize real ” virtual family meetings“. These don’t replace big Christmas dinners, but allow an uncle in Canada, a cousin in Spain, and grandparents in India to meet regularly around a screen.
To succeed in these meetups, a few elements seem decisive:
For an effective family video conference, start by setting a clear objective (catching up, celebrating a birthday, sharing memories, or organizing an event). Prepare a small outline: a round‑table for news, a collective activity or game, then free time. Limit the duration to a maximum of one hour to avoid screen fatigue. Finally, assign roles: a “master of ceremonies” to launch topics, a “technical lead” for help with microphone or camera issues, and an “activity leader” if games are planned.
Tools like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or FaceTime (if everyone is on Apple) are generally sufficient. It’s useful to do a small test with the less comfortable people a few days before to ensure they know how to join the meeting.
After the gathering, sharing a few screenshots, photos, or a short summary in a WhatsApp family group helps prolong the memory.
Choosing your tools based on your family, not the other way around
Staying in touch with loved ones when you live in the UK isn’t about finding the “perfect app”, but rather about putting together a toolkit adapted to your situation.
For a given family, it might look like this:
Strategies and tools to maintain regular and warm communication with distant relatives.
A Lebara or Lyca Mobile plan with unlimited international minutes to call parents on their landline each week.
A WhatsApp group for daily updates, kids’ photos, links, and spontaneous little messages.
Signal calls for certain more sensitive conversations with a relative living in a country with heavy surveillance.
A FaceTime or Zoom video call ritual on Sunday morning with the grandparents.
A postcard sent for each major holiday, and a carefully prepared gift parcel once or twice a year.
For another, it will be the opposite: very little phone, lots of written exchanges by email, a private group on Facebook, and long Skype calls only for big occasions.
The essential thing is to keep a few simple principles in mind:
To maintain the link with your loved ones abroad, favor tools they already master, especially for seniors. Smartly combine VoIP, Wi‑Fi, and international calling plans to limit costs. Schedule exchanges respecting everyone’s schedules and time zones using dedicated management tools. Pay particular attention to digital security, especially when traveling or in risky areas. Finally, vary communication formats (audio calls, video, written messages, sending packages) to enrich the relationship beyond simply scrolling through social media.
With a little preparation and the right habits, the distance between the UK and the rest of the world shrinks considerably. The miles remain, but the voice, the face, and everyday attentions can continue to flow freely, and that is the essential thing.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
