International Bolt-Ons for Calling Abroad

What Are International Bolt-Ons?

An international bolt-on is a monthly add-on that gives you a bundle of minutes to call overseas phone numbers from the UK. Without one, international calls are charged at premium per-minute rates — often £1 or more per minute depending on the destination. An international bolt-on brings that cost down dramatically, typically to just a few pence per minute.

These bolt-ons are ideal if you regularly call family, friends or business contacts in other countries.

International Bolt-Ons by Network

All four major UK networks offer international calling bolt-ons. Here is a comparison:

Network	Bolt-On Name	Cost	Includes
EE	International Add to Plan	From £5/month	100 mins to selected countries
Vodafone	International Calling	From £5/month	100–300 mins to 50+ countries
O2	International Bolt On	From £4.99/month	International minutes bundle
Three	International Add-ons	Varies	Some destinations included in Go Roam; add-ons for others

EE International Add to Plan

EE offers international bolt-ons starting at £5 per month for 100 minutes to a selection of popular destinations. You can add the bolt-on through the My EE app under Add-ons. Check EE's website for the full list of included countries, as coverage varies by tier.

Vodafone International Calling

Vodafone's international bolt-on starts at £5 per month and includes between 100 and 300 minutes to over 50 countries. The My Vodafone app lets you add the bolt-on under Extras. Higher-tier packages are available for heavier callers.

O2 International Bolt On

O2 offers international minute bundles from £4.99 per month. Add the bolt-on through the My O2 app under Bolt Ons. O2 regularly updates its destination lists, so check the app for the latest coverage.

Three International Add-ons

Three includes certain international destinations within its Go Roam scheme. For countries not covered, additional bolt-ons are available through the My3 app.

Which Countries Are Covered?

Most international bolt-ons cover the most frequently called destinations:

• United States and Canada
• Western Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Italy and others)
• Australia and New Zealand
• India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
• China and Hong Kong

Coverage for Africa, the Middle East and South America varies by network and bolt-on tier. Always check your network's specific list before purchasing.

International Calling for Business

If your team deals with international clients or suppliers, adding international bolt-ons to specific lines can save significant money. Rather than paying premium per-minute rates, bolt-ons give your team predictable monthly costs. Account administrators can add bolt-ons to individual lines without affecting the rest of the fleet.

Consider VoIP as an Alternative

For calls between colleagues or to contacts who use the same platform, VoIP apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and WhatsApp offer free international calls over your data connection. However, if you need to reach landlines or mobiles directly, an international bolt-on remains the most reliable option.

For standard international call rates without a bolt-on, see our guide to international call costs.