- Dating fatigue, mismatched expectations and app burnout are pushing UK singles to swipe on their smartphones abroad in search of real connections
- Nearly 1 in 2 Brits say their best romantic experience happened abroad
- Holiday romances are thriving - but Roaming fees are a major turn-off, with 6.5 million Brits (30%) admitting to racking up bills of £150+ in charges after a holiday romance
- Almost 14 million Brits have had a holiday fling.
For many Brits, the biggest attraction this summer isn’t sun, sea or sangria, it’s the possibility of falling for someone new in a completely different time zone.
As ghosting culture and dating fatigue take their toll, a new trend is emerging: more Brits are choosing to look beyond British shores to reignite their romantic lives.
A new study from iD Mobile, which offers inclusive Roaming in 50 destinations - more than any other UK network, reveals a growing dependence on smartphones for romance, with 63% of Brits reliant on mobile connectivity to find love when abroad.
Nearly 2 in 3 (64%) of Brits have experienced a holiday romance, and 1 in 3 (32%) admit to using dating apps whilst on holiday to meet locals. In addition, almost two-thirds (60%) have even reactivated dormant dating profiles to find a match while travelling.
The survey of 2,000 single adults found that almost half (45%) felt they’ve been more successful in finding a more genuine romantic connection overseas than in the UK, while a third (34%) say that dating abroad helps them experience a destination more authentically. Furthermore, nearly a third of Brits (30%) admit that they’ve used dating as a way to swot up on a language they’ve been learning.
It also revealed that British travellers spend just over an hour a day (67 minutes) on average on dating apps when abroad, and almost one in five (18%) even admit to choosing their holiday destination due to its potential for romance.
Hotspots for Holiday Roam-ance
iD Mobile discovered the most popular hotspots for holiday romance from their 50 inclusive Roaming destinations, with Italy, Spain and France topping the list of those with the most dating potential:
- Italy
- Spain
- France
- Portugal
- Greece
- Sweden
- Germany
- Republic of Ireland
- Netherlands
- Norway
But while 1 in 10 (10%) say finding a holiday romance is a travel priority, more than a third (36%) admit they’re only after a short-term fling, with Men (33%) slightly more likely than Women (22%) to looking for something more serious from their holiday romance.
Sightseeing, Swiping and the Search for Something Real
Gone are the days when overseas romance was limited to chance encounters in bars or backpacker hostels. Today’s travellers, from weekend explorers to digital nomads, are blending travel with romantic curiosity, using mobile data to download and use dating apps as a way to build local connections and deepen cultural experiences.
The data also found:
- One in five (21%) say dating abroad was more “culturally impactful” than traditional sightseeing, with 30% open to dating a local while on holiday
- A third (31%) feel more confident and open-minded when dating internationally
- 45% say their most successful romantic experience happened outside the UK
Your Mobile Network Could Be Stopping You From Finding True Love
But while the chemistry may be cross-continental, connection is key, and Roaming charges can be a romance killer. Brits reported a range of challenges when dating abroad, especially when their data runs out:
- Nearly a quarter (23%) have used translation or language apps to flirt, with 39% experiencing mixed (and sometimes embarrassing) results - from accidental swearing to unintentionally insulting their date!
- 30% found the cost of using their phone abroad impacted their ability to date whilst on holiday - that’s an estimated 6.5 million people missing out on potential romantic connections because of pricey Roaming costs!
- A quarter (24%) have paid for extra roaming data to message someone whilst abroad, with 30% of Men admitting that they would spend more on Roaming charges to keep in touch with someone and only 18% of Women admitting to doing the same
- 1 in 10 have ghosted someone to avoid racking up Roaming charges.
- A third (30%) admit to being stung with a big bill after spending too much time on apps abroad, with 30% even racking up Roaming charges of £150+
Don't Let Roaming Kill the Mood
To help modern travellers flirt with confidence (and connectivity), iD Mobile has teamed up with TV presenter and sex and relationships expert Anna Richardson to give Brits some practical hacks for navigating romance abroad and turning holiday flirtations into more meaningful connections:
- Use Apps to Your Advantage: From dating to translation tools, tech can be a bridge - just always double-check before hitting send to avoid awkward misunderstandings!
- Read the room (and the culture): Swot up before diving blindly into an awkward situation. A kiss on the cheek in one place might mean something more elsewhere
- Flirting is About Confidence: It’s not all about chemistry. A great connection can start with something simple, like offering local tips or asking for recommendations
- Learn a Few Local Phrases: A little effort goes a long way and shows genuine interest
- Don’t let Roaming Kill the Mood: Ghosting because of mobile charges? Not a good look! Choose an iD Mobile plan with inclusive Roaming in 50 destinations worldwide, enabling you to stay connected without worrying about unexpected charges
“Travellers are shifting away from the idea that holiday romance has to mean something short-lived or superficial. Whether it’s a deep conversation over dinner in Florence or a hike with a local in Croatia, it’s about connection, not just chemistry.
Anna Richardson Sex and Relationships Expert
Flirting abroad can be exciting and memorable, but it’s easy to put your foot in it if you’re not tuned into the local culture. We’re helping would-be Casanovas navigate international romance with charm and confidence - and focus on the connection, not the cost.”
“Whether it’s sparks in Seville or soul-searching in Santorini, we want our customers to stay connected — for love, fun and everything in between. With inclusive Roaming in 50 destinations as standard on all iD Mobile plans, there no shocking bills, just better connection wherever your holiday takes you.”
Lewis Henry Marketing Director at iD Mobile
With iD Mobile’s offering inclusive Roaming as standard in 50 destinations worldwide and up to 30GB of data - more than any other UK network - Brits can date, swipe and stay connected, without the fear of unexpected charges. For more information on Roaming, visit www.idmobile.co.uk/roaming.