Can I use a licence-free radio abroad?

Released On 27th Oct 2016

There may be times when it would be useful to take your walkie-talkies abroad with you. Find out when you can legally operate PMR446 radios in other countries.

Although a UK licence-free walkie-talkie is technically capable of functioning anywhere in the world, it may not be legal to operate one in many countries. This is because UK licence-free radios are restricted to operate on just the PMR446 frequencies, but in other countries, those frequencies may be allocated to other types of users, for example emergency services, police or licensed business users.  They would not welcome interference on those channels from walkie-talkie users, and in fact, the penalties if you're caught can be severe!

If you want to use this type of radio abroad, you must first make sure the frequency is an unrestricted frequency in the country you are visiting.

Using a licence-free radio in Europe

Licence-free radios can be used in most EU countries that implement PMR446 (Personal Mobile Radio 446 MHz). This is an EU standard used in many European countries, including the UK. These frequencies are set aside so that walkie-talkies are available to everyone, and to ensure they don’t interfere with the channels used by licensed radio users.

Using licence-free radios in the US

In the USA, your British-bought PMR446 radio can only be used with a licence because those frequencies in America are allocated to amateur radio operators and military radar operators. Nor are you permitted to modify a UK licence-free walkie-talkie to operate on the American FRS (Family Radio Service), the equivalent licence-free frequencies in the US.  

On the flip side, a US licence-free radio isn’t legally useable here in the UK either, because it operates around radio frequencies 462 and 467 MHz, which are reserved for emergency services in the UK.

There is no global licence-free frequency

Unfortunately there is no walkie-talkie that can be used licence-free around the world because standards are different in so many countries, and a radio which transmits on the 446MHz frequencies in the UK should not be modified to transmit on different frequencies in another country.

Something else to consider when using a radio overseas (or any electrical gadget for that matter) is mains voltage. In the UK the mains uses 240 volts, but in other countries this can be higher or lower, so attempting to charge a walkie-talkie with different voltage could damage it.

What happens if I use a PMR446 radio in a country where that frequency is not licence free?

The consequences for using a radio that’s configured for the UK licence-free frequency in a country where that frequency should be licensed may differ from country to country. In the U.S. for example, you may have your radio confiscated and be fined, or even imprisoned!

Beware buying imported walkie-talkies for licence-free use in the UK

It's not that difficult to find vendors on platforms like eBay offering what they claim to be "long-range" walkie-talkies for sale in the UK. Be aware that these devices are often imported from overseas (for example walkie-talkies advertised as having 14 or 22 channels are most likely from the USA), and cannot be modifed to operate legally in the UK as licence-free radios. Even the "long-range" claim should be treated warily, as the legal maximum transmission power for a licence-free radio is restricted to a maximum 1/2 watt (500Mw), which won't give you anything like the 5- or 10-mile range that is often claimed by these vendors.

If you’re planning to take two-way radios abroad, check that PMR446 frequencies are licence-free in the country you are travelling to, especially if it’s outside Europe. If they’re not, allow time to arrange the necessary licences.

Browse our selection of licence-free radios for use in the UK or EU, or call us on 0151 676 2888 for expert help.

You might also be interested in:

• Facts about licence free radios
• Is there a difference between two way radios and walkie-talkies?
• Motorola launches its first waterproof, licence free walkie-talkie