Communications: Elon Musk scraps Global Roam; Starlink restricts usage abroad

The new rules have been in force for new customers since 14 July 2026. For existing contracts, the change came into effect on 17 August 2026. Previously, Starlink Roam could be used internationally for up to 60 days per stay. This period has now been halved.

Starlink Roam: What’s changing

Starlink Roam Unlimited is currently listed in Germany at a monthly price of 95 euros. The tariff offers unlimited roaming data; however, during periods of high network utilisation, it is given lower priority than Priority plans. As a result, speeds may be reduced.

There are now additional restrictions on the use of Starlink outside one’s home region:

A problem on long cruises

For a crew on a long voyage, Starlink Global Roam was particularly appealing because it allowed internet access to be used across several countries without the need for short-term international contracts. Anyone sailing from Europe to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and on to the Pacific did not have to renew their contract every few weeks.

This planning certainty is no longer available. According to the provider, once the 30 days have elapsed, the Starlink antenna must be returned to the registered home country, the tariff changed, or the account transferred to the country in which the antenna is being used. For a motorboat or yacht that regularly changes its mooring and country of residence, these solutions are difficult to implement.

Transferring an account can also be problematic. Depending on the circumstances, Starlink states waiting periods of 90 or 120 days following activation or purchase. In addition, there may be different prices, availability conditions and regulatory requirements in the destination country.

The Mobile Internet Resource Centre It also reports that Local Priority can extend international usage under certain conditions. However, for long-term communication at sea, Global Priority remains the significantly more expensive, yet more comprehensive, Starlink option.

Travel registration required

For international use of Starlink, the provider also requires a Travel Registration. This may require your full name, nationality, date of birth, a copy of your passport or ID card, and a Live Photo.

Registration confirms your identity and your intended use abroad. However, it does not remove the data limits and does not guarantee that Starlink is available in the relevant country or maritime area. The exact requirements are set out in Starlink in the Help Centre.

Before setting off on a longer sailing trip, boat owners should therefore check the following:

• Is Starlink authorised in the destination country?
• Is international usage included in my tariff?
• Do I need to apply for a travel registration?
• What is the time limit outside the registered home region?
• What alternatives are there if your account is suspended or your tariff is changed?

Starlink remains an attractive option for coastal voyages

For many motorboat owners, however, Starlink Roam Unlimited remains a viable solution. Within Germany and the European region, the tariff can be an attractive option for stays in harbours, coastal trips and cruises across several countries. Those who stay in the Mediterranean and do not leave the European region permanently are less affected than a crew on a round-the-world voyage.

The situation is different outside coastal waters. Starlink Roam is generally designed for mobile and predominantly land-based use. In coastal waters, a connection is possible up to twelve nautical miles offshore. For greater distances, Ocean Mode must be activated, provided this option is available for the respective connection. The additional data is then charged on a pay-as-you-go basis. Roam Unlimited is therefore not an unlimited Starlink data plan for the Atlantic or Pacific. Further details can be found in the Starlink overview of roaming usage.

Users will also have to accept compromises when it comes to speed. Starlink Roam data is given lower priority during periods of high network usage. The connection is often sufficient for emails, weather updates, navigation, phone calls and the occasional video conference. Large downloads, streaming and multiple devices that are constantly active, on the other hand, can place a much greater strain on the available bandwidth.

What the new rule means for on-board procedures

For a short trip abroad lasting less than 30 days, Starlink Roam Unlimited remains affordable. Anyone spending several weeks travelling along the French, Croatian or Greek coast by motorboat can still make good use of this plan.

For longer journeys, the planning should be different. Three questions are crucial:

• How long will the boat remain outside its registered home region?
• Is Starlink only needed for weather, navigation and communications?
• Have the higher costs of a priority fare been factored into the on-board budget?

For a trip lasting several months across multiple countries and oceans, you should check right from the start whether Starlink Global Priority is affordable. The costs are significantly higher than those of Roam Unlimited. The confirmed price at present is 241 euros per month for a Global Priority package with 50 gigabytes. Larger data packages can be considerably more expensive. A fully standardised German price list is not publicly available.

The prices mentioned earlier, which were based on older tariff models – such as 284 euros for 50 gigabytes or 1,119 euros for one terabyte – should therefore not be taken at face value as current Starlink prices without further verification.

Standby mode is just a stopgap measure

Standby mode remains the alternative. The Mobile Internet Resource Centre quotes a cost of around ten US dollars a month for this, with a significantly reduced speed of approximately 500 kilobits per second. It is not yet clear whether days spent in standby mode whilst abroad count towards the new 30-day allowance. (Mobile Internet Resource Centre)

Standby mode may be sufficient for short messages, simple emails or reactivating your connection. However, the connection is not suitable for large weather maps, software updates, video calls or streaming. On a longer sailing trip, therefore, this mode is no substitute for reliable internet access. A BOOTE guide to Starlink, hardware and costs organises the technical operations on board.

Book recommendation

Handbook for Motorboat Operators is a compact reference guide for practical use on board. It covers the most important topics, ranging from hull shape and trip planning to engine technology, navigation, weather, navigation marks, rules of way and man-overboard manoeuvres. Detailed colour illustrations explain procedures step by step. This makes the book ideal for motorboat owners, beginners and anyone wishing to refresh their knowledge before or during a trip.