Balkan Countries to Get Free Phone Roaming

EU Recommendation to Open Negotiations on Mobile Roaming with Six Western Balkan Countries

• Purpose
  The European Commission recommends that the Council authorise negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to create bilateral roaming agreements. The goal is to bring these countries into the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” area, so people can use mobile services abroad without extra charges.

• Background
  • The EU’s roaming policy has let millions of users travel across the EU without surcharges since 15 June 2017.
  • The roaming area now covers the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), Ukraine, and Moldova (effective 1 January 2026).
  • The six Western Balkan partners (WB6) already have a “Roam Like at Home” regime (since 1 July 2021) and a voluntary roaming agreement that lowered data roaming costs (effective 1 October 2023).
  • The WB6 are in various stages of EU accession: five are candidate countries, Kosovo is a potential candidate.

• Legal Basis
  • Article 218(3) and (4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) – the Commission can recommend opening negotiations.
  • Article 207(4) TFEU – the agreements fall under the EU’s common commercial policy.
  • The Commission will be the negotiator.

• Key Elements of the Proposed Agreements

1. Full implementation of the EU roaming acquis (including the Roaming Regulation (EU) 2022/612 and related rules) must be confirmed by the Commission before the roaming area is extended.
2. Reciprocal opening of the roaming market once the acquis is fully implemented.
3. Dynamic alignment – the WB6 must keep their laws in line with future changes to the EU roaming rules.
4. Enforcement and safeguards – the EU can suspend or terminate parts of the agreement if a WB6 fails to comply.
5. Institutional framework – the agreements will be managed by the Stabilisation and Association Committee, with the Court of Justice of the EU as the ultimate interpreter.
6. Indefinite duration with clear procedures for suspension and termination.

• Impact Assessment
  • No budgetary cost is expected.
  • The WB6 markets contain about 18 million end users, compared with 40 million for Ukraine and Moldova.
  • The agreements are seen as a practical step toward deeper EU integration and are consistent with the 2023 Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

• Conclusion
  The Council is urged to adopt a decision that authorises the Commission to open negotiations on roaming agreements with the six Western Balkan countries, following the procedures outlined above. This will extend the EU’s roaming benefits to millions of users in the region and support their path toward EU membership.