The European Commission has officially proposed to integrate Ukraine into the EU Roaming area, with the aim of full implementation by January 1, 2026. This initiative will extend the “Roam like at Home” benefits to both Ukrainian citizens in the EU and EU citizens in Ukraine.
Key benefits of the EU Roaming Area integration
- No Extra Roaming Fees: Travelers from Ukraine in the EU, and EU travelers in Ukraine, will not incur any additional charges for calls, SMS messages, and mobile data usage. All mobile services will be charged at domestic rates.
- Same Mobile Network Quality and Speed: Consumers are entitled to the same mobile network quality and speed abroad as they would experience at home, where equivalent networks are available.
- Free Access to Emergency Services: Access to emergency services will remain free of charge for users in both regions.
- Enhanced Connectivity: This permanent agreement builds upon existing voluntary measures between EU and Ukrainian telecommunications operators, which have provided affordable connectivity for over 4 million refugees since April 2022. This temporary agreement has been extended until December 31, 2025, ensuring continued benefits until the full integration.
- First Internal Market Treatment: Roaming will be the first area where the EU extends its internal market treatment to Ukraine, marking a significant step in Ukraine’s integration with the EU.
Next Steps
The proposal adopted by the Commission has been sent to the Council for its approval. This will allow both EU and Ukrainian operators to technically implement the “Roam like at Home” requirements in the interim.
Background
- The “Roam like at Home” rules were introduced in the EU in 2017, allowing EU consumers to use their mobile phones across EU borders at no extra cost.
- Ukraine expressed interest in joining this area in June 2022, and the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the intention to work towards this integration.
- In June 2025, Ukraine notified the full alignment of its roaming legislation with EU standards, a crucial condition for accessing the EU roaming area, as outlined in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
- The Commission’s assessment confirmed that Ukraine meets the necessary requirements, leading to the current proposal.
