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The launch of negotiations on the abolition of roaming between the EU and the Western Balkans is approved

Politiko 2026-06-03 12:11:05

The launch of negotiations on the abolition of roaming between the EU and the

Ambassadors of European Union (EU) member states have approved the start of negotiations on the abolition of roaming with the Western Balkan countries, it has been unofficially confirmed by the EU Council.

The decision concerns the opening of negotiations with Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia on roaming on public mobile communications networks.

The EU Council is expected to officially approve the decision on Thursday, June 4, and negotiations can then begin with each country in the region individually.

The Cypriot Presidency of the European Union stated that they strongly support the European path of the Western Balkans.

"The expansion of the roaming-free zone is a clear sign of our commitment to the region. We welcome the formal adoption of the decision authorizing the opening of negotiations for the agreements," said a spokesman for the Cyprus-led Presidency.

The European Commission in February proposed the abolition of roaming for the Western Balkans.

“Roam Like at Home” applies in EU member states and countries of the European Economic Area. In January this year, the regulation was extended to Ukraine and Moldova, even though these countries are not EU members.

European officials expect the negotiations to be concluded by the end of this year. In an ideal scenario, roaming between Western Balkan countries and the EU could be abolished as early as next year. However, European officials emphasize that everything depends on the willingness of the countries in the region to advance in these negotiations.

“Roam Like at Home” represents one of the European Union's most successful policies dedicated to its citizens. It has been in force since 2017.

It is a European Commission regulation that enables the use of mobile phones in other member states at the same prices as in the country of origin.

This means that when using a mobile phone in the EU area there are no additional costs for calls, SMS and internet use, but the tariffs of the country of origin apply. The same rule applies to calls and messages that users receive while abroad./ REL

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