The European Union expands roaming and the telecommunications sector warns of market risks
The European Commission has added Ukraine and Moldova to the mobile roaming area, allowing citizens to make calls, send messages, and use data across borders without additional charges. Experts warn that this rapid expansion could strain networks and affect market stability.
Ukraine and Moldova joined the roaming area on January 1, 2026, after years of negotiations. EU citizens traveling to these countries now benefit from the same roaming advantages, marking an important step in accessing mobile services across borders.
Albania and Montenegro are expected to follow later in 2026. However, telecommunications operators warn that accelerating the accession of new countries could lead to market imbalances, as Ukraine and Moldova underwent lengthy and meticulous processes before their acceptance. Previous participants also warn that expansion should not harm stability.
GSMA, the international telecommunications body, expressed concern that allowing non-EU countries to join the roaming area before completing the accession process could divert resources from investment in networks. The wholesale costs of the EU and revenue imbalances between countries are also points of contention.
Delays in the roaming expansion strategy have postponed its announcement until spring 2026. Meanwhile, EU rules set roaming charges at €1.10 per gigabyte, €0.019 per minute of calls, and €0.003 per text message, although some cross-border fees remain in place, which activists are calling for to be abolished.