Brussels – The EU’s free roaming area was first introduced on 15 June 2017 as a result of a Regulation approved in 2012, entering into force across the territories of all EU member states and the three EEA/EFTA countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
In 2022, the 2012 Regulation was recast and extended for another ten years, until 30 June 2032.
From 1 January 2021, the EU Regulation no longer automatically applies in the post-Brexit United Kingdom, though some UK operators may still offer similar benefits based on bilateral agreements with EU and non-EU operators.
Ukraine and Moldova joined the free roaming area on 1 January 2026.
Plans are currently underway to include the Western Balkans region. The forthcoming abolition of all roaming charges in both Montenegro and Albania is expected by the end of 2026.
The free roaming area is a policy that allows mobile phone users from EU member states and associated countries to use their mobile phones abroad in other participating countries without paying extra roaming charges.
It is based on the ‘Roam Like at Home’ principle, meaning that when you travel to another member of the no-roaming-charge area, your mobile calls, texts and data work just like at home, and you do not have to pay extra fees for roaming.
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