European Commission proposes to integrate Ukraine into EU Roaming area 

On 17 June, the European Commission proposed to integrate Ukraine into the EU Roaming area from January 2026. This will enable Ukrainians to call, text and use their mobile data from Ukrainian phone numbers in the 27 EU countries at no extra cost, and extend the same benefits to Europeans who may be in Ukraine. 

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We want Ukrainian citizens to stay connected to their loved ones across the EU, as well as in their home country. That’s why we propose that Ukraine join our roaming family. Once more, we reaffirm our continued commitment to stand by Ukraine and its citizens.” 

Roaming is the first area where the EU would extend internal market treatment to Ukraine. 

In practice, this means that travellers from Ukraine visiting the EU, and travellers from the EU visiting Ukraine will not pay any extra roaming fees. The use of all mobile services, including calls, SMS messages and data will be charged at domestic rates. The agreement also ensures that consumers are entitled to the same mobile network quality and speed as at home, and that access to emergency services is free of charge. 

Moreover, the current agreement between EU and Ukrainian telecommunications operators will be extended until 31 December 2025. This will ensure that Europeans and Ukrainians can continue to enjoy the benefits of the common roaming area until Ukraine effectively joins the EU Roaming area. 

The Commission has sent the proposal adopted today to the Council for its approval. According to the proposal, Ukraine would effectively join the EU ‘Roam like at Home’ area on 1 January 2026. 

Since 2017, Roam like at Home rules allow EU consumers, while travelling, to continue to call and transfer data across EU borders for the same cost as at home, and with the same mobile network quality and speed. 

In April 2022, European and Ukrainian operators agreed on voluntary measures to allow over 4 million refugees to have affordable access to connectivity as they sought shelter in the EU. This agreement, which has been extended until now, allowed for roaming without surcharges and affordable international calls for EU and Ukrainian citizens abroad. 

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Press release