The European Commission has announced a proposal to begin negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to include them in the EU’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ system. This initiative would allow travelers between the EU and these Western Balkan countries to make calls, send text messages, and use mobile data without additional roaming charges.
According to the Commission, once agreements are finalized and each partner country fully aligns with EU roaming rules, both citizens and businesses from the Western Balkans visiting the EU—and EU travelers in the Western Balkans—will benefit from domestic rates for mobile services. The goal is to facilitate easier and more affordable communication for people traveling for study, work, or holidays.
The next step involves seeking authorization from the Council to open negotiations with each of the Western Balkan partners. After Council approval, bilateral agreements will be negotiated. If these talks succeed, it will enable the Western Balkans to join the ‘EU’s Roam Like at Home’ area.
The current proposal builds on existing voluntary commitments by some mobile operators that already offer reduced roaming charges between parts of the EU and the Western Balkans. Additionally, there is a regional agreement among Western Balkan countries that reduces tariffs for travel within their region.
This move is part of a broader strategy outlined in the 2023 Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The plan aims to gradually integrate these countries into aspects of the EU Single Market before full membership is achieved. According to this approach, benefits such as lower roaming costs can be delivered even before formal accession.
“The proposal is a concrete example of the EU’s approach to gradual integration ahead of EU accession,” states an official release from the Commission. “This phased approach delivers tangible benefits for citizens and businesses already before full membership, while remaining firmly anchored in the enlargement process.”
For further details about this initiative or related policies such as the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans or information on roaming regulations within Europe, individuals may contact Thomas Regnier or Patricia Poropat at their provided email addresses or phone numbers.