Negotiations to begin on abolishing roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans

The ambassadors of the EU member states have approved the launch of negotiations on eliminating roaming charges between the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans.

The ambassadors gave the green light to open negotiations on sectoral agreements between the EU and Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia concerning roaming in public mobile communications networks.

The decision must still be formally adopted by the Council as an item without discussion, which is expected to take place tomorrow.

Before roaming charges can be abolished, the Western Balkan countries will need to align their telecommunications regulations with EU rules, as well as reach agreements with telecommunications operators and relevant EU institutions.

The Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union stated that the decision demonstrates the EU's commitment to the Western Balkans.

- The Cypriot Presidency strony supports the European path of the Western Balkans. Extending the „Roam Like at Home“ area is a clear sign of our commitment to the region. We look forward to the formal adoption of the decision authorizing the opening of negotiations on these agreements - representatives of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU said.

At this stage, it is not possible to specify an exact date for the abolition of roaming charges, as this will depend on the progress of negotiations and the speed with which the Western Balkan countries adopt EU regulations in this field.

Within the European Union, roaming charges were abolished in 2017. Since 2021, the countries of the Western Balkans have operated under a regional „Roam Like at Home“ regime, allowing users to use mobile services across the region without additional roaming charges.

Ukraine and Moldova became part of the European roaming zone at the beginning of 2026.