Brussels opens talks to bring the region into “Roam Like at Home”
BRUSSELS, June 5 (BV)– The Council of the European Union has authorised the European Commission to open negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia on extending the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” scheme to the Western Balkans.
The move could allow citizens and businesses from the region to use mobile calls, text messages and data while travelling in the EU without paying extra roaming charges, under the same conditions as at home.
The EU said the decision was intended to make the benefits of European integration more visible in everyday life and to strengthen connectivity between the bloc and the Western Balkans.
“Greater connectivity means greater opportunities for citizens, businesses and economic cooperation,” said Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs.
The EU’s Roam Like at Home area currently covers EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Moldova and Ukraine.
Following the Council’s decision, the European Commission will negotiate separate sectoral agreements with each Western Balkan partner. These agreements will be linked to the existing Stabilisation and Association Agreements, which form the legal basis for the region’s gradual integration with the EU.
Before joining the scheme, each Western Balkan country will need to fully align its legislation with the EU roaming rules and implement them in practice. The Commission will then assess whether the conditions have been met.
If the assessment is positive, the EU and each partner country will be able to open their roaming markets on a reciprocal basis, allowing users to benefit from roaming without additional charges.