The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to integrate them into the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” regime, allowing citizens and businesses to use mobile services across borders without roaming charges.
Under the proposal, once each partner country aligns fully with EU roaming rules and agreements are finalised, travellers between the EU and the Western Balkans would be able to make calls, send text messages, and use mobile data at domestic rates. The measure aims to make communication easier and more affordable for people and companies travelling for work, study, or leisure.
Following the adoption of negotiating mandates, the Commission will seek Council authorisation to begin talks with Western Balkan partners. Once approved, the Commission will negotiate bilateral agreements with each country individually. Successful agreements would allow the Western Balkans to join the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” zone.
The proposal builds on existing voluntary roaming commitments between some EU mobile operators and those in the Western Balkans, which already provide reduced charges for cross-border travel. Citizens of the Western Balkans also benefit from lower tariffs within the region under the existing regional roaming agreement.
The initiative reflects the EU’s approach to gradual integration ahead of full membership, as outlined in the 2023 Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which aims to progressively integrate partner countries into the EU Single Market. The phased approach delivers tangible benefits for citizens and businesses prior to accession while remaining aligned with the enlargement process.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “Today, we are taking a significant step for the Western Balkan partners’ journey towards joining the EU’s roaming family. It is good news for both citizens and businesses.”
Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, added: “Roaming charges are a problem for people across the Western Balkans. They affect workers crossing borders and families who want to stay in touch. Today we proposed to extend this to the Western Balkans, meaning easier calls and mobile data at home prices.”
The Commission said the proposal aims to make communication seamless and affordable, supporting deeper integration of the Western Balkans into the EU framework ahead of full membership.