Brussels to extend roaming to Ukraine from 2026

Brussels – Soon, the more than four million Ukrainian refugees in member countries will be able to make calls, send texts, and use their mobile data from national phone numbers at no extra cost across the EU. The European Commission has proposed today (June 17) to integrate Ukraine into the Union’s roaming area as of January 2026. “We want Ukrainian citizens to be able to stay in touch with their loved ones throughout the EU, as well as in their home country,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In practice, this means that Ukrainian citizens in the EU, and vice versa, will incur no additional roaming charges. The use of all mobile services, including calls, SMS and data, will be charged at domestic rates. The agreement also guarantees consumers the right to the same mobile network quality and speed as they have at home, as well as free access to emergency services. The ‘Roam like at Home’ scheme is valid in all EU member states, plus the three in the European Economic Area, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

“We propose that Ukraine becomes part of our roaming family. We reiterate once again our continued commitment to Ukraine and its citizens,” von der Leyen insisted. In view of the progressive integration of Ukraine as an EU candidate country, roaming is the first area in which Brussels will extend its internal market treatment to Ukraine.

The current agreement between the EU and Ukrainian telecom operators will be extended until 31 December 2025. This will ensure that European and Ukrainian citizens can continue to enjoy the benefits of the common roaming area until Ukraine actually joins the EU roaming area. The proposal is now in the hands of the EU Council for approval.