Europe proposes to integrate Ukraine into the EU roaming area in 2026

The European Commission has suggested making Ukraine a part of Europe’s roaming area as of January 2026.

In 2017, the EU adopted the “Roam Like At Home” rules, which allow consumers from European Member States to call, text, and use their mobile data for the same cost as at home, and with the same quality and speed of their mobile network at home.

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested working with Ukraine for its integration into the EU roaming area as soon as possible.

In April 2022, European and Ukrainian operators agreed on voluntary measures to allow over 4 million refugees to have affordable access to connectivity as they sought shelter in the EU. This agreement, which has been extended until now, allowed for roaming without additional charges and affordable international calls for EU and Ukrainian citizens abroad.

Earlier this month, Ukraine reported that it had fully adopted the EU’s roaming legislation, which was one of the conditions to access the EU roaming area. After an assessment, the European Commission concluded that Ukraine does indeed meet all the necessary requirements. Therefore, the executive branch of the EU has adopted a proposal for a Council decision to include Ukraine in the EU roaming area.

“Today, we are taking a key step towards Ukraine joining the EU’s Roaming area. For Ukrainians across Europe, staying connected to their home, their friends and families can mean a brief moment of relief. We stand together with Ukraine every step of the way,” Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, responded to the matter in a statement.

The proposal has been sent to the Council for its approval. If adopted, Ukraine would join the EU ‘Roam like at Home’ area on January 1st, 2026. This will allow both the EU and Ukrainian operators to technically implement the ‘Roam like at Home' requirements in the meantime.

“We want Ukrainian citizens to stay connected to their loved ones across the EU, as well as in their home country. That’s why we propose that Ukraine join our roaming family. Once more, we reaffirm our continued commitment to stand by Ukraine and its citizens,” Von der Leyen commented.