EU opens talks to extend ‘Roam Like at Home’ to Western Balkans six

The Council of the European Union approved the opening of negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia (the 'WB6') with a view to extending the EU's Roam Like at Home (RLAH) area to these partners.

"This decision to open negotiations on extending the 'Roam Like at Home' area to the Western Balkans sends a clear signal of the EU’s commitment to the region. Greater connectivity means greater opportunities for citizens, businesses and economic cooperation. By working towards an expanded common roaming area, we are making the benefits of European integration tangible in people’s daily lives. This is more than a technical step – it is a concrete demonstration of our shared future, strengthening ties across the region and reaffirming the Western Balkans European path," said Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.

The RLAH-area allows consumers to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data while travelling abroad without paying additional roaming charges, under the same conditions as at home. It currently covers the EU, the European Economic Area countries - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway - as well as Moldova and Ukraine, CE Report informs via the Council of the European Union's official website.

Following the decision, the European Commission will begin negotiations on sectoral agreements with each of the WB6 partners. These agreements will be anchored to the existing Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs), which support the region's stability, economic integration and rapprochement with the EU.

The sectoral agreements will establish the institutional framework necessary for their implementation and governance.

Before joining the RLAH area, each WB6 partner will need to fully align with and implement the EU roaming acquis. The Commission will assess compliance and, where the outcome is positive, confirm that the necessary conditions have been met.

Following a positive assessment, the joint body established under each of the relevant agreements will be able to decide on the reciprocal opening of the EU and WB partners’ roaming markets, enabling citizens and businesses to benefit from roaming services without additional charges.

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