Following Ukraine, Moldova will join the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” zone starting 1 January 2026. This decision will allow citizens of both countries to use mobile phones across the EU without incurring additional roaming charges.
Moldovans and Ukrainians travelling within the EU will be able to make calls, send texts, and use mobile data at the same cost and quality as they do at home. Similarly, EU citizens visiting Moldova and Ukraine will benefit from domestic mobile rates and service quality. Emergency calls will also be free of charge, the European Council announced.
Benefits and convenience
Moldova’s inclusion builds on a 2024 agreement that already reduced roaming fees, while Ukraine has been benefiting since 2022 from a voluntary deal between the EU and Ukrainian telecom operators. This voluntary agreement will remain in place until the end of 2025, when full integration into the “Roam Like at Home” framework takes effect.
The easing of communication for travellers from Ukraine and Moldova marks a significant step towards bringing both closer to the EU’s digital single market. The extension of EU roaming benefits to both countries reflects their broader ambitions for closer ties with the European Union.
A nationwide survey in Ukraine, conducted between 29 November and 14 December 2024 by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and Razumkov Centre, found that 69% of Ukrainians see joining the EU as the best integration path for their country. This is reportedly the highest level of support since 2013. Public backing for EU integration remains more divided in Moldova, as shown by last year’s constitutional referendum where the pro-integration vote won by a razor-thin majority.
