The European Commission has taken a key step toward the complete abolition of roaming charges between the European Union and six Western Balkan countries.

With an official recommendation to the Council of the European Union, submitted at the end of February 2026, it proposed opening negotiations on individual agreements with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

The goal of this initiative is the full inclusion of these countries in the European system in which mobile services are charged at domestic rates, regardless of where the user is located within that expanded area.

This move represents a continuation of the successful digital integration policy that has already included the countries of the European Economic Area, and since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine and Moldova as well.

For Croatian citizens, as well as entrepreneurs who frequently travel to neighboring countries, this could in the near future mean the end of high bills and the fear of turning on mobile internet after crossing the border.

What does the 'Roam Like at Home' system mean in practice?

For the average user, the entry of the countries of the region into this system brings the simplicity that we have already enjoyed for years while traveling within the borders of the European Union. This means that travelers from Croatia will be able to make calls, send messages, and use the internet in Sarajevo, Belgrade, or Tirana under the same conditions and at the same prices they have in their domestic package. The same rule will also apply to visitors from those countries when they stay in Croatia.

Currently, roaming prices with those countries are lower thanks to voluntary agreements between telecom operators that have been in force since October 2023, but the Commission's new plan aims to turn those benefits into a permanent and legally binding right. It will no longer depend on the goodwill of companies, but on firm international agreements.

Strict conditions and alignment with European rules

Although the political will is clear, the path to free roaming is not automatic. Each of the six countries must go through a process of fully adapting its laws to what we call the European roaming acquis.

This includes strict rules on consumer protection, fair use of services, and technical network standards.The Commission will carry out a detailed review in each country individually. Only when it is confirmed that a country has fully adopted and begun applying European rules will a decision be made to open the market. In addition, those countries undertake the obligation to continue aligning their laws with all future changes that the European Union adopts in this sector.

The Court of Justice as the supreme authority

One of the most important elements of the future agreements is legal certainty. To ensure that the rules are interpreted in the same way in Zagreb, Brussels, or Podgorica, the supreme authority for all legal matters will be the Court of Justice of the European Union.

If disagreements arise in the interpretation of the agreement or if a country fails to respect the obligations undertaken, the European Commission will have the authority to initiate procedures similar to those conducted against member states. Ultimately, if a serious breach of the rules is established, the European Union reserves the right to suspend that country's free roaming benefits until the irregularities are remedied.

Accelerating the path toward membership through concrete benefits

This initiative is part of the broader Growth Plan for the Western Balkans that the European Commission presented back at the end of 2023. The idea is for citizens and companies in the region to feel the concrete advantages of European integration even before those countries officially become members of the union.

Given the current geopolitical situation and the need to strengthen stability in Europe, accelerating the process of digital integration is considered a priority. Free roaming is not just a matter of cheaper calls; it is a symbolic and practical tool for deeper connection between economies and people.

A step closer to a Europe without borders

The European Commission's proposal sends a strong message that the future of the Western Balkans is inseparably tied to the single European market. For Croatia, which shares intensive economic and family ties with these regions, the successful conclusion of these negotiations will bring enormous savings and make everyday life easier for thousands of people. Although governments in the region still have much work to do in aligning regulations, the political direction is clearly set: mobile borders in our neighborhood are slowly becoming history.