The European Commission has officially proposed launching negotiations with the six Western Balkan countries to include them in the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” regime — a move that could eliminate roaming charges for millions of Albanians across Albania, Kosovo, and the wider region.
For Albanians who travel, work, or study in the European Union, this proposal marks a potentially transformative step in daily life, economic integration, and digital connectivity. If successfully negotiated and implemented, citizens from the Western Balkans would be able to use their mobile phones across EU countries without paying extra roaming fees — just as EU citizens already do.
What Is “Roam Like at Home”?
The EU’s “Roam Like at Home” policy was introduced in June 2017 by the European Union. The regulation allows mobile phone users within EU member states to make calls, send SMS messages, and use mobile data in any other EU country at domestic prices, without additional roaming charges.
This groundbreaking digital policy eliminated one of the most frustrating barriers for travelers: unexpected phone bills after crossing borders.
Earlier this year, the EU extended the regime to Ukraine and Moldova, further expanding its digital single market principles beyond traditional EU member states.
Now, the focus turns to the Western Balkans.
Why Roaming Fees Matter for Albanians
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, emphasized that roaming costs remain a serious issue throughout the Western Balkans.
“Roaming charges are a problem across the Western Balkans. For workers employed abroad and families calling their loved ones. Unexpected travel bills are something we no longer accept in the EU,” she stated.
For Albanians, this issue is particularly significant:
- Hundreds of thousands of Albanians live and work in EU countries.
- Families are frequently split between Albania, Kosovo, and EU member states.
- Business owners and freelancers rely on uninterrupted digital connectivity.
- Students studying abroad need affordable communication options.
If included in the EU roaming regime, Albanian citizens traveling between Tirana, Pristina, Rome, Berlin, or Athens could use their phones just as they do at home — without fearing extra costs.
Which Countries Are Included?
The proposal covers all six Western Balkan states:
- Kosovo
- Albania
- Serbia
- Montenegro
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- North Macedonia
All six aim for eventual EU membership. However, their integration paths differ. Kosovo remains the only one without official EU candidate status, having applied for membership in late 2022.
Inclusion in “Roam Like at Home” would not mean EU membership — but it would represent a powerful step toward digital and economic integration with the bloc.
How Will the Process Work?
The proposal by the European Commission is only the first step.
Before negotiations begin, the Council of the European Union must approve the request to open talks with Western Balkan partners.
Once approved:
- The Commission will negotiate bilateral agreements with each country.
- Each Western Balkan state must fully align its legislation with EU roaming rules.
- Technical, regulatory, and market conditions must be harmonized.
- Agreements must be finalized and implemented domestically.
According to Commission spokesperson Ricardo Cardoso, the timeline depends entirely on how quickly each partner country completes legal harmonization and negotiations.
In short: this is a complex, technical, and politically sensitive process.
What Would Change for Albanian Citizens?
If successfully implemented, the changes would be substantial:
📱 No Extra Charges Across Borders
Albanians traveling to EU countries would make calls, send texts, and use mobile internet without additional roaming fees.
💼 Boost for Businesses
Entrepreneurs operating between Albania and EU markets would enjoy seamless connectivity.
👨👩👧 Support for Diaspora Families
Families separated by migration would no longer worry about high communication costs.
📊 Digital Market Integration
The Western Balkans would move closer to becoming part of the EU’s Digital Single Market.
This reform could also enhance tourism flows between Albania and EU states by reducing hidden travel costs.
A Strategic Step Toward EU Integration
Beyond convenience, the roaming proposal carries strong political symbolism.
It demonstrates that the EU is willing to integrate Western Balkan countries sector by sector — even before full membership.
For Albania and Kosovo in particular, this aligns with broader EU accession goals. Both governments have repeatedly emphasized digital transformation and EU alignment as national priorities.
Reducing roaming costs would send a clear signal that integration is not just about long-term political promises — but also about tangible, everyday benefits for citizens.
When Could It Happen?
At this stage, there is no confirmed implementation date.
Everything depends on:
- Approval from the Council of the EU
- The speed of negotiations
- Full legal alignment with EU telecom rules
- Market readiness of telecom operators in each country
Officials from the European Commission have described the process as complex, indicating that negotiations could take considerable time.
However, the fact that Ukraine and Moldova were recently integrated into the roaming regime suggests that political will can accelerate progress.
What This Means for Kosovo’s EU Path
For Kosovo, participation would carry additional importance.
As the only Western Balkan country without official candidate status, Kosovo’s inclusion in the EU roaming framework would represent a practical form of integration — even ahead of formal accession steps.
Such measures could strengthen public trust in the European integration process, particularly among young people who rely heavily on digital connectivity.
The Bigger Picture: Digital Europe Without Borders
The EU’s “Roam Like at Home” policy has become one of the most visible successes of European integration. It directly impacts citizens’ daily lives and reinforces the concept of a borderless Europe.
Extending it to the Western Balkans would:
- Reduce economic barriers
- Strengthen regional stability
- Increase digital competitiveness
- Improve quality of life
For Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, and across the diaspora, this proposal represents more than telecom reform — it signals deeper inclusion in the European family.
As negotiations unfold, the region will watch closely. If successful, the end of roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans could become one of the most practical and popular integration milestones yet.