Ukraine to join EU roaming area in 2026

From January 2026, Ukraine is set to make history as the first non-EU country to join the European Union’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ (RLAH) area, allowing Ukrainians to call, text, and browse the internet across the EU’s 27 countries at no extra cost.

This breakthrough agreement means Ukrainians travelling anywhere from Paris to Prague will pay the same rates they do at home—eliminating costly surprises on their phone bills.

The move promises a small but important help to millions of Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s invasion, many of whom have settled temporarily across Europe but struggled with expensive roaming charges when contacting friends and family back in Ukraine.

EU travellers visiting Ukraine will also see a major benefit: they’ll enjoy the same domestic rates on calls, texts, and mobile data while exploring destinations like Kyiv, Odesa, or the Carpathian Mountains, avoiding hefty fees.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the plan as a powerful symbol of solidarity, saying it would help Ukrainian citizens stay connected to their loved ones throughout Europe while reinforcing the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s future. ‘We want Ukrainian citizens to stay connected to their loved ones across the EU, as well as in their home country,’ von der Leyen stated, highlighting the plan’s humanitarian and strategic importance.

The RLAH scheme, first launched in 2017 for EU countries, revolutionised mobile use in Europe by scrapping roaming fees within the bloc. Once Ukraine’s integration is finalised on 1 January 2026—pending the expected green light from the EU Council—it will mark a major milestone in Ukraine’s journey towards deeper ties with Europe and could pave the way for further cooperation in telecommunications, trade, and digital infrastructure.

Could this be the EU dropping a big hint that Ukraine’s on the fast track to membership? Brilliant move or pushing things too far?

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