European Union citizens traveling to one of the six Western Balkan countries, and vice versa, now benefit from more affordable data roaming rates, following an agreement reached on October 1 between 38 telecommunications operators in December 2022, benefiting citizens and businesses in both regions.
Last year’s agreement in Albania’s capital Tirana won the support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the European Commission.
Starting next October, users can expect a reduction as the cost per gigabyte will be set at €18, and in 2026 the price is expected to drop further to €14 per gigabyte. By 2028, consumers can expect an even more affordable rate of just €9 per gigabyte, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Affected telecoms operators have decided to make data roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans closer to those people pay to use their phones in their own countries. As part of this commitment, they are currently working to reduce these fees to ensure affordability.
Many of these companies actively offer data roaming plans at prices significantly below agreed maximum limits, ensuring affordability for consumers.
Under the agreed plan, further price reductions are planned for 2026, with the aim of making data roaming costs almost the same as what people pay to use their phones at home by 2028.
Neighborhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhely expressed his approval of the agreement signed by 38 telecommunications operators.
According to him, the aim is to create an environment in which people from the Western Balkans and the European Union feel at home when they visit each other. He stressed that this feeling of belonging and comfort represents the true integration that citizens should aspire to between the Western Balkans and the EU.
The reduction in roaming prices between the EU and the Western Balkans from October 1 this year will benefit both citizens and businesses in the EU and the Western Balkans. We are determined to do everything possible to accelerate the true integration of the Western Balkans into our single market.
The latest changes result in reduced roaming charges for Western Balkan and EU citizens, while reducing business costs and encouraging cross-border activities.
Telecommunications operators based in both the European Union and the Western Balkans are invited to participate in this cost-cutting initiative.