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Moldova and Ukraine Join EU “Roam Like at Home” Area Starting 2026
Mobile roaming is now free Moldova and Ukraine for EU residents, and vice versa. Learn what this means for non-EU residents.
The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have officially joined the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” area, extending the EU’s roaming regime to both countries as of 1 January 2026.
Under the new arrangement, citizens of Moldova and Ukraine traveling within the European Union, as well as EU citizens visiting Moldova or Ukraine, can make phone calls, send text messages, and use mobile data without additional roaming charges. These services are available within the limits of users’ domestic mobile plans, ensuring the same pricing conditions as at home.
The inclusion of Moldova and Ukraine follows the adoption of EU Council decisions approving their integration into the “Roam Like at Home” framework. Ukraine’s accession was approved on 15 July 2025, followed by Moldova’s on 25 July 2025.
The “Roam Like at Home” regime has been in force within the European Union since 2017, allowing EU citizens to use mobile services across Member States at domestic rates while maintaining the same level of service quality. The expansion to Moldova and Ukraine represents a further step in strengthening digital connectivity and cooperation between the EU and its neighbouring partners.
How does Roam Like at Home work?
The “Roam Like at Home” principle ensures that when you travel within participating countries, you can use your mobile phone just as you would in your home country. This means that calls, text messages (SMS), and data usage are deducted from your domestic allowance at no extra charge.
If you have a monthly plan with 20GB of data, you can use that data while traveling without fear of “bill shock.” It is important to note, however, that operators may apply a “Fair Use Policy” for data. This usually means that while calls and texts remain unlimited (if they are at home), there might be a specific cap on the amount of data you can use abroad for free, which is calculated based on the price of your domestic plan.
👉 To avoid the data caps and ‘Fair Use’ restrictions common with domestic plans, you can opt for an eSIM for Ukraine or an eSIM for Moldova for truly unlimited high-speed data during your trip.
Countries within the Roam Like at Home Area
As of January 2026, the RLAH zone encompasses 32 countries, ensuring seamless connectivity across the majority of the European continent. This includes all 27 EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The area also extends to the EEA EFTA members—Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—as well as the two newest members, Ukraine and Moldova. Notably, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Turkey remain outside this mandatory framework, meaning roaming charges may still apply there depending on your specific provider.
What does this mean for non-EU travelers?
The EU’s free roaming initiative only extends to travelers from member states. If you’re visiting Ukraine or Moldova from a non-EU destination like the United States or Australia, you’ll still face roaming charges decided by your home carrier.
UK tourists face a unique situation. Some carriers, like O2, still support the “Roam Like at Home” initiative, meaning free roaming in both Ukraine and Moldova from 1 January 2026. Many other carriers no longer offer any free EU roaming. You will need to check with your mobile internet provider to see what you are eligible for.
For all non-EU travelers, Ukraine and Moldova’s addition to the “Roam Like at Home” area could result in a change to roaming costs for these destinations, as carriers adjust which global roaming zones the two countries belong to. Again, it is best to consult your mobile plan and roaming extras before travel.
Why Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM is still your best travel companion
While the expansion of “Roam Like at Home” is a major victory for travelers, it is mainly targeted at EU residents.
Visiting Ukraine and Moldova from a non-member country? You’ll still have to pay for an international roaming pass or pay-as-you-go rates with your mobile carrier.
This is where Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM comes to the rescue. With a travel eSIM for Ukraine or Moldova, you can get unlimited data at up to 5G speeds for a fraction of the cost of pay-per-use rates. It’s the perfect solution for those who want to stream, work, or navigate without constantly checking their data balance.
Plus, for travelers heading to nearby non-EU destinations like Switzerland or Turkey, Holafly provides a single, predictable solution that avoids the “border trap” of unexpected roaming fees.
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Born and raised in the UK, I discovered content creation as a journalist while studying at the University of Manchester. I've since covered a range of roles, both editorial and SEO, across the travel, hospitality, and professional services industries. I spend my weeks ensuring Holafly's content is relevant, insightful, and helpful, and my weekends exploring new destinations to satisfy my ever-growing travel bug.
