We can now use our digital devices in Ukraine and Moldova under the same conditions as at home

Information on the "Roam like at home" regulation covering Moldova and Ukraine

Published: 4 December 2025

In July 2025, the Council of the European Union approved the European Commission's proposal, according to which Moldova and Ukraine are allowed to join the "roam like at home" (RLAH) system from January 1, 2026. As a result, EU citizens, including Hungarian consumers, will be able to use their digital devices in these countries under conditions identical to those applicable to roaming within the EU.

What does this mean in practice?

 From 2026, Moldovan and Ukrainian consumers will be able to use their digital devices within the European Union without additional costs, including calls, text messages, and mobile internet

  • EU consumers will also be able to use mobile networks in Moldova and Ukraine without additional charges, so if, for example, a Hungarian subscriber is in Ukraine or Moldova and calls home to Hungary or another EU country from there. However, there is no discount when calling Ukraine or Moldova from Hungary, as these calls are still considered international calls
  • Emergency numbers will continue to be free of charge

Since 2017, rules on domestic roaming have allowed EU consumers to make calls, send messages and use mobile data in other Member States at the same rates as in their own country when traveling (See also: Roaming charges will be abolished – what does that mean in practice?)

The previous regulation covered the following EU and EEA (European Economic Area) member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. This list will be expanded to include Moldova and Ukraine from January 1.

However, it is important to note that the regulation only applies to relations between Ukraine and the EU, and between Moldova and the EU, and does not apply to EEA countries or between Ukraine and Moldova. This means that if you are a Ukrainian or Moldovan user and you travel to non-EU EEA countries (i.e., Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) or to Ukraine or Moldova, you will still have to pay the rates set by the service providers of the two countries.

Why is this integration taking place?

The decision is closely linked to Moldova and Ukraine's EU candidate status and to the Association Agreements, which allow for the early integration of certain sectors – such as telecommunications – to blend early into the EU internal market. To facilitate this, Moldovan and Ukrainian service providers have begun to consider certain EU legislation relating to the telecommunications market, such as the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/654 to be binding on themselves. See also our article related to the topic (https://nmhh.hu/cikk/255639/Tajekoztatas_a_2026_januar_1tol_alkalmazando_hivasvegzodtetesi_dijakrol, article is available in Hungarian)