Ukraine Officially Joins the EU’s Single Roaming Area

Ukraine Officially Joins the EU's Single Roaming Area

On January 12, 2026, in Kyiv, the accession of Ukraine to the European Union's Single Roaming Area "Roam Like at Home" (RLAH) was marked. The event signaled the official launch of the RLAH regime for Ukraine on the same terms as for EU Member States. The same rules also apply to subscribers from EU countries traveling to Ukraine.

The event was held as part of the information campaign "Say YES to Connectivity with the EU," organised by the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCEC) with the support of the EU-funded project "Digital Regulation Support to Ukraine." The campaign aims to promote greater understanding of the advantages and opportunities of Ukraine's integration into the EU's RLAH zone for Ukrainian citizens.

The central visual element of the event was an art installation in the form of an interactive smartphone with a large screen, placed in the hall of Kyiv Central Railway Station. During the event, it made a symbolic call to Brussels and received greetings from representatives of the European Commission.

"On January 1, we joined the Roam Like at Home policy - an important step toward the European Union's Digital Single Market. Today, Ukrainians traveling to the EU Member States, as well as temporarily displaced citizens, can already experience the tangible benefits of European integration - affordable and convenient mobile communication without overpayments, just like at home", - emphasised Taras KACHKA, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

"Ukraine's accession to the single roaming area with the EU is an important and practical step that brings our country closer to the EU's Digital Single Market. I am grateful to the roaming team and all colleagues in Ukraine, as well as to our colleagues and partners in the EU and the European Commission, for their support and cooperation. This joint achievement is in the interests of the citizens of Ukraine and the EU Member States. Stronger together!", - noted Liliia MALON, Chair of the NCEC.

"From 1 January 2026, Ukraine joined the EU roaming area. On equal terms, with the same rights and responsibilities as an EU Member State. Ukraine's entry in the EU roaming area is a major achievement, that all who contributed should be proud of - European and Ukrainian public administrations and telecom industries. This is also a clear, practical sign of bringing Ukrainian citizens closer to the EU family", - stressed Henna VIRKKUNEN, Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

"Roam Like at Home makes Europe tangible in your pocket. This is what EU integration looks like when it becomes a reality for citizens. Since 1 January 2026, the principle is simple: when travelling between Ukraine and the EU, your phone works "as at home". This strengthens mobility, reduces friction for citizens and businesses, and keeps people connected across borders", - stated Gediminas NAVICKAS, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine.

Background information:

The EU provides assistance through the "Digital Regulation Support to Ukraine" project by equipping the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications (NCEC) with relevant tools for advancing the country's integration into the EU Digital Single Market. Implemented by Detecon International GmbH, the project is set to run for three years with a total budget of €2.7 million.

For additional information, please contact Karen Madoian via [email protected] or at +380 50 215 05 03