No, roam like at home is not ending in 2026. The EU rules that let you call, text and use mobile data across Europe with your Belgian plan at no extra charge remain in force until 30 June 2032. What did change this year is where the rules apply and how much data you can use: Ukraine and Moldova joined on 1 January 2026, the EU opened talks to add six Western Balkans countries, and the price cap behind fair use limits fell again. Roaming in Europe still has clear borders, though, so Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Monaco and Turkey can still cost extra. This guide explains what changed, which countries are covered and how to avoid roaming costs where the rules do not apply.
Is roam like at home ending?
No. In 2022, the EU extended the roaming regulation for ten years, until 30 June 2032. In every covered country, your provider cannot charge you more than at home for calls, texts or mobile data, as long as you travel periodically and stay within fair use limits. The rules also require the same quality abroad as at home where the local network allows it, which means 4G or 5G instead of a slower connection.
In practice, no extra charge covers calls back to Belgium, calls to local numbers in the country you visit, texts and mobile data, while receiving a call abroad is free. Everything comes out of the same minutes and data you use at home.
What changed for roaming in Europe in 2026
Ukraine and Moldova joined on 1 January 2026
Since 1 January 2026, Ukraine and Moldova are part of the roam like at home area. You now use your Belgian plan there in the same way as in France or Spain, and travellers from both countries can do the same in Belgium.
The Western Balkans could be next
The European Commission proposed on 25 February 2026 to extend the scheme to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, and the Council of the EU authorised the negotiations on 4 June 2026. Nothing has changed yet for travellers, and there is no start date. Until an agreement is in force, roaming in Albania, Montenegro or Serbia works as roaming outside the EU, with prices set by your provider.
More data within fair use
If you have an unlimited or very cheap data plan, your provider may set a fair use limit abroad. That limit depends on a price cap that falls every year: €1.10 per GB in 2026 and €1 per GB in 2027. The minimum is your monthly price excluding VAT, divided by the cap, multiplied by two. A plan of €25 a month excluding VAT gives you at least 45 GB in 2026 and 50 GB in 2027. With a fixed data bundle, you simply use the same bundle abroad.
Roaming in Europe: which countries are covered?
Covered by roam like at home | Not covered: check your plan before you go |
|---|---|
All 27 EU countries, including the Canary Islands, Madeira and Réunion | Switzerland, United Kingdom |
Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | Monaco, Andorra |
Ukraine, Moldova | Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and the other Western Balkans countries, for now |
- | Turkey, Morocco and every country outside Europe |
Watch out for these exceptions
Switzerland and the United Kingdom: many Belgian plans include them, but the EU rules do not require it, so your provider can set other conditions or change them.
Monaco and Andorra: they feel like part of France or Spain, but they are outside the rules. Near Nice or Menton, your phone can connect to a network in Monaco without you noticing.
Ferries and planes: networks at sea and in the air often use satellite connections, which the rules do not cover. Your provider must stop your data automatically at €50 unless you choose otherwise.
Long stays: roam like at home is made for travel. If you spend more time abroad than in Belgium over four months, and use your plan more abroad than at home, your provider can warn you and then add a surcharge.
Roaming outside Europe: how to avoid high costs
This matters more than it seems, because many favourite Belgian holiday countries are outside the rules. Turkey was the second most popular summer destination from Brussels Airport in 2026, and Morocco was fifth. Outside the covered countries, every provider sets its own prices, and you may pay per megabyte, per day or through a separate travel bundle. A few habits keep the bill under control:
Check your rates before you leave, in your provider's app or on its website.
Switch off data roaming on your Belgian SIM if you do not need it, because apps can use data in the background as soon as you land.
Install a travel eSIM before you leave. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that gives you mobile data on a local network, while your Belgian number stays active.
Download maps and tickets on WiFi at home or in your hotel, so you need less data during the day.
Connectivity should not stop at a border
Roam like at home solved a big part of the problem, but only inside a line on the map. Cross it, into Switzerland, Albania or Turkey, and traditional telecom still treats every new border as a new reason to charge more. Firsty is built on a different idea: your phone should just work, wherever you are, without a zone chart to check or a surprise bill afterwards. Connectivity is a right, not a privilege, and every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs it, not as charity, but as how the business works. Things are moving, so keep an eye on what Firsty is building and discover more at Firsty.app.
FAQ
Is roam like at home ending in 2026?
No. The EU roam like at home rules remain in force until 30 June 2032. In 2026, the rules were extended to Ukraine and Moldova, and the EU started negotiations to add the six Western Balkans countries.
Which countries are covered by EU roaming in 2026?
EU roaming covers all 27 EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and since 1 January 2026 also Ukraine and Moldova. In these countries, you use your Belgian plan at no extra charge, within fair use limits.
What is roaming?
Roaming means using your mobile plan on a network in another country, because your own provider has no network there. Your phone connects to a local partner network automatically, so you can keep calling, texting and using mobile data abroad.
Is Switzerland covered by EU roaming?
No. Switzerland is not part of the EU roam like at home rules. Many Belgian plans include Switzerland anyway, but this depends on your provider, so check your conditions before you travel.
Is the United Kingdom covered by EU roaming?
No. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is outside the EU roaming rules. Some Belgian plans still include it, while others charge per day or per megabyte, so check your plan before you travel.
Is roaming free in Albania and Montenegro?
Not yet. The EU authorised talks in June 2026 to extend roam like at home to Albania, Montenegro and the other Western Balkans countries, but there is no start date. Until then, your provider sets its own roaming prices there.
Is Norway covered by EU roaming?
Yes. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are part of the European Economic Area, so the roam like at home rules apply there in the same way as in EU countries.
Does roaming cost extra in Monaco?
It can. Monaco is not covered by the EU roaming rules, so your provider can charge extra. Near the border in France, your phone may connect to a network in Monaco automatically, so check your plan or select a French network manually.
How much data can I use abroad with an unlimited plan?
Your provider can set a fair use limit within the EU. The minimum is your monthly price excluding VAT, divided by €1.10 per GB in 2026, multiplied by two. A €25 plan excluding VAT gives at least 45 GB in 2026, rising to 50 GB in 2027.
