The European Commission has released its latest evaluation of the EU’s roaming regulations, confirming that the “Roam Like at Home” (RLAH) policy remains a success for consumers and telecom markets alike. EU roaming regulation

Since its introduction in 2017, RLAH has allowed Europeans to travel across the EU and EEA without paying extra for mobile calls, texts, or data. The 2025 update reveals the regulation continues to function as intended, benefiting both users and operators.

A Consumer-Centric Policy That Works

The core objective of RLAH was simple: to eliminate “bill shock” for consumers traveling within Europe. Before 2017, many travelers returned home to unexpectedly high mobile phone bills, simply for checking emails or using GPS abroad. Today, that’s largely a thing of the past.

According to the European Commission’s findings, consumers continue to enjoy their mobile plans while roaming at domestic prices. Even more importantly, the quality of service while roaming is now closer than ever to what users experience at home—thanks to clearer obligations on mobile providers and improved transparency.

Strengthened Consumer Protections

The latest update to the regulation in 2022 introduced additional safeguards. For example, operators are now required to inform users about how to contact emergency services in the country they are visiting. This change ensures travelers aren’t left guessing during critical situations.

Additionally, billing protections have been enhanced—particularly for accidental use of expensive non-terrestrial networks such as in-flight or maritime services. Users now receive alerts and are automatically protected by spending caps unless they opt out.

A Healthy Wholesale Market

One of the Commission’s key concerns was ensuring that telecom operators could sustain the RLAH model without financial strain. The report finds that wholesale roaming rates—the charges operators pay each other when their users roam on foreign networks—remain competitive and often fall below the regulatory caps. This indicates that the internal market is functioning well and encourages innovation and cost-efficiency.

What This Means for Operators and Policy

Philippe Gröschel, Director of Government Relations at Telefónica Germany, emphasized that while the retail aspect of roaming is now a success story, future EU regulation should focus on enabling investment in networks and services.

“As the EU moves forward with its broader Digital Networks Act, regulation mustn’t overburden operators with overly prescriptive pricing rules,” he said.

“Instead, the focus should be on empowering infrastructure development, competition, and innovation.”

The Future of EU Roaming Policy

Looking ahead, the European Commission’s findings could influence a more investment-friendly approach to telecom regulation. While maintaining essential consumer protections, future policies may prioritize:

• Encouraging 5G rollout and next-generation connectivity
• Promoting cross-border competition and infrastructure sharing
• Allowing more market-based flexibility in pricing, particularly in wholesale agreements

The continuation of “Roam Like at Home” through 2032 ensures stability for European mobile users. However, regulators will likely revisit key aspects of the framework as the digital landscape evolves.

Bottom Line

The EU’s Roaming Regulation is doing what it set out to do: make mobile use across Europe seamless and fair for consumers, without crippling operators. With ongoing improvements and clear consumer protections, the RLAH policy stands as a rare example of regulation that balances market health and public benefit.

For travelers, the message is clear: keep using your phone while abroad—your plan likely covers you. For operators and policymakers, the challenge now lies in evolving regulation to support long-term digital growth.