From next year, Montenegrin travelers will finally enjoy what millions across the EU already take for granted—using their phones abroad without the dread of sky-high roaming charges. Roaming between Montenegro and the European Union will be abolished, meaning citizens will be able to make calls, send messages, and use mobile data in EU countries at the same prices they pay at home.

This move marks a major milestone not only for travelers but also for the country’s telecom sector. It effectively places Montenegro a step closer to European digital integration—a move that’s as symbolic as it is practical.

The Road to “Roam Like at Home”

Speaking on TV Vijesti, Vitomir Dragaš from the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (EKIP) explained that the Agency will lead the process of implementing these new rules. Montenegrin operators will need to overhaul their billing and legal systems, ensuring they align with the European Roaming Regulation of 2022, which remains valid until 2032.

That might sound bureaucratic, but it’s a crucial step. For “roam like at home” to work, operators have to synchronize their technical and pricing mechanisms with EU standards—no small task given the complexity of mobile interconnections, wholesale rates, and customer transparency requirements.

Dragaš was cautious about timelines, noting that implementation could realistically happen in the second half of next year (2025). “That would be a great success,” he said, highlighting that Ukraine needed three years, and Moldova over two, to harmonize their laws before finalizing similar agreements.

Montenegro, he added, has a head start thanks to its participation in the Western Balkans Regional Roaming Agreement, which has already reduced or eliminated roaming fees within the region since 2021.

What Happens to Operator Revenue?

The business implications are significant. Montenegrin telecoms generated around €14 million from roaming services last year, across both wholesale and retail segments. Eliminating that revenue stream raises a key question: Will operators attempt to offset their losses by increasing domestic prices?

Theoretically, yes—but in practice, history suggests otherwise. When the Western Balkans introduced “roam like at home” rules in 2021, domestic tariffs remained stable. The European Commission’s own studies also show that the introduction of free roaming within the EU didn’t lead to any significant rise in domestic prices.

Instead, the shift spurred greater data consumption and customer satisfaction, which helped operators maintain — and in some cases grow—their overall revenues through higher data usage and loyalty.

Why It Matters for Travelers

Today, Montenegrins traveling to the EU can pay anywhere from €2 to €2.50 per minute for calls made back home — an outdated, painful reality in a borderless digital era. Once the new regime is implemented, those same calls will cost exactly what they would within Montenegro.

For frequent travelers, digital nomads, and business professionals, the change is transformative. It eliminates the need for local SIMs or temporary eSIMs just to avoid bill shock, and aligns Montenegro with Europe’s broader vision of seamless digital mobility.

In short — your phone will finally work abroad as if you never left home.

A Broader Regional Trend

Montenegro’s upcoming integration isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader European digital cohesion trend. Countries like Ukraine and Moldova have already made similar moves, leveraging telecom harmonization as a stepping stone toward EU accession.

The Western Balkans, in particular, have become a testbed for this regional digital unity. The Regional Roaming Agreement, signed under the Berlin Process, was the first concrete success story—effectively removing roaming charges among Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

By extending that model to the EU, Montenegro strengthens both its digital and geopolitical ties to Europe — aligning not only its telecom regulations but also its consumer standards with EU benchmarks.

What to Watch Next

The transition won’t happen overnight. Operators will need to align billing, data-sharing, and transparency protocols, as required by the EU’s 2022 regulation. Consumers can expect better information about roaming usage, clearer cost breakdowns, and possibly new data packages that leverage this expanded connectivity.

From an industry perspective, Montenegrin telecoms will have to rethink their revenue models. The focus will likely shift from per-minute charges to data-driven bundles, 5G roaming optimization, and value-added services like eSIM integration—trends already visible in markets such as Croatia and Slovenia, where roaming reform prompted innovation rather than price hikes.

The Bigger Picture: Roaming’s Future Is Fading

Let’s be honest—roaming as we know it is disappearing. Between eSIM technology, digital-first operators like Airalo, and policy-driven reforms, the concept of “extra charges abroad” is becoming outdated.

Montenegro’s integration into the EU’s roaming framework is another clear sign of where the world is heading: toward global connectivity without borders.

For travelers, it’s a win. For operators, it’s a challenge—but also an opportunity to evolve, innovate, and focus on what really matters: keeping people connected, wherever they go.

Conclusion

Montenegro’s upcoming entry into the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” zone represents more than just cheaper calls—it’s a strategic leap into the European digital single market. Drawing parallels with Ukraine and the Western Balkans, the pattern is clear: eliminating roaming doesn’t cripple telecoms; it modernizes them.

As Europe moves closer to true digital unity, Montenegro’s alignment shows foresight—and signals a future where staying connected abroad won’t be a privilege, but a given.