Montenegro is on track to integrate into the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” mobile roaming regime, potentially by the end of this year or early next year. This transition hinges on the completion of necessary regulatory and technical adjustments required for alignment with the EU telecommunications framework, as stated by Milan Srzentić from Montenegro’s Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (EKIP).
Becoming part of the EU roaming market will enable Montenegrin citizens to utilize mobile services across EU member states under domestic tariff conditions, eliminating the high roaming charges typically associated with international travel. This change is expected to significantly benefit both individual users and businesses operating across borders.
The timeline for Montenegro’s accession largely depends on how swiftly the country can modify its telecommunications legislation and regulatory framework to comply with EU standards. The government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development and other relevant institutions, is actively working on updating existing laws and implementing new regulations necessary for the EU roaming framework. Officials anticipate that this legislative alignment will be finalized in the coming months.
Following the completion of the regulatory phase, Montenegro will enter a technical implementation stage involving both domestic and European mobile operators. Telecom companies will need to adjust their billing systems, network configurations, and roaming agreements to ensure that Montenegrin users can access services across the EU under conditions similar to those enjoyed by local subscribers. Previous experiences in countries like Ukraine and Moldova suggest that this implementation phase could take approximately five months after receiving regulatory approval.
The final timeline for integration will also depend on the European Commission’s formal evaluation of Montenegro’s readiness to join the system. A positive assessment from Brussels is required to confirm that Montenegro has met all necessary regulatory and market conditions before the new regime can be enacted. Montenegrin authorities are reportedly collaborating closely with European institutions to expedite this process.
Joining the EU roaming framework marks a significant milestone in Montenegro’s ongoing economic and regulatory alignment with the European Union. The country has already been part of a regional Western Balkans roaming agreement since July 2021, which eliminated roaming charges among six economies in the region.
Expanding this principle to include EU member states is expected to further decrease communication costs for travelers, workers, and businesses engaging between Montenegro and European markets. This policy aims to simplify cross-border communication by removing the common practice of disabling data services when crossing borders to avoid unexpected charges.
For Montenegro, participation in the EU roaming area aligns with its broader digital-market integration agenda linked to its accession process. By harmonizing telecom regulations with European standards, the government seeks to enhance the competitiveness of its telecommunications sector while improving connectivity for citizens and businesses operating within the European single market.
