Ukraine's Integration into the 'Roam Like at Home' Zone Starting 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, Ukraine will officially join the 'Roam Like at Home' roaming zone, which includes the 27 EU member states along with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This means Ukrainian SIM cards will operate on domestic rates within these countries, and EU SIM cards used in Ukraine won’t incur additional roaming charges either. Experts predict that this will allow Ukrainian travelers to explore Europe without worrying about extra mobile communication fees.
Countries Outside the Roaming Agreement and Their Mobile Costs
It’s important to note that several popular tourist destinations fall outside this roaming agreement. Countries like Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates are excluded, and using mobile services there can result in significant charges. For instance, ferries and cruise ships often rely on satellite networks, where mobile internet can cost multiple euros per megabyte. Travelers should also be cautious near the Turkish border, as phones may inadvertently connect to Turkish networks, leading to unexpected roaming fees.
The cost of mobile internet in these non-roaming countries can be quite steep. For example, Kyivstar offers a 200 MB daily internet package in first-zone countries such as Turkey and Egypt for 75 UAH per day. A week of active internet use in these destinations can exceed 1500 UAH. Other Ukrainian operators provide their own options:
- Vodafone Ukraine’s "Travel the World" package costs 259 UAH per day and includes 75 MB of data plus 25 minutes of calls.
- lifecell’s "World Without Borders Planet" plan is priced at 239 UAH per day, offering 100 MB and 30 minutes, with a special 150 MB package for Egypt at 75 UAH daily.
Typically, daily allowances of 75-200 MB are sufficient only for messaging apps and navigation.
To reduce roaming expenses abroad, Ukrainian users can take advantage of tourist eSIMs—embedded SIM cards programmable via QR codes or apps. These eSIMs grant access to local mobile networks for a set period and data volume. For example, travelers can purchase 5 GB of internet valid for 30 days in Turkey while keeping their main SIM card active for calls and texts. Experts advise having 3-5 GB for a week-long trip if the internet is mainly used for maps, ride-hailing, and messaging, or 10 GB or unlimited plans for heavier use like sharing stories and streaming videos.
Ukraine’s entry into the 'Roam Like at Home' zone marks a major improvement for mobile connectivity during European travels, eliminating costly roaming fees. Still, travelers should remain aware of countries excluded from this agreement and carefully assess potential mobile charges when visiting them. Understanding available tariffs and using tools like tourist eSIMs can help Ukrainians better manage their travel budgets and avoid unexpected communication costs abroad.