Roaming charges will no longer burden Moldovans: A project to liberalize tariffs within the EU is being prepared

The authorities in Chisinau are preparing a draft law to liberalize roaming charges for Moldovans traveling within the European Union. According to the document’s explanatory note, the aim is to establish “home-like” rates for calls made from EU member states using Moldovan numbers.
Officials highlight that following the 10th Annual Meeting of the EU–Moldova Association Committee, European Commission members recommended the elimination of roaming charges. They emphasized that this decision would positively impact the digital economy, boost mobility, promote social inclusion and regional economic integration, support the competitiveness of the electronic communications market, and provide significant to consumers benefits.

“The declaration seeks to implement measures enabling Moldovan citizens to benefit from roaming services without additional costs when traveling within the EU, similar to the ‘Roam Like at Home’ (RLAH) principle applied in EU member states.

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The primary objective is to significantly reduce costs for mobile phone and data service users traveling to EU countries, aligning these rates with those already in place among EU member states. This measure will eliminate financial barriers for Moldovan citizens and facilitate broader access to essential electronic communication services such as phone calls, SMS, and mobile internet,” the draft states.

Discussions about roaming liberalization for Moldovans in the EU began in 2022 when Moldova submitted its EU membership application. In 2023, several telecommunications operators from the EU and Moldova voluntarily agreed to reduce roaming charges starting January 1, 2024, with the decision facilitated by the European Commission.

Subsequently, the EU–Moldova Priority Action Plan was approved, with the inclusion of Moldova in the “Roam Like at Home” framework being a key action. Additionally, roaming liberalization became part of the updated EU–Moldova Association Agreement.

In December 2023, the Minister of Economy, Dumitru Alaiba, announced the reduction of roaming charges for Moldovans traveling within the EU, effective January 1, 2024.