Roaming in Montenegro and Albania: These Two Countries Go First
5 min read
Fly to Budva or Tirana in 2026 and your mobile data still costs extra. Roaming in Montenegro and Albania sits outside "Roam like at Home", the EU roaming rule that lets your home plan work in Croatia or Greece at no extra charge. That's the bit that might change first.
What's changed since June
We covered the 4 June Council decision here on the blog already, and we were deliberately sceptical about it: six countries as one block, no date, nothing signed. Legally, nothing has moved since. The Council of the European Union authorised talks with all six partners, following a proposal from the European Commission on 25 February 2026.
The new part is the sequencing.
According to von der Leyen, Montenegro and Albania could be the first two to benefit, possibly still this year. That's not a new legal basis, it's a political statement from the Commission's own president. Still the most concrete thing anyone has said since February.
Why these two, specifically
Brussels hasn't published a reason. Both countries are generally seen as furthest along in the accession process, which is the obvious explanation. I wouldn't sell it as a confirmed one.
What does stand out is that Podgorica tells the same story. Montenegro's government expects a start in the second half of 2026, according to German telecom outlet handyhase.de. Two sides, one window.
How fast can this realistically move?
There's a comparison case. The Council decided to bring Ukraine and Moldova in during July 2025, and "Roam like at Home" has applied there since 1 January 2026. Call it five to six months between the decision and travellers actually feeling it.
One catch. Western Balkans partners have to implement the EU roaming rules nationally first, and as far as I can tell nobody has publicly said how far Montenegro and Albania have got with that.
What you pay until then
Until something is signed, the expensive status quo holds. Deutsche Telekom charges 14.95 euros for its Travel & Surf pack, 5 GB plus 200 minutes (as of 2026, per handyhase.de). Without a pack you fall back on the regulated rate, roughly 18 euros per GB dropping to 14 euros per GB, per that same source. If you want to know how Telekom actually bills data roaming, we cover that separately.
Local SIMs and eSIMs are cheaper. Montenegrin operators such as m:tel sell tourist packs with 500 GB for 15 days from 15 euros (as of 2026). Want the number in context? Our eSIM vs. roaming cost comparison works the same math for a two-week USA trip.
And the other four?
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia are in the same Council decision, just without a date attached. The stated long-term goal for all six is 2028. Travelling to Sarajevo or Belgrade this year? Plan around how eSIM works abroad or a local SIM.
One correction, because the wrong version is circulating: no, roaming in Montenegro was not "abolished in June 2026". Talks were authorised on 4 June, that's all. Budget an October trip at the prices above, and treat anything better as a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is roaming in Montenegro free yet?
No. As of September 2026 Montenegro sits outside the EU roaming zone. Your home plan doesn't apply the way it does inside the EU, so you either pay a surcharge or buy a travel pack. The 4 June 2026 Council decision only authorised negotiations about extending the scheme.
When will roaming charges in Montenegro and Albania be scrapped?
No binding date exists. Von der Leyen said both countries could possibly follow by the end of 2026. That's a political target, not an adopted deadline, and both still have to implement the EU roaming rules nationally before anything applies.
Are Montenegro and Albania in the EU?
No, both are accession candidates. That's exactly why "Roam like at Home" doesn't cover them yet. The planned extension runs through separate agreements with the EU, much like the earlier ones with Ukraine and Moldova.
Which Western Balkans country is next in line?
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia fall under the same Council decision, but with no stated order and no deadline. The declared goal for all six is full removal of extra roaming fees by 2028.
What does roaming in Montenegro cost right now?
Deutsche Telekom charges 14.95 euros for Travel & Surf, covering 5 GB and 200 minutes (as of 2026). Without a pack, the regulated fallback rate sits around 18 euros per GB. Local tourist packs start at roughly 15 euros for 15 days.
