Consumer protection: call, text and surf
The EU has established rules to limit costs for consumers when calling and sending text messages to and from other EU countries, and when using data and accessing online content throughout the EU.
Roaming
When travelling outside their home country, EU rules on roaming enable Europeans to make calls, send text messages and surf the web without any surcharges.
Since 15 June 2017, consumers have been able to travel across the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and remain connected just as they do at home.
Moldova and Ukraine joined the 'Roam like at home' area on 1 January 2026. The EU has also opened negotiations in June 2026 to extend it to Western Balkans partners.
Fair use policy
There are no volume restrictions on voice calls and text messages when travelling abroad.
Mobile operators may, however, impose a limit on data used while roaming in the case of contracts with unlimited or very low-cost data services. In this case the operator is required to notify the limit in advance, and alert when 80% is reached.
This ‘fair use’ data policy has been put in place to enable operators to provide roaming services without having to increase domestic prices, and to prevent permanent roaming.
Roaming rules have been designed for occasional trips. If, over a period of four months, the consumption of roaming services in another EU country exceeds domestic usage, mobile operators may ask for clarification and apply capped surcharges.
The EU has approved the extension of the ‘roam like at home’ scheme until 2032.
Mobile phone users should also receive pricing information and roaming conditions, as well as information on emergency service numbers, when crossing a border to another EU or EEA country.
Calls or text messages received when abroad are also not subject to any extra costs.
Intra-EU communications
EU telecoms rules ensure that Europeans pay limited fees for intra-EU mobile and landline communications, calls and texts from home to another EU country.
The EU has set maximum charges for calls and text messages.
Before these caps were put in place in May 2019, the average standard price of a fixed or mobile intra-EU call was about three times the standard price of a domestic call.
The caps also apply to calls and SMSs to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Access to online content abroad
The growing use of portable devices such as tablets and smartphones makes it easier for consumers to access online content services regardless of their location.
EU rules on portability of content enable consumers to access their paid-for online content services across the EU when travelling or temporarily staying outside of their home country, at no extra cost.
This includes paid subscriptions to, for instance, online TV (films and series), e-books, games, music streaming and sport broadcasts.
Films
Music streaming
Series
Games
E-books
Sports broadcast
Providers are required to provide access to their content under the same conditions as in the home country – i.e. access to the same films, to the same features, on the same number of devices and for the same number of users.
To avoid any abuses, service providers are allowed to check the subscribers' member state of residence, in compliance with EU data protection rules.
Access to content acquired through free subscriptions is possible according to EU rules, but depends on the choice of the service provider. This includes, for instance, public broadcasters.
Last review: 9 June 2026