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A phone call from the beach will cost as much in the EU this summer as one from the local quarry pond
Photo: Friso Gentsch/ dpa
The EU member states have agreed to extend the current roaming regulation beyond this summer.
This allows mobile customers in other EU countries to make calls, send SMS messages and surf the Internet at no additional cost.
There are only the costs of your own mobile phone contract, which also apply domestically.
The regulation is to apply for a further ten years.
The EU Parliament and the governments of the member states had agreed on the structure of free roaming.
On Monday, EU countries said they were clearing the way for the scheme after MEPs had previously approved it.
Caution remains required
The regulation comes into force on July 1 and replaces the existing requirements.
Since June 15, 2017, there have been no roaming charges in the 27 EU countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
However, cost traps are still lurking in Switzerland, which is not part of the roaming regulation.
Consumer advocates recommend checking your own tariff beforehand.
This can also be helpful when traveling through Switzerland or in border areas.
Free roaming does not apply in another popular holiday country either: Because Turkey is not part of the EU, the country does not fall under the regulation.
The regulation does not apply in all directions
Some changes to the existing rules will also be introduced at the date.
The same quality of services should be available to consumers abroad whenever possible.
Ursula Pachl from the European Consumers' Association Beuc said that one of the biggest success stories for consumers in the EU continues with this enlargement and improvement.
She criticized that messages and phone calls between EU countries can still lead to high charges if they are not covered by the roaming regulation.
This can be the case, for example, if you use a mobile phone with a German number to call a connection in another EU country.
hpp/dpa