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Last Updated on 18/07/2023 by STEPHANE
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The cost of communications between European countries just decreased a lot
Roaming tarifs are live in EU since June 2017
Since 15 June 2017, EU citizens can roam at domestic prices when travelling in the EU.
What does it means?
People can use their mobiles abroad in the EU at no extra cost. This roam like at home principle is valid for any calls, SMS as well as data use: the tariffs that apply remain the same as when the person is home.
So what happens now?
Call any country within Europe and pay €0.24 maximum per minute
As of 15 May 2019, phone calls via landline and mobile phone or SMS made from one EU country to another are capped at 19 cents per minute (+VAT) and 6 cents per SMS (+VAT). This price does not include VAT, which varies depending on the EU Member States of the calling operator (European Member States’ rates of VAT range between 17% and 27%).
I heard a politician say that they needed 8 years to reach this deal…
Is the rule applicable for everybody?
The maximum price is capped only for personal usage, i.e. for private customers. Business customers are excluded from this price regulation, given that several providers have special offers particularly attractive for business customers.
Are the price caps automatically applicable or do citizens have to do something to benefit from the lower prices?
Operators must offer price caps for international calls and SMS by default.
Source: European Commission
Another interesting paper on a related subject: The cost of living in Spain is much lower than in many places in Europe!
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