Free EU roaming and access to a bank account for Ukrainians under temporary protection: what applies in 2026

From 1 January 2026 Ukraine officially became part of the EU "Roam Like at Home" roaming zone. This means that Ukrainians with a Ukrainian phone number can make calls, send SMS and use mobile internet in all 27 EU countries at their Ukrainian operator's tariff — with no extra roaming charge. Likewise, EU citizens travelling in Ukraine use their home tariff without mark-ups.

For many Ukrainians who live in the EU under temporary protection and have kept their Ukrainian number, this is a direct saving: staying in touch with relatives, government services and banks in Ukraine no longer leads to roaming bills.

What exactly has changed with roaming

Previously, the available connection between Ukraine and the EU rested on a voluntary operators' agreement that was renewed each time. Now it is enshrined at EU level: on 14 July 2025 the EU Council adopted the decision to integrate Ukraine into the "Roam Like at Home" zone, and from 1 January 2026 roaming works fully. The European Commission confirmed the service is already in effect: voice calls, SMS and data at domestic ("home") prices.

• Who it concerns: Ukrainians with a Ukrainian SIM number who are in any of the 27 EU countries, and EU citizens in Ukraine.
• What works without surcharges: incoming and outgoing calls, SMS and mobile internet at the home tariff.
• Important: standard "fair use" rules of your operator may apply to EU roaming — for a permanent, long-term stay abroad, a local tariff of the country of residence is usually more cost-effective. Check the details with your operator.

Temporary protection — until 4 March 2027

Roaming applies against the backdrop of extended temporary protection. The chronology of the decision is as follows: the European Commission proposed the extension on 4 June 2025, EU interior ministers politically agreed it on 13 June 2025, and the legally binding decision (Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460) was adopted by the EU Council on 15 July 2025. Temporary protection has been extended until 4 March 2027. The extension is automatic — there is no need to reapply or re-register your status merely for the extension itself at EU level.

But the rules in individual countries differ — and this is the most important thing. For example, in Poland the special law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens ceased to apply in its previous form from 5 March 2026: PESEL UKR status has been extended automatically until 4 March 2027, but you must complete data verification by the end of August 2026, and for further residence a transitional national CUKR card has been introduced (applications accepted from 4 May 2026). So "nothing needs to be done" does not apply everywhere — be sure to check the rules of your country of residence with the local migration authorities.

At the same time, the EU is preparing a "common European approach" — coordinated measures for the 2026–2027 transition period (voluntary return programmes, exploratory visits, information hubs). This is so far a framework for the future, not an abolition of protection: until 4 March 2027 the status remains valid.

The right to a basic bank account in the EU

Access to a bank account is a separate but related right. Under the EU Payment Accounts Directive (2014/92/EU), any person who legally resides in the EU — including under temporary protection — has the right to open a basic payment account. The European Banking Authority (EBA), in a statement of 27 April 2022, explicitly linked temporary protection status to the right to such an account under Article 16 of this directive and called on banks to facilitate access for displaced Ukrainians.

• A bank cannot refuse solely on the grounds that you are a refugee or hold temporary protection.
• To open an account, a document proving identity and confirmation of status/residence in the EU country is usually sufficient.
• A basic account allows you to receive a salary and payments, pay bills and use a card.

What to do now

1. If you keep a Ukrainian number, check the EU roaming terms with your operator (in particular the "fair use" limits).
2. Make sure your temporary protection permit is valid and be sure to check the rules of your country with the local authorities before 4 March 2027: the extension at EU level is automatic, but a country (such as Poland) may require data verification or a switch to a national card.
3. If you still do not have an account, contact a bank about opening a basic payment account, referring to the right of persons legally residing in the EU.

This information is for reference. The exact roaming terms depend on your operator, and the rules of temporary protection and account opening depend on your country of residence. Check with official EU sources and national authorities.