Free Roaming in the region, what are Albanian businesses gaining? RCC: 44% of them see ease in communication, 31% report cost reduction
“Roaming Free” in the Western Balkans has brought tangible changes to the way businesses operate in the region, but its impact has not been the same in all countries. The latest data from the Balkan Barometer 2025 shows that in Albania, the main effect of this regime is more related to facilitating communication than to directly reducing operating costs.
According to the survey, 44% of Albanian businesses state that free roaming has significantly facilitated communication with partners in the region, making cross-border cooperation, frequent contacts and coordination of activities simpler. This indicator positions Albania close to the regional average and shows that for Albanian companies, the main benefit is functional and operational.
On the other hand, only 31% of businesses in Albania see a reduction in operating costs as a direct result of the “Roaming Free” regime. This level is lower than the regional average and significantly lower compared to countries such as Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro, where the perception of financial savings is much higher. This suggests that for Albanian businesses, roaming costs have not necessarily been a major burden, or that the financial benefits have not yet been fully reflected in their balance sheets.
Meanwhile, 44% of Albanian businesses declare that the “Roaming Free” regime has had no impact on their activity. This is one of the highest percentages in the region and signals that a significant portion of businesses either operate mainly within the domestic market, or have not yet exploited the potential of regional cooperation that this regime offers.
Also, 22% of businesses in Albania say they are not informed about the existence of the "Roaming Free" regime. Meanwhile, roaming tariffs for Albania with the European Union will end in 2026. This was announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, at the joint roundtable with the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and the 6 leaders of the Western Balkans.
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