Intra-EU communication Caps Means Cheaper Phone Calls Between EU Member States

Consumers calling from one EU country on a landline phone or mobile to another EU country pay a maximum amount of €0,19 per minute (+ VAT) and €0,06 per SMS (+ VAT). The prices of International communications within the EU are capped as of 15 May 2019. These communications are called intra-EU calls.

Intra-EU communication caps
Intra-EU communication caps apply from 15 May 2019. This means any retail price charged to consumers for regulated intra-EU communications shall not exceed €0,19 (+ VAT) per minute for calls and €0,06 (+ VAT) per SMS message.

The EU has made efforts to reduce the prices of electronic communications between EU countries. One of the main achievements for the Digital Single Market was the end of roaming charges in 2017 and now the EU capped intra-EU communications prices.

The regulation introducing intra-EU caps ensures that these rules will not distort competition, innovation and investment. That means that NRAs may, in exceptional circumstances, grant a derogation from the price regulation of intra-EU communications. The derogation is intended for exceptional circumstances, where the application of the price-caps would significantly impact a provider’s capacity to sustain its existing prices for domestic communications.

The cap applies to calls and SMS from one EU Member State to other EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. For calls and SMS originating in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein the rules are applicable from the date they are incorporated in the EEA agreement.

Thank you to the European Commission for this information.

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.