Telephone calls within the EU

Communications within the EU can be defined as calling a phone number in one EU Member State using a mobile or fixed phone from another Member State. Since 15 May 2019, Regulation (EU) 2018/1971 has ensured that the prices of communications within the EU are capped.

The cap on prices for calls from one Member State to other Member States ensures that consumers can make calls within the EU at a price not exceeding 19 cents per minute (excluding VAT) and send SMSs (text messages) for a maximum of 6 cents (excluding VAT). The rules also apply to calls and SMSs from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The price is only capped for personal use by private consumers. Business customers are excluded from this price regulation, given that several providers have special offers for them.

If consumers opt for a bundle that includes a fixed volume of international calls and/or SMSs in the EU for a set price, then the price cap is not applicable. However, if consumers consider that their bundle no longer offers the best value for money following the entry into force of this price cap, they can switch to a per-minute tariff for calls and SMSs within the EU.