WARSAW — Poland has warned SpaceX that it could reconsider its annual payments for Starlink services supporting Ukraine after Polish customers were excluded from Starlink’s European roaming region.
Polish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski addressed SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on X, saying Poland might reconsider paying about $50 million a year for Starlink services if Polish users continue to face different roaming conditions from customers in other European countries.
The dispute follows changes to Starlink’s roaming rules. Starlink’s current guidance lists more than 30 European countries in a common roaming region, while stating that Poland is not included. Accounts registered in Poland are treated as intended for use in Poland.
Polish Users Face Different Roaming Conditions
Under the updated rules, Polish Starlink customers traveling outside the country face additional requirements and may need to use a more expensive plan for extended international use.
The changes were introduced for new customers in July, while existing customers are scheduled to be affected from August 17, 2026. Starlink has separately announced that its Global Roam plan is being discontinued for existing customers from August 17, with customers advised to move to another international plan.
Polish officials have sought an explanation from SpaceX and questioned why Poland has been excluded from the European roaming region while other European countries remain included.
Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said Poland expected equal treatment for Polish customers and asked SpaceX to identify any specific regulatory reasons behind the decision.
Dispute Linked to Starlink Support for Ukraine
The roaming dispute has also brought Poland's financial support for Starlink services in Ukraine back into focus.
Poland has funded Starlink terminals and subscriptions for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion. Polish officials have previously said that the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs pays about $50 million annually for Starlink services used in Ukraine.
Sikorski has previously warned that Poland could look for alternative suppliers if SpaceX proved to be an unreliable provider. The issue has been part of a wider public dispute between Sikorski and Musk over Starlink's role in Ukraine and the costs paid by Poland.
The two have exchanged public criticism over Starlink on several occasions. In earlier discussions, Sikorski pointed out that Poland finances the Starlink service used by Ukraine, while Musk disputed the significance of Poland's contribution.
SpaceX Has Not Given a Public Explanation
As of August 12, SpaceX had not publicly provided a detailed explanation for why Poland was excluded from the European roaming region.
The Starlink guidance confirms the exclusion, but does not provide a reason for Poland's separate treatment. The change has therefore prompted questions from Polish officials and users about the basis for the policy.
For existing Polish customers, the new arrangements are scheduled to take effect on August 17. Poland is continuing to seek clarification from SpaceX while the dispute remains unresolved.
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