CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="Enlargement happens when new countries join the European Union. This has taken place several times in the EU鈥檚 history, each time transforming both the EU and the countries that join." /> <meta name="keywords" content="enlargement of the Union" /> <meta http-equiv="content-language" content="en" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" /> <meta property="og:determiner" content="auto" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="European Union" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" /> <meta property="og:title" content="EU enlargement" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Enlargement happens when new countries join the European Union. This has taken place several times in the EU鈥檚 history, each time transforming both the EU and the countries that join." /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="EU enlargement" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Enlargement happens when new countries join the European Union. This has taken place several times in the EU鈥檚 history, each time transforming both the EU and the countries that join." /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://european-union.europa.eu/profiles/contrib/ewcms/modules/ewcms_seo/assets/images/eu-socialmedia-fallback.png" /> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="European Union" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://european-union.europa.eu/profiles/contrib/ewcms/modules/ewcms_seo/assets/images/eu-socialmedia-fallback.png" /> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="European Union" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <script type="application/json">{"service":"etrans","renderAs":false,"user":"European Union","exclude":".ecl-site-header__language-item,.ecl-site-header__language-selector,.toolbar","languages":{"source":"en","available":["bg","es","cs","da","de","et","el","en","fr","ga","hr","it","lv","lt","hu","mt","nl","pl","pt","ro","sk","sl","fi","sv"]},"config":{"live":false,"mode":"lc2023","targets":{"receiver":"#webtools-etrans"}}}</script> <script type="application/json">{"service":"preview","position":"before"}</script> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/images/favicons/eu/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="bg" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_bg" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_es" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="cs" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_cs" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="da" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_da" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="de" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_de" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="et" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_et" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="el" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_el" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_fr" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="ga" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_ga" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="hr" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_hr" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="it" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_it" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="lv" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_lv" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="lt" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_lt" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="hu" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_hu" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="mt" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_mt" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="nl" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_nl" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="pl" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_pl" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="pt-pt" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_pt" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="ro" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_ro" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="sk" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_sk" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="sl" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_sl" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="fi" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_fi" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="sv" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_sv" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/images/favicons/eu/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/images/favicons/eu/favicon.png" /> <title>EU enlargement - European Union</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_gUrVfRlSlnm6GJ7YfSYRNnWC9q_TEKDxdpETpeU8WDM.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxtjeEKwkAMg1_o2B7p6Lbqir22tD303t6hDhH8F5IviWLNHRvOqzZTQcnKtDj4qNhLjEhs8wKBRU_SnCQL3tcWH-dCyFvFR6ILcKVV5Sf_6GF6dbB9_AmPSh4D_agzyS2KgcOLjnnzbsDT15m6WF-YYsftvXVeqHKSPQF661Ui" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_ObeP9tMElVXp59Cu9z4AgRE078KCq3CfH2sLPYElYTM.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxtjeEKwkAMg1_o2B7p6Lbqir22tD303t6hDhH8F5IviWLNHRvOqzZTQcnKtDj4qNhLjEhs8wKBRU_SnCQL3tcWH-dCyFvFR6ILcKVV5Sf_6GF6dbB9_AmPSh4D_agzyS2KgcOLjnnzbsDT15m6WF-YYsftvXVeqHKSPQF661Ui" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_FmO9fFDFCGldlQGwMPnQEt9Z9mUd0lPQ3WGPKaggA8w.css?delta=2&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxtjeEKwkAMg1_o2B7p6Lbqir22tD303t6hDhH8F5IviWLNHRvOqzZTQcnKtDj4qNhLjEhs8wKBRU_SnCQL3tcWH-dCyFvFR6ILcKVV5Sf_6GF6dbB9_AmPSh4D_agzyS2KgcOLjnnzbsDT15m6WF-YYsftvXVeqHKSPQF661Ui" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_TLiC1S7dNeqQgJciYsvvl203wdLqCIKKBPWd0O3Ky8U.css?delta=3&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxtjeEKwkAMg1_o2B7p6Lbqir22tD303t6hDhH8F5IviWLNHRvOqzZTQcnKtDj4qNhLjEhs8wKBRU_SnCQL3tcWH-dCyFvFR6ILcKVV5Sf_6GF6dbB9_AmPSh4D_agzyS2KgcOLjnnzbsDT15m6WF-YYsftvXVeqHKSPQF661Ui" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_brbHafvpfTH1U0-BNcuKFSyK7sEsv-aEmOSff9NoBDQ.css?delta=4&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxtjeEKwkAMg1_o2B7p6Lbqir22tD303t6hDhH8F5IviWLNHRvOqzZTQcnKtDj4qNhLjEhs8wKBRU_SnCQL3tcWH-dCyFvFR6ILcKVV5Sf_6GF6dbB9_AmPSh4D_agzyS2KgcOLjnnzbsDT15m6WF-YYsftvXVeqHKSPQF661Ui" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_W1nj3RC6E-OOXh6wTU1iy_j2IK1YN-vYfUIkBFJW-dY.css?delta=5&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxtjeEKwkAMg1_o2B7p6Lbqir22tD303t6hDhH8F5IviWLNHRvOqzZTQcnKtDj4qNhLjEhs8wKBRU_SnCQL3tcWH-dCyFvFR6ILcKVV5Sf_6GF6dbB9_AmPSh4D_agzyS2KgcOLjnnzbsDT15m6WF-YYsftvXVeqHKSPQF661Ui" /> </head> <body class="language-en ecl-typography path-node page-node-type-landing-page"> <a href="#main-content" class="ecl-link ecl-link--primary ecl-skip-link" id="skip-id" >Skip to main content</a> <div id="cck_here"></div> <script type="application/json">{"utility":"globan","theme":"light","logo":true,"link":true,"mode":false}</script> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <header class="ecl-site-header ecl-site-header--has-menu" data-ecl-auto-init="SiteHeader" > <div class="ecl-site-header__background"> <div class="ecl-site-header__header"> <div class="ecl-site-header__container ecl-container"> <div class="ecl-site-header__top" data-ecl-site-header-top> <a class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-header__logo-link" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en" aria-label="Home - European Union" data-aria-label-en="Home - European Union" > <picture class="ecl-picture ecl-site-header__picture" title="European Union" ><source srcset="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/logo/standard-version/positive/logo-eu--en.svg" media="(min-width: 996px)" ><img class="ecl-site-header__logo-image" src="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/logo/condensed-version/positive/logo-eu--en.svg" alt="European Union flag" ></picture> </a> <div class="ecl-site-header__action"> <div class="ecl-site-header__language"><a class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-site-header__language-selector" href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" data-ecl-language-selector role="button" aria-label="Change language, current language is English - English" aria-controls="language-list-overlay" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-icon"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-site-header__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="false" role="img"><title >English</title><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#global"></use></svg></span>English</a><div class="ecl-site-header__language-container" id="language-list-overlay" hidden data-ecl-language-list-overlay aria-labelledby="ecl-site-header__language-title" role="dialog"><div class="ecl-site-header__language-header"><div class="ecl-site-header__language-title" id="ecl-site-header__language-title" >Select your language</div><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-site-header__language-close ecl-button--icon-only" type="submit" data-ecl-language-list-close ><span class="ecl-button__container"><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Close</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--m ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#close-filled"></use></svg></span></button></div><div class="ecl-site-header__language-content" data-ecl-language-list-content ><div class="ecl-site-header__language-category" data-ecl-language-list-eu><div class="ecl-site-header__language-category-title">EU official languages</div><ul class="ecl-site-header__language-list"><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_bg" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="bg" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">bg</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="bg">斜褗谢谐邪褉褋泻懈</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_es" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="es" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">es</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="es">espa帽ol</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_cs" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="cs" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">cs</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="cs">膷e拧tina</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_da" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="da" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">da</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="da">dansk</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_de" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="de" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">de</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="de">Deutsch</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_et" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="et" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">et</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="et">eesti</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_el" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="el" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">el</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="el">蔚位位畏谓喂魏维</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link ecl-site-header__language-link--active" hreflang="en" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">en</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="en">English</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_fr" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="fr" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">fr</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="fr">fran莽ais</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_ga" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="ga" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">ga</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="ga">Gaeilge</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_hr" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="hr" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">hr</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="hr">hrvatski</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_it" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="it" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">it</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="it">italiano</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_lv" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="lv" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">lv</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="lv">latvie拧u</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_lt" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="lt" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">lt</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="lt">lietuvi懦</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_hu" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="hu" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">hu</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="hu">magyar</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_mt" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="mt" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">mt</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="mt">Malti</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_nl" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="nl" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">nl</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="nl">Nederlands</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_pl" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="pl" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">pl</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="pl">polski</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_pt" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="pt" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">pt</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="pt">portugu锚s</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_ro" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="ro" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">ro</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="ro">rom芒n膬</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_sk" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="sk" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">sk</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="sk">sloven膷ina</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_sl" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="sl" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">sl</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="sl">sloven拧膷ina</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_fi" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="fi" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">fi</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="fi">suomi</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_sv" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" hreflang="sv" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">sv</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label" lang="sv">svenska</span></a></li></ul></div><div class="ecl-site-header__language-category" data-ecl-language-list-non-eu><div class="ecl-site-header__language-category-title">Other languages</div><ul class="ecl-site-header__language-list"><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_ru" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">ru</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label">褉褍褋褋泻懈泄</span></a></li><li class="ecl-site-header__language-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_uk" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-site-header__language-link" lang="uk" hreflang="uk" ><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-code">uk</span><span class="ecl-site-header__language-link-label">y泻褉邪褩薪褋褜泻邪</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> <div class="ecl-site-header__search-container" role="search"> <a class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-site-header__search-toggle" href="" data-ecl-search-toggle="true" aria-controls="oe-search-search-form" aria-expanded="false" ><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-site-header__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" role="img"><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#search"></use></svg>Search </a> <form class="ecl-search-form ecl-site-header__search" role="search" action="/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" method="post" id="oe-search-search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8" data-ecl-search-form ><div class="ecl-form-group"><label for="edit-keys" id="edit-keys-label" class="ecl-form-label ecl-search-form__label" >Search</label><input id="edit-keys" class="ecl-text-input ecl-text-input--m ecl-search-form__text-input form-search ecl-search-form__text-input" name="keys" type="search" ></div><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--primary ecl-search-form__button ecl-search-form__button" type="submit" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#search"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Search</span></span></button><input data-drupal-selector="form-akiubzpjlje5toegx9s1prg13i0r-ud-7zfvvp7mkp4" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-akIUBzPJLjE5tOeGx9S1PrG13i0R-ud-7ZfvVP7mKP4" /><input data-drupal-selector="edit-oe-search-search-form" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="oe_search_search_form" /></form> <script type="application/json">{"service":"search","results":"in","form":".ecl-search-form","lang":"en","key":"EUNION"}</script> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-site-header__banner"></div> <div id="block-ewcms-theme-horizontal-menu"> <nav class="ecl-menu" data-ecl-menu data-ecl-menu-max-lines="2" data-ecl-auto-init="Menu" data-ecl-menu-label-open="Menu" data-ecl-menu-label-close="Close" aria-expanded="false" role="navigation" aria-label="Site navigation" ><div class="ecl-menu__overlay"></div><div class="ecl-container ecl-menu__container"><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-menu__open ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-open aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--m ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#hamburger"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#close-filled"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Menu</span></span></button><section class="ecl-menu__inner" data-ecl-menu-inner aria-label="Menu"><header class="ecl-menu__inner-header"><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__close" type="submit" data-ecl-menu-close ><span class="ecl-button__container"><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Close</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#close-filled"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__title">Menu</div><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__back" type="submit" data-ecl-menu-back ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-270 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Back</span></span></button></header><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__items-previous ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-items-previous tabindex="-1" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-270 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Previous items</span></span></button><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__items-next ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-items-next tabindex="-1" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Next items</span></span></button><ul class="ecl-menu__list" data-ecl-menu-list><li class="ecl-menu__item" data-ecl-menu-item id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-0"><a href="/index_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Home" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-0-link" >Home</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--current ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-1"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link ecl-menu__link--current" data-untranslated-label="Principles, countries, history" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-1-link" >Principles, countries, history</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-1-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/principles-and-values_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Principles and values" >Principles and values</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/facts-and-figures-european-union_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Facts and figures on the European Union " >Facts and figures on the European Union </a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-countries_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU countries" >EU countries</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__subitem--current" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink ecl-menu__sublink--current" data-untranslated-label="EU enlargement" aria-current="page" >EU enlargement</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/history-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="History of the EU" >History of the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/symbols_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Symbols" >Symbols</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/languages_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Languages" >Languages</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-made-easy_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU made easy" >EU made easy</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-2"><a href="/institutions-law-budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Institutions, law, budget" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-2-link" >Institutions, law, budget</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-2-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Institutions and bodies" >Institutions and bodies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/leadership_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Leadership " >Leadership </a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/law_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Law" >Law</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Budget" >Budget</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/euro_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="The Euro" >The Euro</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/institutions-law-budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-3"><a href="/priorities-and-actions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Priorities and actions" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-3-link" >Priorities and actions</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-3-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-priorities_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU priorities" >EU priorities</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/actions-topic_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Actions by topic" >Actions by topic</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/european-years_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="European years" >European years</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-support-ukraine_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU support for Ukraine" >EU support for Ukraine</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/priorities-and-actions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-4"><a href="/live-work-study_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Live, work, study" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-4-link" >Live, work, study</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-4-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/living-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Living in the EU" >Living in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/travelling-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Travelling in the EU" >Travelling in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/participate-interact-vote_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Participate, interact, vote" >Participate, interact, vote</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/immigration-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Immigration to the EU" >Immigration to the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/working-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Working in the EU" >Working in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/doing-business-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Doing business in the EU" >Doing business in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/import-and-export_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Import and export" >Import and export</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/funding-grants-subsidies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Funding, grants, subsidies" >Funding, grants, subsidies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/public-contracts_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Public contracts" >Public contracts</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/studying-and-training-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Studying and training in the EU" >Studying and training in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/jobs-and-traineeships-eu-institutions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Jobs and traineeships in EU institutions" >Jobs and traineeships in EU institutions</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/live-work-study_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-5"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="News and events" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-5-link" >News and events</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-5-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Events" >Events</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/news-and-stories_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Featured news" >Featured news</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/press-releases_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Latest news from EU institutions and bodies" >Latest news from EU institutions and bodies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-6"><a href="/contact-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Contact the EU" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-6-link" >Contact the EU</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-677852314-6-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/write-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Write to us" >Write to us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/call-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Call us" >Call us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/meet-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Meet us" >Meet us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/institutions-and-bodies-profiles_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Contact details: institutions, bodies and agencies" >Contact details: institutions, bodies and agencies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/visit-european-union-institution_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Visit a European Union institution" >Visit a European Union institution</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/europe-and-worldwide-offices_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Europe and worldwide offices" >Europe and worldwide offices</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/make-complaint_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Make a complaint" >Make a complaint</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/press-contacts_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Press contacts" >Press contacts</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/social-media-channels_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Social media channels" >Social media channels</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/contact-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li></ul></section></div></nav> </div> </header> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl" id="block-ewcms-theme-page-header"> <div class="ecl-page-header" ><div class="ecl-container"><nav class="ecl-breadcrumb ecl-page-header__breadcrumb" aria-label="You are here:" aria-label="" data-ecl-breadcrumb="true" ><ol class="ecl-breadcrumb__container"><li class="ecl-breadcrumb__segment" data-ecl-breadcrumb-item="static"><a href="/index_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-breadcrumb__link" >Home</a><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--fluid ecl-breadcrumb__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" role="presentation"><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></li><li class="ecl-breadcrumb__segment" data-ecl-breadcrumb-item="static"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--no-visited ecl-breadcrumb__link" >Principles, countries, history</a><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--fluid ecl-breadcrumb__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" role="presentation"><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></li><li class="ecl-breadcrumb__segment ecl-breadcrumb__current-page" data-ecl-breadcrumb-item="static" aria-current="page"><span>EU enlargement</span></li></ol></nav><div class="ecl-page-header__info"><h1 class="ecl-page-header__title"><span>EU enlargement</span></h1></div></div></div> </div> <main class="ecl-u-pb-xl" id="main-content" data-inpage-navigation-source-area="h2.ecl-u-type-heading-2, div.ecl-featured-item__heading"> <div class="ecl-container"> <div class="ecl-row"> <div class="ecl-col-s-12 ewcms-top-sidebar"> <div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-row"> <div class="ecl-col-s-12"> <div id="block-ewcms-theme-main-page-content" data-inpage-navigation-source-area="h2, div.ecl-featured-item__heading" class="ecl-u-mb-l"> <article dir="ltr"> <div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1874"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">What is enlargement?</h2> </div> <div class="ecl"><p lang="EN-US">Enlargement happens when new countries join the European Union. This has taken place several times in the EU鈥檚 history, each time transforming both the EU and the countries that join.   </p> <p lang="EN-US">The enlargement of the EU has contributed significantly to the spread of stability, peace and prosperity across the continent.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1882"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"><h3>Benefits for countries joining the EU</h3> <p>Enlargement brings many benefits for new Member States, including</p> <ul> <li>political stability</li> <li>freedom for citizens to live, study or work anywhere in the EU</li> <li>increased trade via access to the single market</li> <li>increased funding and investment</li> <li>higher social, environmental, and consumer standards</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/priorities-and-actions/eu-priorities/achievements_en">Find out more about the benefits and achievements of the European Union.</a></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1883"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"><h3>Benefits for the EU</h3> <p>Enlargement also benefits the EU, as it means</p> <ul> <li>increased prosperity and opportunities for European citizens and businesses</li> <li>a stronger voice on the world stage</li> <li>more cultural diversity</li> <li>the promotion of democracy, rule of law, and human rights</li> <li>an investment in peace and security in Europe</li> </ul></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1875"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">Which countries can join?</h2> </div> <div class="ecl"><p>Any European country can join the EU if it fulfills the membership criteria, also known as the <strong>Copenhagen criteria</strong>. For example, countries wishing to join must have</p> <ul> <li>stable institutions that can guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities. </li> <li>a functioning market economy and the ability to cope with the competitive pressure of the EU market. </li> <li>the ability to take on the obligations of EU membership, including the capacity to implement all EU law and adhere to the aims of the Union. </li> </ul></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1876"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">How does it work?</h2> </div> <div class="ecl"><p lang="EN-US">Each country that applies to join the EU must fulfil the same strict requirements and follow the same rigorous process to become a Member State. </p> <p>There are three main steps to this process, also known as the <strong>accession process</strong>. These are:  </p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1950"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"><h3>Step 1: Candidacy</h3> <p>A country wishing to join the EU must submit a membership application to the Council of the EU. The Council then asks the European Commission to check the applicant country鈥檚 ability to fulfill the membership criteria.</p> <p>Based on the Commission's recommendations, the Council decides whether to grant the country <strong>candidate status </strong>and to begin formal negotiations for its accession to the Union. <strong>All EU Member States</strong> must agree on this decision.</p> <h3>Step 2: Membership negotiations </h3> <p>During membership negotiations, the candidate country prepares to implement EU laws and standards, also known as the <strong>acquis</strong>.</p> <p>Throughout the negotiations, the Commission monitors the candidate's progress on these reforms and keeps the Council and European Parliament informed of this through regular reports and communications.</p> <h3 lang="EN-US">Step 3: Accession</h3> <p lang="EN-US">Once the negotiations are complete, the Commission gives its opinion on whether the candidate is ready to become a Member State. If the Commission recommends that the candidate is ready, an <strong>accession treaty</strong> is prepared. This document details the terms and conditions of the country's EU membership.</p> <p lang="EN-US">The accession treaty must then be approved by the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament before being <strong>signed and ratified</strong> by all EU Member States and the candidate country. </p> <p>The candidate country officially joins the EU on the date outlined in its accession treaty.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ewcms-page-section ecl-u-mb-2xl ecl-u-bg-primary-5"> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_1881"></a> <article class="ecl-featured-item" ><div class="ecl-featured-item__container ecl-featured-item__container--right"><div class="ecl-featured-item__item"><div class="ecl-featured-item__title"><span class="ecl-featured-item__title-content"> Special process for the Western Balkans</span></div><div class="ecl-featured-item__description"><div class="ecl"><p>Partners in the Western Balkans follow a unique enlargement process called the <strong>stabilisation and association process</strong> (SAP). The partners currently involved in this process are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.</p><p>The goal of the SAP is to stabilise these partners politically and economically so that they will eventually be ready to join the EU. The EU plans to achieve this by</p><ul><li>providing financial assistance</li><li>allowing easy access to EU markets</li><li>promoting cooperation between countries in the region</li></ul><p>The European Commission has recently adopted a <strong>new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans</strong>. The aim of this plan is to prepare Western Balkan partners for accession through economic reforms and investment and to bring some of the benefits of EU membership to citizens in the region. </p><p lang="EN-US"><a href="https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/new-growth-plan-western-balkans_en" class="ecl-link">Find out more about what the EU is doing for the Western Balkans.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-featured-item__item"><div class="ecl-media-container ecl-featured-item__media_container" ><figure class="ecl-media-container__figure"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-media-container__picture" ><img class="ecl-media-container__media" src="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2023-12/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%285%29.png?itok=KtA1YD8J" alt="A collection of images from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia." ></picture></figure></div></div></div></article> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1945"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"><h3>History of enlargement</h3> <p>Seven enlargements have taken place since the EU was first formed by its six founding members. Today there are 27 countries in the EU. </p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1943"></a> <ol class="ecl-timeline" data-ecl-auto-init="Timeline" data-ecl-timeline ><li class="ecl-timeline__item" id="ecl-timeline-item-1205087475"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-07-2013</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Seventh enlargement</div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Croatia joins the EU in the most recent enlargement.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item" id="ecl-timeline-item-183465077"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-01-2007</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Sixth enlargement</div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Bulgaria and Romania join the EU.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item" id="ecl-timeline-item-1368835083"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-05-2004</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Fifth enlargement </div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Ten new countries join the EU: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This is the largest enlargement in terms of people and number of countries.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item ecl-timeline__item--collapsed" id="ecl-timeline-item-411794910"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-01-1995</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Fourth enlargement</div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the European Union (EU), the successor of the EEC following the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993. The 15 members now cover almost the whole of western Europe.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item ecl-timeline__item--collapsed" id="ecl-timeline-item-1060683555"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-01-1986 </div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Third enlargement</div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Spain and Portugal join the EEC. The number of Member States is now 12.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item ecl-timeline__item--collapsed" id="ecl-timeline-item-1114963736"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-01-1981</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Second enlargement </div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Membership of the EEC reaches double figures when Greece joins.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item ecl-timeline__item--collapsed" id="ecl-timeline-item-505490340"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">01-01-1973聽</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">First enlargement聽</div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the EEC, raising the number of Member States to nine.</p></div></div></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item ecl-timeline__item--toggle"><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--secondary ecl-timeline__toggle" type="button" data-ecl-timeline-button data-ecl-label-collapsed="Show 4 more items" data-ecl-label-expanded="Hide 4 items" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Show 4 more items</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button></li><li class="ecl-timeline__item" id="ecl-timeline-item-1734755571"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip"><div class="ecl-timeline__tooltip-arrow"></div><div class="ecl-timeline__label">25-03-1957</div><div class="ecl-timeline__title">Founding members</div><div class="ecl-timeline__content"><p>Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Rome. This establishes the European Economic Community (EEC), which would eventually become the EU we know today.</p></div></div></li></ol> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1885"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">Potential enlargement of the EU</h2> </div> <div class="ecl"><p>Further enlargement of the EU is possible, as ten aspiring members are currently involved in the accession process.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1887"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"><h3>Candidate countries</h3> <p>These countries have been granted candidate status, and are currently reforming their national laws to align with EU rules, regulations, and standards.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1896"></a> <div class="ecl-accordion" data-ecl-auto-init="Accordion" data-ecl-accordion ><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-0-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-0-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Albania</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-0-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-0-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in April 2009</li><li>Became a candidate country in June 2014</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in July 2022</li></ul><p><a href="https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/albania_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Albania and the EU</a><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/albania_en" class="ecl-link">.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-1-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-1-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Bosnia and Herzegovina</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-1-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-1-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in February 2016</li><li>Became a candidate country in December 2022</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/bosnia-herzegovina_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU</a><a href="showCountryInfo('BA')?prefLang=en" class="ecl-link">.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-2-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-2-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Georgia</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-2-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-2-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in March 2022</li><li>Became a candidate country in December 2023</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/georgia_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Georgia and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-3-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-3-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Moldova</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-3-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-3-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in March 2022</li><li>Became a candidate country in June 2022</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in June 2024</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/moldova_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Moldova and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-4-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-4-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Montenegro</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-4-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-4-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in December 2008</li><li>Became a candidate country in December 2010</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in June 2012</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/montenegro_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Montenegro and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-5-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-5-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">North Macedonia</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-5-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-5-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in March 2004</li><li>Became a candidate country in December 2005</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in March 2022</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/north-macedonia_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about North Macedonia and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-6-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-6-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Serbia</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-6-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-6-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in December 2008</li><li>Became a candidate country in December 2010</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in June 2012</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/serbia_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Serbia and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-7-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-7-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">T眉rkiye</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-7-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-7-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in April 1987</li><li>Became a candidate country in December 1999</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in October 2005</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/turkey_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about T眉rkiye and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1896-8-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1896-8-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Ukraine</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1896-8-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1896-8-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in February 2022</li><li>Became a candidate country in June 2022</li><li>Membership negotiations opened in June 2024</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/ukraine_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Ukraine and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div></div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1897"></a> <div> <div class="ecl"><h3>Potential candidate</h3> <p>A potential candidate has applied to join the EU, but has not yet been granted candidate status.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1900"></a> <div class="ecl-accordion" data-ecl-auto-init="Accordion" data-ecl-accordion ><div class="ecl-accordion__item"><h3 class="ecl-accordion__title" id="paragraph-1900-0-title"><button type="button" class="ecl-accordion__toggle" data-ecl-accordion-toggle aria-controls="paragraph-1900-0-content" ><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-flex"><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-title">Kosovo</span><span class="ecl-accordion__toggle-indicator"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#plus"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-accordion__toggle-icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-accordion-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#minus"></use></svg></span></span></button></h3><div class="ecl-accordion__content" hidden id="paragraph-1900-0-content" role="region" aria-labelledby="paragraph-1900-0-title" ><div class="ecl"><ul><li>Applied for EU membership in December 2022</li></ul><p><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/kosovo_en" class="ecl-link">Read more about Kosovo and the EU.</a></p></div></div></div></div> </div> <div class="related-links"> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">Related links</h2> <div class="ecl-list"> <div class="ecl-content-item-block"><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 "><a href="https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/conditions-membership_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >EU membership requirements</a></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 "><a href="https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/steps-towards-joining_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >The accession process in more detail</a></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 last-item-column last-item"><a href="https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/enhanced-eu-engagement-western-balkans_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >EU and the Western Balkans</a></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-row"> <div class="ecl-col-s-12"> <div> <div id="block-ewcms-theme-socialshare"> <div class="ecl-social-media-share"> <p class="ecl-social-media-share__description"> Share this page </p> <script type="application/json">{"service":"share","version":"2.0","networks":["twitter","facebook","linkedin","email","more"],"display":"icons","stats":true,"selection":true}</script> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="block-ewcms-theme-pagefeedbackform"> <script type="application/json">{"service":"dff","id":"8ymLyzGc_dff_v2","lang":"en","version":"2.0"}</script> </div> <footer class="ecl-site-footer" data-logo-area-label-en="Home - European Union" ><div class="ecl-container ecl-site-footer__container"><div class="ecl-site-footer__row"><div class="ecl-site-footer__column"><div class="ecl-site-footer__section"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__logo-link" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-site-footer__picture" title="European Union" ><source srcset="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/logo/standard-version/positive/logo-eu--en.svg" media="(min-width: 996px)" ><img class="ecl-site-footer__logo-image" src="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/logo/condensed-version/positive/logo-eu--en.svg" alt="European Union flag" ></picture></a><div class="ecl-site-footer__description">This site is managed by:<br />Directorate-General for Communication</div></div></div><div class="ecl-site-footer__column"><div class="ecl-site-footer__section"><div class="ecl-site-footer__title">Contact the EU</div><ul class="ecl-site-footer__list"><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="tel:0080067891011" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Contact the EU" data-footer-link-label="Call us 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11" >Call us 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/call-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Contact the EU" data-footer-link-label="Use other telephone options" >Use other telephone options</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Contact the EU" data-footer-link-label="Write to us via our contact form" >Write to us via our contact form</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/meet-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Contact the EU" data-footer-link-label="Meet us at one of the EU centres" >Meet us at one of the EU centres</a></li></ul></div><div class="ecl-site-footer__section"><div class="ecl-site-footer__title">Social media</div><ul class="ecl-site-footer__list"><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/social-media-channels_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Social media" data-footer-link-label="Search for EU social media channels" >Search for EU social media channels</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="ecl-site-footer__column"><div class="ecl-site-footer__section"><div class="ecl-site-footer__title">Legal</div><ul class="ecl-site-footer__list"><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/languages-our-websites_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Legal" data-footer-link-label="Languages on our websites" >Languages on our websites</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/privacy-policy_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Legal" data-footer-link-label="Privacy policy" >Privacy policy</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/legal-notice_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Legal" data-footer-link-label="Legal notice" >Legal notice</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/cookies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="Legal" data-footer-link-label="Cookies" >Cookies</a></li><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/accessibility-statement_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-is-accessibility-link="true" >Accessibility</a></li></ul></div><div class="ecl-site-footer__section"><div class="ecl-site-footer__title">EU institutions and bodies</div><ul class="ecl-site-footer__list"><li class="ecl-site-footer__list-item"><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/search-all-eu-institutions-and-bodies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-site-footer__link" data-section-label-untranslated="EU institutions and bodies" data-footer-link-label="Search all EU institutions and bodies" >Search all EU institutions and bodies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div></footer> </div> <script type="application/json">{"utility":"piwik","siteID":"c9513597-70e6-4b84-80c5-36f9dddf8c7c","sitePath":["european-union.europa.eu"],"siteSection":"principles-countries-history","instance":"ec","dimensions":[{"id":3,"value":"Landing Page"},{"id":4,"value":"enlargement-of-the-Union"},{"id":5,"value":"Directorate-General-for-Communication"},{"id":6,"value":"EU enlargement"},{"id":7,"value":"0de24f7a-4ed7-4c77-a93b-b5a18fb70089"},{"id":8,"value":"EU - CORE"},{"id":9,"value":"enlargement-of-the-Union European-Union"},{"id":10,"value":"Not Easy-to-read"}]}</script> <script type="application/json">{"utility":"cck"}</script> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/1181","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en","urlSuffixes":["bg","cs","da","de","et","el","en","es","fr","ga","hr","it","lv","lt","hu","mt","nl","pl","pt","ro","sk","sl","fi","sv","tr","ar","ca","is","no","uk","ru","zh","lb","sw","he","ja"]},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"ad0a12daa436f8b0b09218df8f32568bcfd8d2e8e816649b029a757f4c0940d4"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_QulTpLCILVoYn8gIT76iTFeYEBBM97lAX91dCZJzwcM.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxVjVEKg0AMRC_U1iOFuA66kE0kyWq9faUopX8zvOGNgXaMaSYxTN5Xltfdn9HYU4wn-MNAuaBhKNZWU2iS1NHZD0L_UbwTriwU2_zAXlrc4Jv5REfWEhdrXbJK1bmzXJPGZal6-pw1hLOaktp5tuFfWCi6bzg-nHROBQ"></script> <script src="https://webtools.europa.eu/load.js" defer></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_t5vFBJfxplpMCNTIl-C4fG_EXxwMIpM65p8QTTGvjNk.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=ewcms_theme&include=eJxVjVEKg0AMRC_U1iOFuA66kE0kyWq9faUopX8zvOGNgXaMaSYxTN5Xltfdn9HYU4wn-MNAuaBhKNZWU2iS1NHZD0L_UbwTriwU2_zAXlrc4Jv5REfWEhdrXbJK1bmzXJPGZal6-pw1hLOaktp5tuFfWCi6bzg-nHROBQ"></script> <script src="https://ec.europa.eu/wel/surveys/wr_survey01/wr_survey.js" defer></script> </body> </html>