As of 2024, there are 27 member states in the European Union (EU). This political and economic union is a unique entity where sovereign nations pool their authority in specific areas to gain collective strength, creating a single market that allows for the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people.

The number of member states has changed significantly since the organization’s inception following World War II. While the union reached a peak of 28 members, the departure of the United Kingdom in 2020 returned the count to its current 27. Understanding which countries belong to the EU—and which do not—is essential for grasping the complexities of modern international trade, travel, and diplomacy.

The Official List of 27 EU Member States

The 27 countries that make up the European Union are diverse in culture, history, and economic scale, ranging from the vast landscapes of France and Germany to the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Malta. Below is the current alphabetical list of member states:

  1. Austria (Joined 1995)
  2. Belgium (Founding Member, 1958)
  3. Bulgaria (Joined 2007)
  4. Croatia (Joined 2013)
  5. Cyprus (Joined 2004)
  6. Czechia (Joined 2004)
  7. Denmark (Joined 1973)
  8. Estonia (Joined 2004)
  9. Finland (Joined 1995)
  10. France (Founding Member, 1958)
  11. Germany (Founding Member, 1958)
  12. Greece (Joined 1981)
  13. Hungary (Joined 2004)
  14. Ireland (Joined 1973)
  15. Italy (Founding Member, 1958)
  16. Latvia (Joined 2004)
  17. Lithuania (Joined 2004)
  18. Luxembourg (Founding Member, 1958)
  19. Malta (Joined 2004)
  20. Netherlands (Founding Member, 1958)
  21. Poland (Joined 2004)
  22. Portugal (Joined 1986)
  23. Romania (Joined 2007)
  24. Slovakia (Joined 2004)
  25. Slovenia (Joined 2004)
  26. Spain (Joined 1986)
  27. Sweden (Joined 1995)

These nations represent approximately 450 million citizens. While they remain independent sovereign nations, they delegate some of their decision-making powers to shared EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the European Parliament, to ensure consistent laws and standards across the bloc.

The Evolution of the Union: From 6 to 27 Members

The European Union did not appear overnight. It is the result of decades of integration, starting as a project to ensure peace in post-war Europe.

The Founding Era (1950s)

The journey began in 1951 with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which aimed to make war between historic rivals France and Germany "not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible." In 1958, the Treaties of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC). The six founding members were:

  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany (West Germany at the time)
  • Italy
  • Luxembourg
  • The Netherlands

The First Enlargements (1970s - 1980s)

The 1970s marked the first expansion beyond the original six. Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined in 1973. Throughout the 1980s, the union looked southward to support emerging democracies following the end of dictatorial regimes. Greece joined in 1981, followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986.

Post-Cold War Expansion (1990s)

Following the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War, the union expanded again in 1995 to include Austria, Finland, and Sweden. This expansion brought in stable, affluent democracies that further strengthened the single market.

The Big Bang Enlargement (2004)

The most significant expansion in EU history occurred on May 1, 2004, often referred to as the "Big Bang." Ten countries joined simultaneously, many of which were former members of the Eastern Bloc. This move was a powerful symbol of the reunification of Europe. The countries included Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Modern Additions (2007 - 2013)

Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007, and the most recent addition to the union was Croatia, which became the 28th member state on July 1, 2013.

Understanding the Impact of Brexit

For several years, the number of EU countries stood at 28. However, this changed following a referendum in the United Kingdom in 2016. On January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the European Union, a process known as Brexit.

Brexit represented a historic moment as it was the first time a member state had voluntarily left the union since its inception. This transition reduced the number of member states back to 27 and fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of Europe. The UK remains a key partner of the EU but no longer participates in EU decision-making, the single market, or the free movement of citizens in the same capacity as a member state.

Important Distinctions: EU vs. Eurozone vs. Schengen Area

One of the most common points of confusion for those researching the European Union is the difference between being an EU member and participating in its specific zones, such as the Eurozone and the Schengen Area. Not every EU country participates in every initiative.

The Eurozone

The Eurozone consists of the EU member states that have adopted the Euro (€) as their official currency. Currently, 20 of the 27 EU countries use the Euro.

  • Member Countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
  • Non-Euro EU Countries: Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden currently maintain their own national currencies. While most of these countries are legally obligated to join the Eurozone once they meet specific economic criteria, Denmark has an "opt-out" clause.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is a zone where internal border controls have been abolished, allowing travelers to move freely between participating countries without passport checks.

  • EU Participants: 25 of the 27 EU members are part of the Schengen Area.
  • Exceptions: Ireland maintains an opt-out to stay in a Common Travel Area with the UK. Cyprus is currently a candidate for joining Schengen.
  • Non-EU Participants: Interestingly, the Schengen Area includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This demonstrates that European integration can extend beyond the formal borders of the Union.

The European Economic Area (EEA)

The EEA includes all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. It allows these three non-EU countries to participate in the EU's single market, meaning they must adopt most EU legislation related to the market but do not have voting rights in EU institutions.

What Does It Take to Join the European Union?

Becoming an EU member is a rigorous, multi-year process. A country cannot simply "sign up"; it must meet a set of conditions known as the Copenhagen Criteria, established in 1993. These criteria ensure that new members are ready to integrate into the union's complex legal and economic framework.

1. Political Criteria

A candidate country must have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and the respect for and protection of minorities.

2. Economic Criteria

The country must have a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces within the EU.

3. Administrative and Institutional Capacity

The candidate must be able to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic, and monetary union. This involves adopting the acquis communautaire—the entire body of EU laws and regulations.

Future Outlook: Who Are the Current Candidate Countries?

While the number of members remains at 27, several nations are in various stages of the application process. The path to membership involves long negotiations where the candidate must prove it has successfully implemented EU standards in 35 different "chapters" or policy areas (e.g., environment, energy, transport).

Current recognized candidates include:

  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Georgia
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine

The accession of new members is a sensitive topic that requires the unanimous approval of all current 27 member states. While there is strong political support for the enlargement toward the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, the timeline for these countries to join remains uncertain and depends heavily on their internal reforms.

How the 27 Countries Govern Together

The EU is neither a federal state like the US nor a simple international organization like the UN. It is a "supranational" entity. This means that for certain matters, such as trade, environment, and competition law, the 27 countries act as one.

The Institutional Triangle

To manage this vast collective, three main institutions work together:

  1. The European Parliament: Represents the citizens of the EU and is directly elected every five years. It has 720 members (as of the 2024 elections).
  2. The Council of the European Union: Represents the governments of the 27 member states. Ministers from each country meet to discuss and adopt laws.
  3. The European Commission: Represents the interests of the EU as a whole. It proposes new laws and ensures that EU treaties are respected. It consists of one Commissioner from each member state.

The Principle of Subsidiarity

To ensure that decisions are made as closely to the citizens as possible, the EU operates on the principle of subsidiarity. This means the EU only acts in areas where collective action is more effective than national or local action. In areas like education, culture, and police work, the 27 individual countries retain most of their control.

Summary of the Current EU Landscape

The European Union stands as a unique achievement in international cooperation. From its humble beginnings as a six-nation coal and steel pact, it has grown into a 27-nation powerhouse that influences global standards in everything from digital privacy (GDPR) to climate policy.

Feature Count
Total EU Member States 27
Founding Members 6
Eurozone Members 20
Schengen Area Members (EU) 25
Total Population ~450 Million
Official Languages 24

While the departure of the United Kingdom marked a period of contraction, the ongoing applications from countries like Ukraine and Moldova suggest that the story of EU enlargement is far from over. The 27 members continue to navigate challenges ranging from economic disparities to security concerns, proving that while the union is complex, its collective weight remains a cornerstone of global stability.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About EU Countries

Is Switzerland in the EU?

No, Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. However, it is part of the Schengen Area and participates in the single market through a series of bilateral agreements.

Is Norway in the EU?

No, Norway is not a member of the EU. It is, however, a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which gives it access to the EU single market while remaining outside the political union.

Which was the last country to join the EU?

Croatia was the last country to join the European Union, officially becoming a member state on July 1, 2013.

Does every EU country use the Euro?

No. Only 20 of the 27 countries currently use the Euro. Countries like Poland, Sweden, and Denmark continue to use their own national currencies.

How does a country leave the EU?

A country can leave the EU by triggering Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This starts a two-year negotiation period to determine the terms of the withdrawal, as seen during the Brexit process.

Is Iceland an EU member?

Iceland is not an EU member. It applied for membership in 2009 but later withdrew its application in 2015, although it remains a member of the EEA and the Schengen Area.

What is the difference between the European Union and the Council of Europe?

These are two completely different organizations. The EU is a political and economic union of 27 countries. The Council of Europe is an international organization focused on human rights with 46 member states, including the UK and Turkey.

Are there any countries that have been members but are no longer?

Only the United Kingdom has left the union (in 2020). Algeria was part of the European Communities as a French colony but left upon gaining independence in 1962. Greenland, a territory of Denmark, left the European Communities in 1985 while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Can a country be kicked out of the EU?

There is no legal mechanism to "expel" a country from the EU. However, Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union allows for the suspension of certain rights (such as voting rights) if a country persistently violates the EU's fundamental values.

Is Ukraine a member of the EU?

Not yet. Ukraine was granted official candidate status in June 2022, but the process of full accession involves meeting strict economic and political standards that usually take many years to achieve.