The European Union (EU) - TX
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of European countries that have chosen to integrate certain aspects of their national policies. Founded with the aim of ensuring peace, stability, and economic prosperity in post-war Europe, the EU has evolved into a unique supranational organization. It facilitates cooperation across member states in areas such as trade, agriculture, environmental protection, security, and human rights.
The EU operates through a system of intergovernmental decision-making and supranational institutions, including the European Commission, European Parliament, and the European Council. It also maintains a single market allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
The euro is the official currency of most EU countries. Over time, the EU has expanded to include countries from Central and Eastern Europe, although some countries have opted out or left, such as the United Kingdom. The EU continues to play a crucial role in global diplomacy, trade, and environmental initiatives, and it is considered one of the most advanced models of regional integration in the world.
EU Member States
The EU currently has 27 member states. These countries have agreed to shared policies and legislation that facilitate deeper integration. Below is a list of all countries that have ever been members of the EU, including their entry and, where applicable, exit dates.
| Country | Member Since | Member Until | ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 | ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 | ISO 3166-1 numeric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1995-01-01 | – | AT | AUT | 040 |
| Belgium | 1958-01-01 | – | BE | BEL | 056 |
| Bulgaria | 2007-01-01 | – | BG | BGR | 100 |
| Croatia | 2013-07-01 | – | HR | HRV | 191 |
| Cyprus | 2004-05-01 | – | CY | CYP | 196 |
| Czech Republic | 2004-05-01 | – | CZ | CZE | 203 |
| Denmark | 1973-01-01 | – | DK | DNK | 208 |
| Estonia | 2004-05-01 | – | EE | EST | 233 |
| Finland | 1995-01-01 | – | FI | FIN | 246 |
| France | 1958-01-01 | – | FR | FRA | 250 |
| Germany | 1958-01-01 | – | DE | DEU | 276 |
| Greece | 1981-01-01 | – | GR | GRC | 300 |
| Hungary | 2004-05-01 | – | HU | HUN | 348 |
| Ireland | 1973-01-01 | – | IE | IRL | 372 |
| Italy | 1958-01-01 | – | IT | ITA | 380 |
| Latvia | 2004-05-01 | – | LV | LVA | 428 |
| Lithuania | 2004-05-01 | – | LT | LTU | 440 |
| Luxembourg | 1958-01-01 | – | LU | LUX | 442 |
| Malta | 2004-05-01 | – | MT | MLT | 470 |
| Netherlands | 1958-01-01 | – | NL | NLD | 528 |
| Poland | 2004-05-01 | – | PL | POL | 616 |
| Portugal | 1986-01-01 | – | PT | PRT | 620 |
| Romania | 2007-01-01 | – | RO | ROU | 642 |
| Slovakia | 2004-05-01 | – | SK | SVK | 703 |
| Slovenia | 2004-05-01 | – | SI | SVN | 705 |
| Spain | 1986-01-01 | – | ES | ESP | 724 |
| Sweden | 1995-01-01 | – | SE | SWE | 752 |
| United Kingdom | 1973-01-01 | 2020-01-31 | GB | GBR | 826 |
- Candidate Member States of the European Union
The European Union has established a structured accession process for countries aspiring to join the union. These nations are known as **candidate countries** and must meet specific political and economic criteria, known as the *Copenhagen Criteria*, before becoming full members. These include stable democratic institutions, a functioning market economy, and the acceptance of EU laws and regulations. Candidate status is not a guarantee of future membership, but it marks the beginning of formal negotiations and support programs such as the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). As of 2025, the following countries are officially recognized as candidate countries for EU membership:
- **Albania** - **Bosnia and Herzegovina** - **Georgia** - **Moldova** - **Montenegro** - **North Macedonia** - **Serbia** - **Turkey** - **Ukraine**
Negotiation progress varies significantly among these countries. For instance, **Turkey** has been a candidate since 1999 but faces stalled talks due to political concerns, while **Ukraine**, **Moldova**, and **Georgia** gained candidate status more recently, accelerated by geopolitical developments such as the war in Ukraine. The EU continues to support these countries through reforms and institution-building as they move toward potential membership.
