Membership Criteria
The Copenhagen Criteria
Back in ’93, the European Council had a meeting in Copenhagen, named it the Copenhagen Criteria, and laid out what countries have to check off their list if they want to join the European Union (EU). According to the European Commission, here’s what needs covering:
1. Political Criteria
- Stable institutions that cherish democracy
- Rule of law is a must
- Upholding human rights
- Got to be big on respecting and protecting minorities
2. Economic Criteria
- A market economy that hums along nicely
- Can you handle the push and pull of the EU’s market pressures?
3. Legislative and Administrative Criteria
- Up for adopting the EU’s rules? You’ve got to play nice with the political, economic, and monetary union’s goals
These criteria shape up the newbies so they can jump into the EU’s scene and thrive together. The idea’s to keep Europe on the up and up, stability and prosperity-wise.
Summary of Copenhagen Criteria
| Criteria Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Political Criteria | Democracy, rule of law, human rights, minority protection |
| Economic Criteria | Working market economy, handling EU market demands |
| Legislative & Administrative | Adopt and roll with EU laws and principles |
Ever since Greece, Spain, and Portugal donned the EU badge, the Copenhagen Criteria have been the guardrails, welcoming Eastern Europe countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia to the gang.
Not only do these standards set the bar high for folks wanting in, but they also keep current members on their toes about upholding these basic beliefs. If you want to geek out on the history of how EU membership has grown and changed, check out our section on Enlargements Through History.
Oh, and if you’re all about collecting lists, we’ve got guides waiting for you on all things European: Here’s the list of european countries, the list of countries in europe, and the definitive list of schengen countries.
Evolution of EU Membership
The European Union (EU) has been through quite a journey since it started, morphing in size, reach, and the part it plays on the world stage. Started by the gang of six founding members, it’s now a sprawling family with 27 countries. And it’s not just a group of friendly neighbors sharing recipes; it’s a tight-knit political and economic club making waves.
Enlargements Through History
Looking back, the EU’s growth shows it’s all about buddies coming together and lending a hand across Europe. Adding a new country to the mix isn’t just waving a magic wand – they’ve got to check off a bunch of boxes called the Copenhagen Criteria, penned down back in 1993.
| Year | New Members | What Went Down |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands | The big sign-in bash, aka the Treaty of Rome |
| 1973 | Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom | Opened doors for the first new guests |
| 1981 | Greece | Joined after getting democracy back on track in 1974 |
| 1986 | Portugal, Spain | Hopped onboard after shaking off shadier pasts |
| 1995 | Austria, Finland, Sweden | Rolled through post-Cold War |
| 2004 | Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia | When guests really flooded in |
| 2007 | Bulgaria, Romania | Bridging the southeast gap |
| 2013 | Croatia | The newest kid on the block |
The OG members, who once called themselves the European Economic Community (EEC), include Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. These founding nations didn’t go through the rigorous membership tests later countries did; they kick-started it all with the Treaty of Rome in 1957, getting the trade ball rolling.
By 1973, the EU turned heads with Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom signing up. Greece swung in by 1981, after getting its democratic shoes back on. Not long after, Spain and Portugal ditched their past shadows and joined in 1986.
The Cold War’s end made more room at the table, welcoming Austria, Finland, and Sweden in 1995, marking a cozy Western European expansion (European Union).
In 2004, the EU broke records with a bumper crop of new members – ten in one go: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia (European Union). This wasn’t just a growth spurt; it switched things up big time, rolling out the welcome mat for many Central and Eastern European countries.
Down south, Bulgaria and Romania were added in 2007, putting more dots on the EU map in Southeastern Europe. Finally, Croatia joined in 2013 after a long engagement, ten years after popping the question (Pew Research Center).
If you’re curious about how the club looks now – with who’s trading in Euros and all the cheeky developments like Britain’s grand exit – check out our insights on countries using the Euro and see the latest list of Schengen countries.
Recent Enlargements
Croatia’s Accession
So, Croatia stepped into the EU spotlight on July 1, 2013, snagging the spot as the 28th member (European Union). Hot on Slovenia’s heels, it became the second leg of the Yugoslav relay to join. This was a big thumbs-up for the Western Balkans, hinting at a future with closer ties to Europe (European Commission – Enlargement).
| Country | Date of Accession |
|---|---|
| Croatia | July 1, 2013 |
Keen on more EU history? Check out our bit on enlargements through history.
Bulgaria and Romania’s Membership
Bulgaria and Romania hopped onto the EU train on January 1, 2007, stretching the Union’s reach into Eastern Europe (European Union). Since then, they’ve been working on getting their ducks in a row with EU rules and standards.
| Country | Date of Accession |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | January 1, 2007 |
| Romania | January 1, 2007 |
This eastward leap was a big deal for the EU’s evolution. Curious about how money talks in the EU? Peek at our page on countries using the Euro.
These recent expansions show the EU’s game plan to bring Europe’s patchwork of nations into one big happy family. It’s all about building bridges for trade and keeping things stable. For a peek into the EU’s growth journey, swing by Enlargements Through History.
Largest Enlargement
On May 1, 2004, the European Union threw open its doors to ten new countries. It was the EU’s biggest neighborhood party ever, bringing more chairs to the table and growing its gang across Europe.
Ten New Countries’ Joining
Back in 2004, the EU made history by adding ten newbies at once, both in countries and in people count. The lineup included:
| Country | Where They Hang Out |
|---|---|
| Cyprus | Southern Europe |
| Czech Republic | Central Europe |
| Estonia | One of the Baltic Three |
| Hungary | Central Europe |
| Latvia | One of the Baltic Three |
| Lithuania | One of the Baltic Three |
| Malta | Southern Europe |
| Poland | Central Europe |
| Slovakia | Central Europe |
| Slovenia | Central Europe |
Why was this a big deal? Well, it took the EU’s roster from 15 to 25, jazzing up the crew with a mix of cultures, economies, and politics. Each of these countries brought their own flavor, frosting the EU cake with diversity.
For the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—and Central Europe’s Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia, it was a fresh start. They waved goodbye to communism, tipped their hats to market economies, and embraced democracy. Malta and Cyprus added their own southern charm and strategic flair to the mix.
Joining the EU wasn’t a walk in the park, though. These nations had been prepping since the early ’90s with special treaties, known as Europe Agreements, paving their path to membership.
This expansion didn’t just rearrange the European puzzle. It put new pieces in place for more teamwork and harmony among countries. A bold move that showed the EU’s game was all about unity and growth. Wanna know more about who’s who in the EU? Check out our list of countries in Europe or get lost in the list of Schengen countries.
Successive EU Joinings
Austria, Finland, and Sweden
In a strategic move to broaden its influence, Austria, Finland, and Sweden hopped on the European Union bandwagon in 1995. This decision brought 15 stars to the EU’s flag and played a key role in stitching together western Europe’s diverse economic and political tapestry, giving a thumbs-up to cooperation and stability.
| Country | Year of Accession | Former International Affiliations |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1995 | EFTA, EEA |
| Finland | 1995 | EFTA, EEA |
| Sweden | 1995 | EFTA, EEA |
These country’s decision to join spotlighted the EU’s readiness to unite places with different backstories and levels of economic oomph, making the union even more capable and wide-reaching.
Denmark, Ireland, and United Kingdom
Rewinding to 1973, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined the European Union, cranking up the total count to nine. This was no minor footnote—it was the first big step forward since the EU’s early days.
| Country | Year of Accession | Eurozone Member |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 1973 | No |
| Ireland | 1973 | Yes |
| United Kingdom* | 1973 | No |
*Note: The United Kingdom parted ways with the EU in 2020, a move we all know as Brexit (European Commission – Neighbourhood & Enlargement).
The arrival of these countries was critical for boosting economic teamwork and weaving new political bonds. Each has left its mark, shaping the EU into what it is today.
For more about how these countries fit into the global jigsaw, dive into our lists like the list of Schengen countries and other regional peeks such as the list of countries in Europe and the list of countries by human development index.
Present EU Scene
UK Bids Farewell
The United Kingdom waved goodbye to the European Union on January 31, 2020 (European Union). This major move, fondly or not so fondly known as “Brexit,” shrunk the EU family from 28 to 27 members. The exit brewed up a storm of economic and political changes, affecting both the UK and its EU neighbors. Curious about Brexit’s ripple effects? Check out our list of countries in Great Britain for more scoop.
| UK Exit Events | Date |
|---|---|
| Referendum Happened | June 23, 2016 |
| Official Exit | January 31, 2020 |
Euro-Adopting Nations
Out of the 27 EU member states, 20 have embraced the euro as their currency (European Union). These countries make up the Eurozone and dance to the EU’s economic and monetary beat. With one currency, wheelin’ and dealin’ across borders gets easier, making for a more stable economy and tighter economic ties among these nations.
| Eurozone Members | Year of Euro Adoption |
|---|---|
| Austria | 1999 |
| Belgium | 1999 |
| Cyprus | 2008 |
| Estonia | 2011 |
| Finland | 1999 |
| France | 1999 |
| Germany | 1999 |
| Greece | 2001 |
| Ireland | 1999 |
| Italy | 1999 |
| Latvia | 2014 |
| Lithuania | 2015 |
| Luxembourg | 1999 |
| Malta | 2008 |
| Netherlands | 1999 |
| Portugal | 1999 |
| Slovakia | 2009 |
| Slovenia | 2007 |
| Spain | 1999 |
Want to know who’s holding on to their own dough and not using the euro? Peek at our list of European countries.
With the UK parting ways and most countries hopping on the euro train, the European Union proves it can change its stripes. Whether you’re planning a getaway, sealing a business deal, or just geeking out on global matters, getting the lay of the EU land is always a smart move. Curious about visa stuff for UK visits? Our list of countries no visa required to access UK has the details.
Schengen Area and Language Diversity
Passport-Free Travel
The Schengen area, kicked off in 1985, lets folks hop around between countries without needing a passport, making jaunts across Europe a breeze.
| Schengen Area Members | Total Number |
|---|---|
| EU Schengen Area Countries | 25 |
| Non-EU Schengen Area Countries | 4 |
| Total Schengen Area Countries | 29 |
Among the EU’s 27 member states, only Cyprus and Ireland haven’t jumped on the Schengen train. But don’t worry, the club still includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, even though they’re not in the EU (Netherlands Worldwide).
Being part of the Schengen means kissing goodbye to passport checks at shared borders, making it much easier to gallivant from one nation to the next without visas or tedious border checks. For a handy rundown of Schengen countries, stroll over to our list of Schengen countries.
Multilingual Approach
The European Union loves its languages and works hard to keep all its member states in the loop by promoting multilingualism. This love means that every country holds onto its own language, with all the essential EU documents and info available in every official language spoken across the nations (European Union).
| Language Diversity | Number of Languages |
|---|---|
| Official EU languages | 24 |
The EU’s passion for is shown in its commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity, ensuring critical communication is available in everyone’s native lingo. This policy helps with effective governance and keeps all the member states feeling united. Want to dig deeper into countries and their languages? Check out our article on the list of french speaking countries.
With this thoughtful approach to travel and language, the EU makes it a cinch for folks to soak up different cultures and boosts collaboration among its members. For even more lists and insights, wander over to our articles on the list of european countries and list of mediterranean countries.
European Union Anthems and Organizations
The European Union (EU) is all about getting along and working together among its countries. This is highlighted by its anthem and through different groups that boost economic teamwork.
Anthem Selection
The European Union’s anthem stands out as a key symbol of the member countries pitching in together. It kicks off with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from his Ninth Symphony. The reason they picked this tune is its message of peace and brotherhood. Those same vibes are what the EU is all about.
Back in 1972, it all began when the Council of Europe decided Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” would be its anthem. Fast forward to 1985, and the European Union jumped on board with it too. Even though there’s no singing, the tune is a familiar theme that folks all over recognize. It reflects the common goals and dreams of EU nations.
Economic Cooperation Importance
When it comes to working together on economic stuff, the European Union is big on it. Formed after the Second World War, the EU was all about building both economic and political connections to keep peace and steadiness in the neighborhood.
Did you know the EU takes the cake for about one-sixth of the world’s nominal GDP, totaling roughly US$16.6 trillion in 2022 (Wikipedia)? Member countries work hand in hand on policies like trade, agriculture, fisheries, and even regional growth.
Here’s a little glance at some key figures:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Member States | 27 |
| Total Population | Over 449 million |
| Global Nominal GDP (2022) | US$16.6 trillion |
| Share of World Population | 5.8% |
Economic teamwork in the EU shows itself through several organizations and agreements. Some familiar names include the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). These groups roll up their sleeves to keep things financially steady, back investment ventures, and tackle financial hiccups within the EU.
Getting the gist of the EU’s anthem and its economic interconnections can give you a better feel for the values and setup of this distinct union. Curious to know all the countries that make up the EU? Check out our list of EU countries.