Countries in the European Union

There has always been confusion as to how many countries are there in Europe. But this confusion has grown even more in the past couple of years, especially after Brexit. If you also have no idea about the countries in Europe, then worry not. We’ve got you covered. 

But before talking about the countries in EU, it is essential to know what is European Union or EU is.

What is European Union?

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union founded on November 1, 1993, in Maastricht, Netherlands. It consists of 27 member states and operates a single market that allows free movement of goods, capital, services, and people between member states. The European Union countries are subjected to the obligations and the privileges of the membership. Even before the formation of the European Union, European countries like Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands started to cooperate economically in 1951. 

Currently, the Union consists of 27 EU countries. The United Kingdom is no more part of the EU as it withdrew from the European Union on January 31, 2020. 

Every member state is part of the founding treaties of the Union and is subjected to binding laws within the common legislative and judicial institutions. For the EU to adopt defense and foreign affairs policies, all member states must agree unanimously.

Process of Becoming EU Member

Becoming an EU member is a complex procedure. Once an applying country meets the conditions for membership, it needs to implement EU rules and regulations in all areas. A country wishing to join the EU must submit a membership application to the Council. Any country that satisfies the conditions for membership called ‘Copenhagen criteria’ can apply. Some of the conditions that countries need to meet include:

• Having a Free-market economy
• Must have a stable democracy 
• The country must accept all EU legislation, including the Euro

List of EU Countries

1. Austria: Austria has been an EU member since January 1, 1995. It is 1.7% of the total EU population and holds 18 seats in the European Parliament. 

2. Bulgaria: A member country of the EU since January 1, 2007, Bulgaria comprises 1.4% of the total EU population and holds 17 seats in the European Parliament.

3. Belgium: Belgium has been a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958. Belgians make up 2.2% of the total EU population, and Belgium holds 21 seats in the European Parliament.

4. Cyprus: An EU member since May 1, 2004, Cyprus comprises 0.2% of the total EU population and holds 6 seats in the European Parliament.

5. Croatia: Croatia became an EU member country on July 1, 2013. The country comprises 0.8% of the total EU population and holds 11 seats in the European Parliament. 

6. Czech Republic: It has been a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004. Czechs hold 21 seats in the European Parliament.

7. Denmark: Denmark became part of the EU on January 1, 1973. The Danish comprise 1.1% of the total EU population, and they hold 13 seats in the European Parliament.

8. Estonia: It is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004. Estonia is home to 0.3% of the total EU population. It holds 6 seats in the European Parliament.

9. France: France has been an influential member of the EU. It became part of the EU on January 1, 1958. It holds 74 seats in the European Parliament.

10. Finland: A member country of the EU since January 1, 1995, Finland is home to 1.1% of the total EU population. Finland holds 13 seats in European Parliament.

11. Germany: Germany has been an EU member country since January 1, 1958. The Germans are 16% of the total EU population. Germany’s currency is Euro (€), and it holds 96 seats in the European Parliament.

12. Greece: Greece has been a member country of the EU since January 1, 1981, and it makes up 2.1% of the total EU population.

13. Hungary: On May 1, 2004, Hungary became a member country of the EU. Hungarians comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. Hungary holds 21 seats in the European Parliament.

14. Italy: Italy comprises 12% of the total EU population and has been a member country since January 1, 1958. It holds 73 seats in the European Parliament.

15. Ireland: Ireland holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and has been an EU member since January 1, 1973. It held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1975 and 2013.

16. Latvia: Latvia became a member of the EU on May 1, 2004. Latvians comprise 0.4% of the total EU population. Latvia holds 8 seats in the European Parliament, and it held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2015.

17. Lithuania: A member country of the EU since May 1, 2004, Lithuania is home to 0.6% of the total EU population. It has 11 seats in the European Parliament.

18. Luxembourg: Luxembourg has been an EU member since January 1, 1958. Only 0.1% of the total EU population resides in Luxembourg. Despite being a small country, it holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1960 and 2015.

19. Malta: Malta holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and has been a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004. Just like Luxembourg, only 0.1% of the total EU population resides here. 

20. Netherlands: The Netherlands has been a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958. It makes up 3.3% of the total EU population and holds 26 seats in the European Parliament.

21. Portugal: Portugal has been a member of the EU since January 1, 1986. The Portuguese comprise 2% of the total EU population, and they hold 21 seats in the European Parliament.

22. Poland: Poland became a member country of the EU on May 1, 2004. The People of Poland comprise 7.5% of the total EU population. Poland holds 51 seats in the European Parliament.

23. Romania: Romania is a member country of the EU since January 1, 2007, and it holds 32 seats in the European Parliament. The Romanians comprise 3.9% of the total EU population. 

24. Slovakia: Slovakia has been a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004, and it holds 13 seats in the European Parliament. 

25. Slovenia: Since May 1, 2004, Slovenia has been a member country of the EU, and it holds 8 seats in the European Parliament. The Slovenians comprise 0.4% of the total EU population. 

26. Spain: Spain has been a member of the EU since January 1, 1986. It holds 54 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 4 times. 

27. Sweden: An EU member since January 1, 1995, Sweden holds 20 seats in the European Parliament. The Swedes comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. 

How Many European Union Countries Are Using Euro?

19 out of 27 EU countries use Euro (€) as their official currency. These countries are collectively known as the Eurozone, and they consist of:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Malta
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• the Netherlands
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Italy

Is the UK Part of the EU?

To answer in simpler words, the UK is no more part of the EU. Earlier it was one of the EU members, but in 2016 it voted to leave the EU. The UK finally left the EU on January 31, 2020. So far, the United Kingdom is the first and only country to have left the EU, after 47 years of being a member state of the European Union and its predecessor, the European Communities (EC), since January 1, 1973.