The European Union is a supranational political and economic union of 27 countries in the continent of Europe. As per IMF projections for 2026, with a combined GDP of $22.52 billion, it is the second largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP at current prices.
The foundation of the European Union was set in 1952, following the Treaty of Paris. The treaty was signed by six nations.
In this article, we will look at the list of 27 EU countries and the year each of them joined the European Union.
European Union - Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Name | European Union |
| Established in the year | 1952 |
| Total Member Countries | 27 |
| GDP | $22.52 billion ( in 2026) |
How Many Countries Are In the European Union?
The European Union consists of 27 countries, with the six founding countries joining the coalition in 1952, followed by the joining of Croatia in 2013.
List of EU Countries
The following is a list of EU countries as per the latest update in 2026.
| Country | Year of Joining the EU |
| Netherlands | 1952 |
| Luxembourg | 1952 |
| Italy | 1952 |
| France | 1952 |
| Germany | 1952 |
| Belgium | 1952 |
| United Kingdom* | 1973 |
| Ireland | 1973 |
| Denmark | 1973 |
| Greece | 1981 |
| Spain | 1986 |
| Portugal | 1986 |
| Sweden | 1995 |
| Finland | 1995 |
| Austria | 1995 |
| Cyprus | 2004 |
| Czechia | 2004 |
| Estonia | 2004 |
| Hungary | 2004 |
| Lithuania | 2004 |
| Latvia | 2004 |
| Malta | 2004 |
| Poland | 2004 |
| Slovenia | 2004 |
| Slovakia | 2004 |
| Bulgaria | 2007 |
| Romania | 2007 |
| Croatia | 2013 |
Source: European Union Official Website
European Union Map
The following is the map of the European Union
Source: EC GISCO
Which countries are the Founding Members of the European Union?
The founding members of the European Union are Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany (erstwhile). The foundations of the European Union were established in 1952, after the Treaty of Rome came into effect.
What is the Maastricht Treaty?
The Maastricht Treaty is the foundation of the European Union, along with citizenship. It concluded in 1992 and was signed by 12 member states of the European Union at that time.
Who is the Youngest Member of the European Union?
Croatia is the youngest member of the European Union; it joined the European Union in 2013.
Which Country left the European Union?
The United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020, in what was termed Brexit.
What is the Official Currency of the European Union?
The official currency of the European Union is the Euro. It is used as the default currency in 21 member countries of the European Union.
This was all about the European Union countries list. Keep reading for more such interesting articles.
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