No less than ten countries are candidates for EU membership
Internal AffairsEuropean Union
- Omissions
- The European Commission officially recognizes 9 candidate countries (not 10) as of early 2026
- Türkiye's candidate status exists but negotiations have been frozen since 2018
- Kosovo is considered a 'potential candidate' rather than an official candidate country
- The EP Think Tank article from March 2026 confirms 9 candidates, though some sources include Türkiye to reach 10
- Sources
- PrimaryEuropean Commission - Enlargement Package 2025Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Türkiye and Georgia continue on their EU path
- SecondaryEP Think Tank - European ParliamentAs of early 2026, there are nine candidate countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Türkiye (candidate with frozen negotiations)
- TertiaryWikipedia - Potential enlargement of the European UnionThere are currently nine states recognised as candidates for membership of the European Union