There are ten states on the EU accession waiting list.

Omissions

• The MEP did not distinguish between the nine official candidate countries and Kosovo as a potential candidate, but the broader phrase 'waiting list' reasonably encompasses both categories, consistent with the EU's own terminology of 'aspiring members'.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Union official website – EU enlargementFurther enlargement of the EU is possible, as ten aspiring members are currently involved in the accession process.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission – EnlargementTen aspiring members are currently involved in the accession process.
• SecondaryEpthinktank – European ParliamentAs of early 2026, there are nine candidate countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine, plus Kosovo as a potential candidate.