Member states of the European Union

(Photo: EUobserver.com)

Member states of the European Union

Since 1 July 2013, the EU consists of 28 member states.

The EU has to respect the national identities of its members. The member states must respect the EU's decisions and are bound by a principle of loyalty. Conflicts between the EU and its member states are settled by the Union's authorities - among these the EU Court.

The Lisbon Treaty allow member states to withdraw from the EU with two years' notice. New member states may be introduced by unanimity among the existing member states and approval by the European Parliament.

Here yoy can see when the EU was enlarged: 

West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg 

1952 

 

Denmark, Ireland and the UK 

1973 

 

Greece 

1981 

 

Spain and Portugal 

1986 

 

Austria, Finland and Sweden 

1995 

 

Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia 

2004 

 

Romania and Bulgaria 

2007 

 

Croatia 

2013

 

Links

See also Applicant countries.

Links to the governmental websites of the Member States: