List of European Union countries

The "Birthday" of the European Union is considered May 9, 1950. Annually, 9 May is celebrated as Europe Day.

The first agreement establishing the European Economic Community was signed in 1957 between six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Denmark, Ireland and the UK are joined in 1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, in subsequent years many other countries have joined the Union. Today the EU consists of 28 member countries.

It is not only an economic union, but the single market with no borders for trade, with the single euro currency used by 19 member states of the Eurozone. Furthermore, it is the political union with own parliament and other institutions. The Schengen Agreement signed in 1985 allows the free movement of citizens without passport controls at border crossings within Schengen Area.

Alphabetical list of countries of European Union (EU) with the accession dates

Country	EU accession date	Schengen Area member	Eurozone member
A
Austria	January 1, 1995	Yes	Yes
B
Belgium	March 25, 1957	Yes	Yes
Bulgaria	January 1, 2007	No	No
C
Croatia	July 1, 2013	No	No
Cyprus	May 1, 2004	No	Yes
Czech Republic	May 1, 2004	Yes	No
D
Denmark	January 1, 1973	Yes	No
E
Estonia	May 1, 2004	Yes	Yes
F
Finland	January 1, 1995	Yes	Yes
France	March 25, 1957	Yes	Yes
G
Germany	March 25, 1957	Yes	Yes
Greece	January 1, 1981	Yes	Yes
H
Hungary	May 1, 2004	Yes	No
I
Ireland	January 1, 1973	No	Yes
Italy	March 25, 1957	Yes	Yes
L
Latvia	May 1, 2004	Yes	Yes
Lithuania	May 1, 2004	Yes	Yes
Luxembourg	March 25, 1957	Yes	Yes
M
Malta	May 1, 2004	Yes	Yes
N
Netherlands	March 25, 1957	Yes	Yes
P
Poland	May 1, 2004	Yes	No
Portugal	January 1, 1986	Yes	Yes
R
Romania	January 1, 2007	No	No
S
Slovakia	May 1, 2004	Yes	Yes
Slovenia	May 1, 2004	Yes	Yes
Spain	January 1, 1986	Yes	Yes
Sweden	January 1, 1995	Yes	No
U
United Kingdom	January 1, 1973	No	No

List of European Union countries