The EU will continue to grow as an increasing number of countries express interest in membership. These countries can be divided into candidate countries and potential candidate countries. The former are in the process of 'transposing' (or integrating) EU legislation into national law, while potential candidate countries do not yet fulfill the requirements for EU membership.
Acceding country
Croatia
Capital city: Zagreb
Total area: 56 542 km²
Population: 4.4 million
Currency: kuna (kn)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about CroatiaCandidate countries
Iceland
Capital city: Reykjavik
Total area: 103 000 km²
Population: 0.3 million
Currency: Icelandic króna (kr)
Schengen area: Member of the Schengen area since 1996
Read more about Iceland
Montenegro
Capital city: Podgorica
Total area: 14 026 km²
Population: 0.6 million
Currency: euro (€)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about Montenegro
Serbia
Capital city: Belgrade
Total area: 77 474 km²
Population: 7.4 million
Currency: Serbian dinar (РСД)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about Serbia
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Capital city: Skopje
Political system: Republic
Total area: 25 433 km²
Population: 2.05 million
Currency: denar
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
Capital city: Ankara
Total area: 780 580 km²
Population: 71.5 million
Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about TurkeyPotential candidates
Albania
Capital city: Tirana
Total area: 28 748 km²
Population: 3.6 million
Currency: lek (L)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Capital city: Sarajevo
Total area: 51 209 km²
Population: 4.6 million
Currency: Bosnian convertible mark (KM)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about Bosnia and HerzegovinaKosovo*
Capital city: Pristina
Total area: 10 887 km²
Population: 1.7 million
Currency: euro (€)
Schengen area: Not a member of Schengen
Read more about Kosovo** This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence