Steps to EU membership for Ukraine

Following the decision to grant “candidate status”, Ukraine’s application to join the European Union begins a years-long process that must receive the unanimous approval of member states


Countries on EU membership path

Eastern Partnership* 
Potential Candidate 
Candidate Status

*Helped to adopt democratic and legal reforms


1 Application
Any European state which respects fundamental rights of EU can apply. Must meet Copenhagen Criteria:
Functioning market economy
Stable democracy and institutions
Rule of law, respect for human rights


IRL
POR
ESP
NED
BEL
LUX
FRA
DEN
GER
ITA
MAL
SWE
FIN
EST 
LAT
LTU 
POL
CZE
SVK
AUT
HUN
SLO 
CRO
UKRAINE
ROM 
BUL
GRE
CYP

Bosnia 
Montenegro 
Albania
Moldova
Serbia
Turkiye (halted)
North Macedonia 
Kosovo
Georgia


2 Pre-accession: Programme of judicial, economic, administrative reforms to meet EU regulations

3 Accession negotiations: Adoption of EU law into national law, preparations to join Euro

4 Treaty and ratification: Negotiations on 35 chapters of accession treaty must be unanimously approved by member states – some countries will require referendum


Sources: European Union, Schengen Visa Info, Reuters 
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