Three Nordic cross flags
Denmark, Finland and Sweden each fly a Nordic cross flag. All three belong to the EU.
Flags of EU member countries
The European Union has 27 member countries. Six founded the European Economic Community in 1958, and seven rounds of enlargement followed. Explore their flags and accession history.
- Member countries
- 27
- Founding EEC countries
- 6
- Enlargements
- 7
Flag collage
EU countries
27 / 27
History of EU membership
1958(6)
Joined: 6 · Left: 0 · Member countries: 6
- Belgium· Founding EEC country
- France· Founding EEC country
- Germany· Founding EEC country
- Italy· Founding EEC country
- Luxembourg· Founding EEC country
- Netherlands· Founding EEC country
1973(3)
Joined: 3 · Left: 0 · Member countries: 9
1981(1)
Joined: 1 · Left: 0 · Member countries: 10
1986(2)
1995(3)
2004(10)
2007(2)
2013(1)
Joined: 1 · Left: 0 · Member countries: 28
2020
Joined: 0 · Left: 1 · Member countries: 27
- Left: United Kingdom ·
Interesting connections between the flags
The Baltic countries in 2004
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the EU on the same day, 1 May 2004.
The original six
The flags of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands represent the six founding EEC countries.
The newest member
Croatia joined the EU on 1 July 2013 and remains its most recent member.
From the European Communities to the EU
The Treaties of Rome
Six founding countries signed the Treaties of Rome in 1957. The European Economic Community began on 1 January 1958.
The European Union takes shape
The Maastricht Treaty entered into force on 1 November 1993. Earlier accessions were to the European Communities.
The 2004 enlargement
Ten countries joined on 1 May 2004, the largest single enlargement by number of countries.
The United Kingdom and Brexit
The United Kingdom joined the European Communities in 1973 and left the EU on 31 January 2020. The timeline also shows the United Kingdom’s accession and departure, and how membership changed.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries are in the EU?
The European Union has 27 member countries.
Which were the six founding countries?
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands founded the European Economic Community.
When did Finland join the EU?
Finland joined on 1 January 1995, together with Austria and Sweden.
What was the largest EU enlargement?
Ten countries joined in 2004.
Which country joined most recently?
Croatia joined on 1 July 2013.
Do the 12 stars on the EU flag represent member countries?
No. The 12 stars stand for ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony; their number does not change with EU membership.