EU welcomes 28th member state - Croatia

Croatia is the first Western Balkans country to join the European Union. Its accession on 1 July 2013 is the result of a decade-long negotiation process.

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Since the formal application for EU membership in 2003, Croatia has invested considerable effort and fulfilled all the accession criteria needed to bring it into line with EU laws and standards. Tangible progress has been achieved in areas such us the rule of law, the fight against corruption, human rights and protection of minorities.

"Aside from the clear benefits to itself and the EU, Croatia’s accession demonstrates that, when conditions are met, the EU delivers on its commitments in this regard. Noting Croatia’s commitment that bilateral issues should not obstruct the accession process, the Council looks forward to Croatia continuing to play an active and positive role in regional cooperation in the Western Balkans."

Council conclusions on Croatia, April 2013

• Croatia in the EU, growing together
• Read more about the conditions for EU membership
• Read more about EU enlargement policy

Croatia in the Council

Voting system

From 1 July 2013, at least 260 votes out of a total of 352 by at least 15 member states are required for legislation to be adopted by qualified majority. Croatia has 7 votes (the same as Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland).

Official languages

On accession day, Croatian becomes the 24th official language of the European Union, equal in legal and political status to all other official languages of the EU. All EU legislation is now being drawn up in Croatian.

• Read more about changes within the Council related to the accession of Croatia
• Documents related to Croatia's accession process

Timeline - Croatia's path towards EU membership

• 1 July 2013: Croatia joins the EU
• June 2013: end of the ratification process - Croatia's Accession Treaty ratified by all EU member states
• 26 March 2013: Commission publishes its last monitoring report on Croatia's accession preparations
• 22 January 2012: EU accession referendum in Croatia. 2/3 of voters in favour
• 9 December 2011: Croatia and the EU sign the Accession Treaty
• 5 December 2011: Council adopts its decision on the admission of Croatia to the EU
• 30 June 2011: all 35 negotiation chapters are closed successfully
• 3 October 2005: Council decides to open accession negotiations with Croatia
• 17-18 June 2004: European Council confirms Croatia as candidate country
• 21 February 2003: Croatia applies for EU membership
• 29 October 2001: Croatia signs Stabilisation and Association Agreement

Croatia - facts and figures

Full name: Republic of Croatia
Population: 4.3 million
Capital city: Zagreb
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
Total area: 56 594 km²
Official language: Croatian/hrvatski
Currency: kuna (HRK)

• Read more about Croatia and the EU
• Government of the Republic of Croatia
• Croatian Parliament
• Office of the President of Croatia
• www.croatia.eu