Negotiations
EU law (the acquis) is split into 35 chapters, grouped into 6 thematic clusters. Chapters 34 and 35 are handled at the very end, outside the clusters. A cluster opens as a whole by unanimity of all 27 member states. Its chapters are then closed one by one, also by unanimity.
Data verified as of 7 Aug 2026
Chapter readiness (EC's latest report):Early stageSomeModerateGoodWell advanced
1FundamentalsOpens first, closes last0 of 5 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 5Public procurementModerateIn negotiation
- 18StatisticsModerateIn negotiation
- 23Judiciary and fundamental rightsModerateIn negotiation
- 24Justice, freedom and securityModerateIn negotiation
- 32Financial controlModerateIn negotiation
2Internal Market0 of 9 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 1Free movement of goodsSomeIn negotiation
- 2Freedom of movement for workersSomeIn negotiation
- 3Right of establishment and freedom to provide servicesModerateIn negotiation
- 4Free movement of capitalModerateIn negotiation
- 6Company lawModerateIn negotiation
- 7Intellectual property lawModerateIn negotiation
- 8Competition policySomeIn negotiation
- 9Financial servicesModerateIn negotiation
- 28Consumer and health protectionEarly stageIn negotiation
3Competitiveness & Inclusive Growth2 of 8 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 10Digital transformation and mediaModerateIn negotiation
- 16TaxationModerateIn negotiation
- 17Economic and monetary policyModerateIn negotiation
- 19Social policy and employmentModerateIn negotiation
- 20Enterprise and industrial policyModerateIn negotiation
- 25Science and researchSomeProvisionally closed
- 26Education and cultureModerateProvisionally closed
- 29Customs unionModerateIn negotiation
4Green Agenda & Sustainable Connectivity0 of 4 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 14Transport policySomeIn negotiation
- 15EnergyGoodIn negotiation
- 21Trans-European networksSomeIn negotiation
- 27Environment and climate changeSomeIn negotiation
5Resources, Agriculture & Cohesion0 of 5 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 11Agriculture and rural developmentSomeIn negotiation
- 12Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policySomeIn negotiation
- 13FisheriesModerateIn negotiation
- 22Regional policy and coordination of structural instrumentsModerateIn negotiation
- 33Financial and budgetary provisionsSomeIn negotiation
6External Relations1 of 2 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 30External relationsGoodProvisionally closed
- 31Foreign, security and defence policyGoodIn negotiation
Outside the clusters (handled last)
- 34InstitutionsNot started
- 35Other issuesNot started
Who supports, who blocks
The political state of play around this accession — where member states and EU institutions stand, each attributed. "Resolved" marks a block that has since been lifted.
- Resolved
Bulgaria (via North Macedonia) — Albania’s progress was held hostage to Bulgaria’s bilateral block on North Macedonia until the two were decoupled in 2022.
- Supportive
EU institutions — Met the Fundamentals interim benchmarks in 2026 with broad member-state support.