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 15 Jun 2026
Chapter readiness (EC's latest report):Early stageSomeModerateGoodWell advanced
1FundamentalsOpens first, closes last0 of 5 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 5Public procurementSomeIn negotiation
- 18StatisticsSomeIn negotiation
- 23Judiciary and fundamental rightsSomeIn negotiation
- 24Justice, freedom and securitySomeIn negotiation
- 32Financial controlSomeIn negotiation
2Internal Market0 of 9 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 1Free movement of goodsModerateNot started
- 2Freedom of movement for workersSomeNot started
- 3Right of establishment and freedom to provide servicesSomeNot started
- 4Free movement of capitalModerateNot started
- 6Company lawSomeNot started
- 7Intellectual property lawModerateNot started
- 8Competition policySomeNot started
- 9Financial servicesSomeNot started
- 28Consumer and health protectionSomeNot started
3Competitiveness & Inclusive Growth0 of 8 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 10Digital transformation and mediaSomeNot started
- 16TaxationSomeNot started
- 17Economic and monetary policySomeNot started
- 19Social policy and employmentSomeNot started
- 20Enterprise and industrial policySomeNot started
- 25Science and researchModerateNot started
- 26Education and cultureModerateNot started
- 29Customs unionGoodNot started
4Green Agenda & Sustainable Connectivity0 of 4 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 14Transport policySomeNot started
- 15EnergyModerateNot started
- 21Trans-European networksSomeNot started
- 27Environment and climate changeEarly stageNot started
5Resources, Agriculture & Cohesion0 of 5 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 11Agriculture and rural developmentEarly stageNot started
- 12Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policyModerateNot started
- 13FisheriesModerateNot started
- 22Regional policy and coordination of structural instrumentsModerateNot started
- 33Financial and budgetary provisionsEarly stageNot started
6External Relations0 of 2 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 30External relationsModerateNot started
- 31Foreign, security and defence policyGoodNot started
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.
- Supportive
EU institutions — Strong support; the process has advanced in a package alongside Ukraine.
- Resolved
Hungary — Hungary’s reservations on the Ukraine package briefly held the joint process; the block was lifted in June 2026, opening Cluster 1.
Reforms tracker· 2
What sets the pace is what the country itself must deliver under Fundamentals: a lasting record on rule of law and anti-corruption. The public can watch this directly.
- Opening benchmarkMet
Rule-of-law and anti-corruption foundations sufficient to open Cluster 1.
- Closing benchmarkIn progress
Irreversible rule-of-law track record: judicial independence and a sustained anti-corruption record.