Timeline
This country's accession timeline, newest first. Each item links to its primary source. We summarise in our own words and never republish article text.
Data verified as of 15 Jun 2026
- Position
Government target: conclude accession negotiations by 2028
The government of Moldova states a goal of concluding accession negotiations by 2028. Stored as an attributed political target, not a fact.
- Milestone
Cluster 1 "Fundamentals" opens
At an Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, the EU opened the first negotiating cluster, Fundamentals, with Moldova (and Ukraine).
- Milestone
First Intergovernmental Conference opens negotiations
Accession negotiations were formally launched with Moldova at the first Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg.
- Milestone
EU leaders agree to open accession negotiations
The European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova.
- Milestone
Commission recommends opening accession negotiations
In its 2023 Enlargement package, the European Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Moldova (and Ukraine), citing reform progress. The European Council agreed five weeks later.
- Milestone
EU grants Moldova candidate status
The European Council granted Moldova the status of candidate country.
- Milestone
Commission recommends candidate status for Moldova
In its formal Opinion, the European Commission recommended that the Council grant Moldova candidate status, conditional on further reforms. The Council did so six days later.
- Milestone
Moldova applies for EU membership
Moldova formally applied to join the European Union.