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 7 Aug 2026
- Position
Commissioner Kos in Skopje as Reform and Growth Facility payouts reach EUR 142.1 million
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos travelled to Skopje to meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Deputy Prime Minister Bekim Sali on Reform Agenda implementation and gradual EU integration. The Commission noted North Macedonia has received EUR 142.1 million under the Reform and Growth Facility following progress on key reforms.
- Position
Commission proposes to extend "Roam Like at Home" to North Macedonia
The Commission proposed opening negotiations with North Macedonia and five other Western Balkan partners to integrate them into the EU's "Roam Like at Home" regime, ending roaming surcharges for travellers once each partner fully aligns with EU roaming rules.
- Position
EU–North Macedonia committee welcomes progress on fundamentals-cluster benchmarks
The 19th Stabilisation and Association Committee met in Skopje on 10 February 2026 and welcomed progress in addressing the benchmarks for opening the fundamentals cluster, urging priority action on Reform Agenda steps whose grace period ends in June 2026.
- Position
2025 Enlargement Package: reforms continue, constitutional change still gates the first cluster
Adopting the 2025 Enlargement Package, the Commission noted North Macedonia's continued work on the rule-of-law, public-administration and democratic-institutions roadmaps, but urged swift, decisive action on the opening benchmarks — including the constitutional changes — to open the first cluster as soon as possible.
- Setback
Kochani nightclub fire exposes systemic anti-corruption failures
A fire in a Kochani club killed 62 and injured over 190. The EC 2025 Report cites the tragedy as revealing enduring systemic challenges over the enforcement of anti-corruption measures; corruption remains an issue of serious concern.
- Milestone
Commission approves North Macedonia's Reform Agenda under the Growth Plan
The Commission approved the Reform Agendas of five Western Balkan governments, committing North Macedonia to socio-economic and fundamental reforms over 2024–2027 and unlocking performance-based payments under the EUR 6 billion Reform and Growth Facility.
- Milestone
Screening of EU law completed
Bilateral screening for all six clusters concluded, but cluster opening remains blocked by the constitutional condition.
- Milestone
Accession negotiations formally open
The first Intergovernmental Conference launched negotiations — though no cluster has opened since, pending the constitutional amendment.
- Milestone
European Council endorses the decision to open accession negotiations
In March 2020 the European Council endorsed the decision to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia — almost 15 years after candidate status was granted. The first Intergovernmental Conference did not follow until July 2022.
- Milestone
EU grants North Macedonia candidate status
The European Council granted North Macedonia candidate-country status. Negotiations did not open for another 17 years.
- Milestone
North Macedonia applies for EU membership
North Macedonia formally applied to join the European Union.