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 rightsSomeIn negotiation
- 24Justice, freedom and securitySomeIn negotiation
- 32Financial controlModerateIn negotiation
2Internal Market0 of 9 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 1Free movement of goodsModerateNot started
- 2Freedom of movement for workersModerateNot started
- 3Right of establishment and freedom to provide servicesModerateNot started
- 4Free movement of capitalModerateIn negotiation
- 6Company lawGoodIn negotiation
- 7Intellectual property lawGoodIn negotiation
- 8Competition policyModerateNot started
- 9Financial servicesModerateIn negotiation
- 28Consumer and health protectionModerateNot started
3Competitiveness & Inclusive Growth2 of 8 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 10Digital transformation and mediaModerateNot started
- 16TaxationModerateNot started
- 17Economic and monetary policyModerateIn negotiation
- 19Social policy and employmentModerateNot started
- 20Enterprise and industrial policyModerateIn negotiation
- 25Science and researchGoodProvisionally closed
- 26Education and cultureGoodProvisionally closed
- 29Customs unionGoodIn negotiation
4Green Agenda & Sustainable Connectivity0 of 4 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 14Transport policyGoodIn negotiation
- 15EnergyModerateIn negotiation
- 21Trans-European networksModerateIn negotiation
- 27Environment and climate changeSomeIn negotiation
5Resources, Agriculture & Cohesion0 of 5 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 11Agriculture and rural developmentSomeNot started
- 12Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policyModerateNot started
- 13FisheriesModerateIn negotiation
- 22Regional policy and coordination of structural instrumentsModerateNot started
- 33Financial and budgetary provisionsSomeIn negotiation
6External Relations0 of 2 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 30External relationsModerateIn negotiation
- 31Foreign, security and defence policyModerateNot started
Outside the clusters (handled last)
- 34InstitutionsNot started
- 35Other issuesIn negotiation
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.
- Conditional
EU (Council) — Progress is tied to the normalisation of relations with Kosovo and to alignment with EU foreign policy — Serbia has not joined sanctions on Russia.
- Blocking
Member states — No new cluster or chapter has opened since December 2021, amid rule-of-law backsliding.