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 procurementModerateIn negotiation
- 18StatisticsModerateIn negotiation
- 23Judiciary and fundamental rightsSomeIn negotiation
- 24Justice, freedom and securitySomeIn negotiation
- 32Financial controlModerateIn negotiation
2Internal Market0 of 9 chapters provisionally closedOpen
- 1Free movement of goodsModerateIn negotiation
- 2Freedom of movement for workersModerateIn negotiation
- 3Right of establishment and freedom to provide servicesModerateIn negotiation
- 4Free movement of capitalModerateIn negotiation
- 6Company lawGoodIn negotiation
- 7Intellectual property lawGoodIn negotiation
- 8Competition policyModerateIn negotiation
- 9Financial servicesModerateIn negotiation
- 28Consumer and health protectionModerateIn 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 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
- 13FisheriesModerateNot started
- 22Regional policy and coordination of structural instrumentsModerateNot started
- 33Financial and budgetary provisionsSomeNot started
6External Relations0 of 2 chapters provisionally closedNot started
- 30External relationsModerateNot started
- 31Foreign, security and defence policyModerateNot 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.
- 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.