# Accession of Serbia to the European Union

Serbia applied to join the European Union (EU) in 2009 and has been a candidate for membership since 2012, along with nine other states. Serbia is the largest country in Southeast Europe seeking entry into the EU.
Obstacles for accession include the requirement to recognize statehood for Kosovo, foreign policy alignment with Russia, democratic backsliding including allegations of fraud in elections in December 2023, and domestic policies such as rule of law and media freedom.

## History
### Identification

Negotiations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro) intensified following the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, and the EU officially declared the Balkan states potential candidates for membership following the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003.

### Stabilisation and Association Agreement

On 7 November 2007, Serbia initiated a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. The SAA came into force on 1 September 2013.
| Event | North Macedonia | Croatia | Albania | Montenegro | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Serbia | Kosovo |
| SAA negotiations start | 2000-04-05 | 2000-11-24 | 2003-01-31 | 2005-10-10 | 2005-11-25 | 2005-10-10 | 2013-10-28 |
| SAA initialled | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-14 | 2006-02-28 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-12-04 | 2007-11-07 | 2014-07-25 |
| SAA/IA signature | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-29 | 2006-06-12 | 2007-10-15 | 2008-06-16 | 2008-04-29 | 2015-10-27 |
| Interim Agreement: ||||||||
| EC ratification | 2001-04-27 | 2002-01-30 | 2006-06-12 | 2007-10-15 | 2008-06-16 | 2009-12-08 | N/A |
| SAP state ratification | 2001-04-27 | 2002-01-30 | 2006-10-09 | 2007-11-14 | 2008-06-20 | 2008-09-22 | N/A |
| entry into force | 2001-06-01 | 2002-03-01 | 2006-12-01 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-01 | 2010-02-01 | N/A |
| Deposit of the instrument of ratification: ||||||||
| SAP state | 2001-04-27 | 2002-01-30 | 2006-11-09 | 2007-11-13 | 2009-02-26 | 2008-09-22 | 2016-02-26 |
| Austria | 2002-09-06 | 2002-03-15 | 2008-05-21 | 2008-07-04 | 2009-09-04 | 2011-01-13 | N/A |
| Belgium | 2003-12-29 | 2003-12-17 | 2008-10-22 | 2010-03-29 | 2010-03-29 | 2012-03-20 | N/A |
| Bulgaria | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-05-30 | 2009-03-13 | 2010-08-12 | N/A |
| Croatia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | N/A |
| Cyprus | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-05-30 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-11-26 | N/A |
| Czech Republic | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-05-07 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-07-23 | 2011-01-28 | N/A |
| Denmark | 2002-04-10 | 2002-05-08 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-06-25 | 2009-05-26 | 2011-03-04 | N/A |
| Estonia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-10-17 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-09-11 | 2010-08-19 | N/A |
| Finland | 2004-01-06 | 2004-01-06 | 2007-11-29 | 2009-03-18 | 2009-04-07 | 2011-10-21 | N/A |
| France | 2003-06-04 | 2003-06-04 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-07-30 | 2011-02-10 | 2012-01-16 | N/A |
| Germany | 2002-06-20 | 2002-10-18 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-11-16 | 2009-08-14 | 2012-02-24 | N/A |
| Greece | 2003-08-27 | 2003-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-10 | N/A |
| Hungary | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-04-23 | 2008-05-14 | 2008-10-22 | 2010-11-16 | N/A |
| Ireland | 2002-05-06 | 2002-05-06 | 2007-06-11 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-06-04 | 2011-09-29 | N/A |
| Italy | 2003-10-30 | 2004-10-06 | 2008-01-07 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-09-08 | 2011-01-06 | N/A |
| Latvia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2006-12-19 | 2008-10-17 | 2009-11-12 | 2011-05-30 | N/A |
| Lithuania | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-05-17 | 2009-03-04 | 2009-05-04 | 2013-06-26 | N/A |
| Luxembourg | 2003-07-28 | 2003-08-01 | 2007-07-04 | 2009-06-11 | 2010-12-22 | 2011-01-21 | N/A |
| Malta | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-04-21 | 2008-12-11 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-06 | N/A |
| Netherlands | 2002-09-09 | 2004-04-30 | 2007-12-10 | 2009-01-29 | 2009-09-30 | 2012-02-27 | N/A |
| Poland | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-04-14 | 2009-02-06 | 2010-04-07 | 2012-01-13 | N/A |
| Portugal | 2003-07-14 | 2003-07-14 | 2008-07-11 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-06-29 | 2011-03-04 | N/A |
| Romania | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2009-01-15 | 2010-01-08 | 2012-05-22 | N/A |
| Slovakia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-07-20 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-03-17 | 2010-11-11 | N/A |
| Slovenia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-01-18 | 2008-02-07 | 2009-03-10 | 2010-12-07 | N/A |
| Spain | 2002-10-04 | 2002-10-04 | 2007-05-03 | 2009-03-12 | 2010-06-15 | 2010-06-21 | N/A |
| Sweden | 2002-06-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2007-03-21 | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-14 | 2011-04-15 | N/A |
| United Kingdom | 2002-12-17 | 2004-09-03 | 2007-10-16 | 2010-01-12 | 2010-04-20 | 2011-08-11 | N/A |
| European Communities or European Union and Euratom | 2004-02-25 | 2004-12-21 | 2009-02-26 | 2010-03-29 | 2015-04-30 | 2013-07-22 | 2016-02-24 |
| SAA entry into force | 2004-04-01 | 2005-02-01 | 2009-04-01 | 2010-05-01 | 2015-06-01 | 2013-09-01 | 2016-04-01 |
| EU membership (SAA lapsed) | (TBD) | 2013-07-01 | (TBD) | (TBD) | (TBD) | (TBD) | (TBD) |

### Recommendation

The European Commission recommended making Serbia an official candidate on 12 October 2011. The Council also made the recommendation on 28 February 2012.

### Candidacy

Serbia received full candidate status on 1 March 2012. In December 2013, the Council of the European Union approved opening negotiations for Serbia's accession.

### Application

Serbia officially applied for European Union membership on 22 December 2009.

### Developmental Aid

Until 2020, Serbia had been receiving €2.9bn of developmental aid from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries.

## Chronology of relations with the EU

Timeline :
| Date | Event |
| 1998 | The EU Council of Ministers establishes political and economic conditionality for the development of bilateral relations. |
| 21 June 2003 | The Stabilisation and Association Process is confirmed as the EU policy for the Western Balkans. The EU's perspective on these countries is confirmed. |
| October 2004 | European Council conclusions open up a process for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SSA). |
| October 2005 | Negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement are launched. |
| 3 May 2006 | SAA negotiations called off due to lack of progress on cooperation with the ICTY. |
| 13 June 2007 | SAA negotiations with Serbia resumed, following a clear commitment by the country to achieve full cooperation with the ICTY. |
| 1 November 2007 | Serbia's SAA is initialed. |
| 1 January 2008 | Entry into force of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement between Serbia and the EU. |
| 18 February 2008 | Council adopts revised European partnership for Serbia. |
| 29 April 2008 | The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Interim agreement on trade and trade-related issues between Serbia and the EU are signed in Luxembourg. |
| 19 December 2009 | Visa requirement lifted for Serbs travelling to Schengen countries. |
| 22 December 2009 | Serbia officially applies for membership in the European Union. |
| 14 June 2010 | EU members decide to start SAA ratification process |
| 31 January 2011 | Serbia replies to Commission questionnaire |
| 14 October 2011 | European Commission delivers its Opinion on Serbia's EU membership application, granting candidate status based on one key priority. |
| 1 March 2012 | European Council grants Serbia official candidate status for EU membership |
| 28 June 2013 | European Council endorsed the commission's recommendation to open negotiations with Serbia |
| 1 September 2013 | Entry into force of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement |
| 25 September 2013 | Screening of the acquis started. |
| 17 December 2013 | Council adopted the negotiating framework with Serbia and agreed to hold the 1st Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in January 2014 |
| 21 January 2014 | 1st EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference held, signaling the official start of negotiations. |
| 25 March 2015 | All EU acquis screenings are completed. |
| 14 December 2015 | Opening of Chapters 32 "financial control" and 35 "other issues – Item 1: Normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo*" |
| 18 July 2016 | Opening of Chapters 23 "Judiciary and fundamental rights" and 24 "Justice, freedom and security" |
| 13 December 2016 | Opening of Chapters 5, Public procurement, and 25, Science and Research. Chapter 25, Science and Research, provisionally closed. |
| 27 February 2017 | Opening of Chapters 20, Enterprise and industrial policy, and 26, Education and culture. Chapter 26, Education and culture, is provisionally closed. |
| 20 June 2017 | Opening of Chapters 7, Intellectual property law, and 29, Customs Union. |
| 11 December 2017 | Opening of Chapters 6, Company law, and 30, External relations. |
| 25 June 2018 | Opening of Chapters 13, Fisheries, and 33, Financial and budgetary provisions. |
| 10 December 2018 | Opening of Chapters 17, Economic and monetary policy, and 18, Statistics. |
| 27 June 2019 | Opening of Chapter 9, Financial services |
| 9 December 2019 | Opening of Chapter 4, Free Movement of Capital |
| 1 February 2021 | New Methodology comes into effect |
| 14 December 2021 | Opening of Chapters 14, Transport Policy, 15, Energy, 21, Trans-European Networks and 27, Environment and Climate Change |

## Foreign Policy

Serbia refused to join international sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In response, the European Parliament passed a resolution that stated in part it "strongly regrets Serbia’s non-alignment with EU sanctions against Russia, which damages its EU accession process."

### Serbia and Kosovo

The biggest obstacle to Serbia's accession to the EU is its strained relationship with Kosovo, which escalated after the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence. The Serbian government has declared that the status of Kosovo should not be tied to the EU negotiations. In September 2012, the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Štefan Füle, denied that the European Union would insist on Serbia's recognition of Kosovo before it can join the organisation.
On 19 April 2013, the governments of Kosovo and Serbia completed the Brussels Agreement, which was hailed as a major step towards normalising relations and enabled the start of EU accession talks with Serbia. In November 2013, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Enver Hoxhaj suggested that the EU should approve the accession of Kosovo and Serbia simultaneously due to concerns that if Serbia was admitted first they could veto Kosovo's membership. However, Serbia's accession negotiations were not halted.
In March 2021, the European Parliament adopted a report on Serbia, which, amongst other things, emphasized that the normalization of relationships between Serbia and Kosovo is "a priority and a requirement for EU accession."

## Negotiations

No further progress on the opening or closing of chapters have been achieved since December 2021. Benchmarks were met for the opening of all 3 remaining chapters in cluster 3 (chapter 10, 16 and 19) in December 2024, but this was postponed due the opening being conditional on "substantial further progress made by Serbia, in particular in accordance with...the rule of law (chapter 23+24) and the normalisation of relations with Kosovo".
Screening and Chapter Dates :
| Progression | 34 / 34 100% complete | 34 / 34 100% complete | 22 / 34 64.7% complete | 2 / 34 5.9% complete |
| Acquis Chapter | Screening Started | Screening Completed | Chapter Opened | Chapter Closed |
| Overview | 34 out of 34 | 34 out of 34 | 22 out of 34 | 2 out of 34 |
| 1. Free Movement of Goods | 2014-06-17 | 2014-09-12 | – | – |
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | 2014-01-23 | 2014-03-25 | – | – |
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | 2014-01-30 | 2014-03-13 | – | – |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | 2014-10-13 | 2014-12-15 | 2019-12-10 | – |
| 5. Public Procurement | 2014-03-21 | 2014-05-13 | 2016-12-13 | – |
| 6. Company Law | 2014-12-11 | 2015-02-05 | 2017-12-11 | – |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | 2014-09-24 | 2014-11-13 | 2017-06-20 | – |
| 8. Competition Policy | 2014-03-31 | 2014-11-05 | – | – |
| 9. Financial Services | 2015-01-21 | 2015-03-17 | 2019-06-27 | – |
| 10. Information Society & Media | 2014-05-22 | 2014-07-02 | – | – |
| 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | 2014-03-18 | 2014-09-16 | – | – |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | 2014-02-03 | 2014-10-24 | – | – |
| 13. Fisheries | 2014-09-30 | 2014-11-14 | 2018-06-25 | – |
| 14. Transport Policy | 2014-12-16 | 2015-02-27 | 2021-12-14 | – |
| 15. Energy | 2014-04-29 | 2014-06-12 | 2021-12-14 | – |
| 16. Taxation | 2014-10-14 | 2015-03-06 | – | – |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | 2014-12-02 | 2015-03-12 | 2018-12-10 | – |
| 18. Statistics | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-26 | 2018-12-10 | – |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | 2014-02-10 | 2014-06-26 | – | – |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | 2014-04-03 | 2014-07-02 | 2017-02-27 | – |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | 2014-04-29 | 2015-02-27 | 2021-12-14 | – |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | 2014-10-01 | 2015-01-29 | – | – |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | 2013-09-25 | 2013-12-10 | 2016-07-18 | – |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | 2013-10-02 | 2013-12-13 | 2016-07-18 | – |
| 25. Science & Research | 2014-10-06 | 2014-12-01 | 2016-12-13 | 2016-12-13 |
| 26. Education & Culture | 2014-02-20 | 2014-04-04 | 2017-02-27 | 2017-02-27 |
| 27. Environment | 2014-09-15 | 2014-11-21 | 2021-12-14 | – |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | 2014-12-04 | 2015-02-04 | – | – |
| 29. Customs Union | 2014-03-26 | 2014-06-04 | 2017-06-20 | – |
| 30. External Relations | 2014-07-02 | 2014-10-09 | 2017-12-11 | – |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | 2014-07-15 | 2014-10-10 | – | – |
| 32. Financial Control | 2013-10-17 | 2013-11-26 | 2015-12-14 | – |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | 2015-01-27 | 2015-03-24 | 2018-06-25 | – |
| 34. Institutions | – | – | – | – |
| 35. Other Issues: Relations with Kosovo* | 2014-01-22 | 2015-03-25 | 2015-12-14 | – |
| Progression | 34 / 34 100% complete | 34 / 34 100% complete | 22 / 34 64.7% complete | 2 / 34 5.9% complete |
October 2024 European Commission Report :
| Progression | 12 Unopened Chapters 22 Open Chapters 2 Closed Chapters 5.9% complete | Some level of preparation4 / 34 Moderately prepared19 / 34 Good level of preparation10 / 34 |
| Acquis chapter | Chapter Status | Acquis Status |
| 1. Free Movement of Goods | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 5. Public Procurement | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 6. Company Law | Open | Good level of preparation |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | Open | Good level of preparation |
| 8. Competition Policy | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 9. Financial Services | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 10. Information Society & Media | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Unopened | Some level of preparation |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 13. Fisheries | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 14. Transport Policy | Open | Good level of preparation |
| 15. Energy | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 16. Taxation | Unopened | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | Open | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 18. Statistics | Open | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | Open | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Open | Some level of preparation |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Open | Moderately prepared$^{††}$ |
| 25. Science & Research | Chapter Closed | Good level of preparation |
| 26. Education & Culture | Chapter Closed | Good level of preparation |
| 27. Environment & Climate Change | Open | Some level of preparation |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 29. Customs Union | Open | Good level of preparation |
| 30. External Relations | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Unopened | Moderately prepared |
| 32. Financial Control | Open | Moderately prepared |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Open | Some level of preparation |
| 34. Institutions | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia |
| 35. Other Issues – Normalisation with Kosovo | Open | Further efforts needed |
| Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". $^{††}$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced |||
Report History :
| Acquis chapter | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 1. Free Movement of Goods | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 5. Public Procurement | Considerable efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 6. Company Law | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 8. Competition Policy | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 9. Financial Services | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 10. Information Society & Media | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Early stage | Early stage | Considerable efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 13. Fisheries | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 14. Transport Policy | Some level of preparation | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 15. Energy | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 16. Taxation | Further efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | Further efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 18. Statistics | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | Considerable efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Considerable efforts needed | Some level of preparation | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared$^{††}$ |
| 25. Science & Research | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 26. Education & Culture | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Some level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 27. Environment | Early stage | Considerable efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Some level of preparation | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 29. Customs Union | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 30. External Relations | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 32. Financial Control | Early stage | Early stage | Considerable efforts needed | Considerable efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 34. Institutions | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia | Currently not applicable for Serbia |
| 35. Other Issues Normalisation with Kosovo | Early stage | Early stage | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed |
| Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". $^{††}$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced ||||||||||||||
Clusters of negotiating chapters :
| Clusters | Acquis Chapter | State of Play | Cluster Opened | Cluster Closed |
| Overview | Overview | 22 out of 34 | 2 out of 6 | 0 out of 6 |
| Fundamentals | 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | Economic criteria | – | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | Functioning of democratic institutions | – | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | Public administration reform | – | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 5. Public Procurement | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 18. Statistics | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 32. Financial Control | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 1. Free Movement of Goods | Serbia working on fulfilment of opening benchmarks | – | – |
| Internal Market | 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Draft EU Common Position in Council | – | – |
| Internal Market | 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Draft EU Common Position in Council | – | – |
| Internal Market | 4. Free Movement of Capital | Opened | – | – |
| Internal Market | 6. Company Law | Opened | – | – |
| Internal Market | 7. Intellectual Property Law | Opened | – | – |
| Internal Market | 8. Competition Policy | Serbia working on fulfillment of opening benchmarks | – | – |
| Internal Market | 9. Financial Services | Opened | – | – |
| Internal Market | 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Draft EU Common Position in Council | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 10. Information Society & Media | Draft EU Common Position in Council | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 16. Taxation | Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | Opened | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 19. Social Policy & Employment | Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Opened | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 25. Science & Research | Closed | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 26. Education & Culture | Closed | – | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 29. Customs Union | Opened | – | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 14. Transport Policy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 15. Energy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 21. Trans-European Networks | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 27. Environment | Opened | Opened | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council | – | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Serbia working on fulfilment of opening benchmarks | – | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 13. Fisheries | Opened | – | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Opening Benchmarks Assessment Report in Council | – | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Opened | – | – |
| External relations | 30. External Relations | Opened | – | – |
| External relations | 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Screening Report in Council | – | – |
| | 34. Institutions | – | – | – |
| | 35. Other Issues: Relations with Kosovo* | Opened | Opened | – |

## Public opinion

Serbia was initially supportive of accession in the past due to better relationships with countries in the European Union, as well as for economic reasons. In the last decades because of the support of Kosovo's independence by most European countries, the economic crisis, the better relationships with the United States in addition to giving sanctions against Russia during the Russian invasion in Ukraine, support for EU membership went down. Serbia has become more opposed to the Western NATO bloc and prefer better ties and relationships with, for example, Russia for its shared Eastern Orthodox Christian Slavic traditions and China with its large economy and similar soft alliance with Russia.
A February 2024 NSPM poll recorded that 42.8% were for joining the EU, with 36.8% against. The rest were undecided or refused to give the answer. Another poll recorded the question "Would you support joining the EU if recognizing the independence of Kosovo was a condition for joining it?", 76% answered no, compared to 12.2% who said yes.
A March 2025 NPSM poll found that if a referendum on joining the EU took place, 38.9% would vote in favour of joining the EU, with 43.2% voting against, and 17.9% unsure or abstaining.
Data by the Serbian Ministry of European Integration :
| Date | Question | Yes | No | Undecided |
| September 2002 | Join EU? | 68% | 13% | 19% |
| December 2003 | Join EU? | 72% | 8% | 20% |
| September 2004 | Join EU? | 71% | 12% | 17% |
| September 2005 | Join EU? | 64% | 12% | 24% |
| September 2006 | Join EU? | 70% | 12% | 18% |
| June 2007 | Join EU? | 69% | 15% | 15% |
| June 2008 | Join EU? | 67% | 12% | 21% |
| October 2008 | Join EU? | 65% | – | – |
| December 2008 | Join EU? | 61% | 13% | 26% |
| May 2009 | Join EU? | 61% | 17% | 22% |
| December 2009 | Join EU? | 65% | 14% | 21% |
| June 2010 | Join EU? | 65% | 15% | 20% |
| December 2010 | Join EU? | 57% | 18% | 25% |
| May 2011 | Join EU? | 55% | 27% | 18% |
| June 2011 | Join EU? | 53% | 24% | 23% |
| September 2011 | Join EU? | 46% | 37% | 17% |
| December 2011 | Join EU? | 51% | 28% | 21% |
| December 2012 | Join EU? | 41% | 31% | 27% |
| July 2013 | Join EU? | 50% | 24% | 26% |
| December 2013 | Join EU? | 51% | 22% | 27% |
| June 2014 | Join EU? | 46% | 19% | 35% |
| December 2014 | Join EU? | 44% | 25% | 31% |
| June 2015 | Join EU? | 49% | 28% | 23% |
| December 2015 | Join EU? | 48% | 28% | 24% |
| June 2016 | Join EU? | 41% | 24% | 35% |
| December 2016 | Join EU? | 47% | 29% | 24% |
| June 2017 | Join EU? | 49% | 27% | 24% |
| December 2017 | Join EU? | 52% | 24% | 24% |
| July 2018 | Join EU? | 55% | 21% | 24% |
| December 2018 | Join EU? | 55% | 25% | 20% |
| July 2019 | Join EU? | 53% | 25% | 22% |
| December 2019 | Join EU? | 54% | 24% | 22% |
| December 2022 | Join EU? | 43% | 32% | 25% |
Other Sources on Serbian Support for EU Accession :
| Date | Agency | Question | Yes | No | Undecided |
| October 2008 | Strategic Marketing | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 61% | – | – |
| November 2010 | Gallup Balkan Monitor | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 63% | – | – |
| March 2012 | B92/Ipsos Strategic Marketing | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 49% | 34% | 5% |
| July 2013 | Ipsos Strategic Marketing | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 53% | – | – |
| December 2014 | EU Delegation to Serbia | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 57% | 28% | 15% |
| December 2014 | Eurobarometer | Do you support the enlargement of EU? | 58% | 26% | 16% |
| August 2017 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 51.2% | 36.3% | 12.5% |
| March 2022 | IPSOS | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 35% | 44% | 21% |
| June 2022 | Demostat | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 34% | 51% | 15% |
| October 2022 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 34.7% | 48.8% | 16.5% |
| January 2023 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 35.5% | 47.7% | 16.8% |
| April 2023 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 42.7% | 44.2% | 13.1% |
| May 2023 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 40.6% | 45.9% | 13.5% |
| June 2023 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 43.7% | 46.7% | 9.6% |
| October 2023 | Smart Plus | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 44% | 30% | 15% |
| February 2024 | NSPM | Do you support accession of Serbia to EU? | 42.8% | 36.8% | 20.4% |
| March 2025 | NSPM | How would you vote on a referendum on joining EU? | 38.9% | 43.2% | 17.9% |

## Visa liberalisation process

On 1 January 2008, the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement between Serbia and the EU came into effect. On 19 December 2009, Visa requirements were lifted for Serbs travelling to Schengen countries.

## Serbia's foreign relations with EU member states

| Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark | Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland | Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland | Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden |