Navigating the world of European statistics and international relations often requires familiarity with specific country codes. These two-letter abbreviations, always presented in capital letters, are essential for concise representation in statistical analyses, tables, figures, and maps. Understanding these “Euro Country Codes” is crucial for anyone working with European data or engaging in international contexts involving European nations.
These country codes are not arbitrarily assigned. For European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, as well as candidate countries, the protocol order and thus the listing sequence is typically based on the alphabetical order of the countries’ names in their respective national languages. For potential candidates, the alphabetical order of their country codes themselves determines the order.
The structure of international listings usually prioritizes EU Member States, followed by EFTA Member States, EU candidate countries, potential candidates, and finally, other countries. Within tables, the standard order is to read down the first column, then the second, and so forth.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of euro country codes, categorized for clarity:
European Union (EU) Member States and Their Codes
| Country | Code | Country | Code | Country | Code | Country | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | BE | Greece | EL | Lithuania | LT | Portugal | PT |
| Bulgaria | BG | Spain | ES | Luxembourg | LU | Romania | RO |
| Czechia | CZ | France | FR | Hungary | HU | Slovenia | SI |
| Denmark | DK | Croatia | HR | Malta | MT | Slovakia | SK |
| Germany | DE | Italy | IT | Netherlands | NL | Finland | FI |
| Estonia | EE | Cyprus | CY | Austria | AT | Sweden | SE |
| Ireland | IE | Latvia | LV | Poland | PL |
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Member States and Their Codes
| Country | Code | Country | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | IS | Norway | NO |
| Liechtenstein | LI | Switzerland | CH |
EU Candidate Countries and Their Codes
| Country | Code |
|---|---|
| Albania | AL |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | BA |
| Georgia | GE |
| Moldova | MD |
| Montenegro | ME |
| North Macedonia | MK |
| Serbia | RS |
| Türkiye | TR |
| Ukraine | UA |
Potential Candidate Countries
| Country | Code |
|---|---|
| Kosovo* | XK[1] |
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. (with asterisk and footnote in written documents, only the first time that Kosovo is mentioned).
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) – East Countries
| Country | Code |
|---|---|
| Armenia | AM |
| Azerbaijan | AZ |
| Belarus | BY |
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) – South Countries
| Country | Code | Country | Code | Country | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | DZ | Lebanon | LB | Syria | SY |
| Egypt | EG | Libya | LY | Tunisia | TN |
| Israel | IL | Morocco | MA | ||
| Jordan | JO | Palestine [2] | PS |
Other Countries and Their Codes
| Country | Code | Country | Code | Country | Code | Country | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | AR | Hong Kong | HK | New Zealand | NZ | South Korea | KR |
| Australia | AU | India | IN | Nigeria | NG | Taiwan | TW |
| Brazil | BR | Japan | JP | Russia | RU | United Kingdom | UK |
| Canada | CA | Mexico | MX | Singapore | SG | United States | US |
| China (except Hong Kong) | CN_X_HK | South Africa | ZA |
Understanding and utilizing these “euro country codes” ensures clarity and consistency in international communication and data handling. This guide serves as a quick reference for professionals and anyone needing to accurately identify and use these standardized abbreviations. For more detailed information and context, consult official resources from the European Union and related organizations.
Further Information
Interinstitutional style guide (Publications Office)
Notes
[1] ^ Kosovo*:.
[2] ^ Palestine:.
