As of July 2025, there are 20 third countries associated to Horizon Europe, including EEA/EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway), Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye), European Neighbourhood Policy countries: Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine), Southern neighbourhood countries (Israel, Tunisia) as well as other third countries (Canada, the Faroe Islands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom), the Republic of Korea.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
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On 17 July 2025, the Republic of Korea became the first Asian country to associate to Horizon Europe.
On 3 July 2024, Canada became Associated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, with retroactive application as of 1 January 2024.
On 4 December 2023, the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programme adopted the Protocol on the United Kingdom’s association to Horizon Europe, formalising the United Kingdom’s association to the Programme (with the exception of the EIC fund) as of 1 January 2024.
On 9 July 2023, New Zealand became associated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, with retroactive application as of 1 January 2023.
Discussions on association are progressing well with other like-minded countries:
Official negotiations with Japan were launched on 3 December 2024.
On 20 December 2024, the Commission and Switzerland completed negotiations. Switzerland is expected to be associated to Horizon Europe in 2025.
Negotiations with Egypt were concluded on 10 April 2025. Egypt is expected to be associated to Horizon Europe in 2025.
Singapore expressed its interest to launch exploratory discussions on association in April 2024.
Association negotiations with Morocco are currently paused.
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Details
- Publication date
- 21 December 2021 (Last updated on: 13 August 2025)
- Author
- Directorate-General for Research and Innovation