---
title: "EU Prepares New Approach for Candidate Countries: What Will Change Before Accession"
description: "The European Union plans to grant candidate countries broader access to its single market and research programs even before their official accession to the bloc."
date: 2026-09-30T10:58:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/eu-prepares-new-approach-for-candidate-countries
tags: [eu-enlargement, european-commission, candidate-countries, single-market]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# EU Prepares New Approach for Candidate Countries: What Will Change Before Accession

![European Union flags in front of the European Commission building](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/30/es-gotovit-noviy-podhod-k-stranam-kandidatam/es-gotovit-noviy-podhod-k-stranam-kandidatam-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Candidate countries will gain access to the EU single market prior to official accession
- The draft was developed under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen's adviser Alexandre Adam
- Candidates are required to show solidarity in countering external threats and competitors
- The presentation of the enlargement impact analysis is scheduled for October 6

The European Union is considering a sweeping reform of its enlargement policy that could fundamentally alter economic engagement with states aspiring to block membership. According to a draft proposal by the European Commission reviewed by POLITICO, candidate countries will be given the opportunity to benefit from the single market long before the completion of all bureaucratic and political procedures for full accession.

### A New Integration Model and Its Economic Goals

The document, drafted under the leadership of Alexandre Adam, chief adviser to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to break the prolonged stagnation in EU enlargement. Notably, since Croatia's accession in 2013, the bloc has not admitted a single new member. The new initiative envisions granting candidates access to free trade and key research and innovation programs of the European Union during the transition period.

Brussels expects that this step will not only support the developing economies of applicant states but also strengthen the bloc's own standing. The draft text emphasizes that earlier integration will unlock new opportunities for European businesses, reinforce continental value chains, and significantly reduce the bloc's strategic dependence on external players.

### Conditions for Candidates and Geopolitical Context

However, expanded economic access will not be granted automatically. Candidate countries are strictly expected to demonstrate readiness to act in full alignment with the European Union's geopolitical course, particularly regarding countering hostile states and global industrial competitors. The Commission intends to determine on a case-by-case basis the areas where confirmed regulatory alignment allows for deeper industrial cooperation.

It is worth noting that parallel to the preparation of this unprecedented proposal, discussions continue within EU institutions regarding internal readiness for enlargement. Previously, the European Commission postponed the publication of a detailed analysis on how a future increase in membership will affect the bloc's institutional mechanisms and functionality. The presentation of this strategic document is scheduled for October 6, 2026, setting the tone for the broader reform.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [ЕС готовит новый подход к странам-кандидатам: что изменится еще до вступления](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/es-gotue-noviy-pidhid-krayin-kandidativ-shcho-1790765804.html) - Детальный пересказ инициативы Еврокомиссии со ссылкой на POLITICO.
- [Страны-кандидаты на вступление в ЕС получат доступ к экономике блока: в списке числится Украина](https://24tv.ua/economy/ru/vstuplenie-v-es-chto-poluchat-strany-kandidaty_n3151744) - Подтверждение участия Украины в новом формате интеграции.
- [Почему самая богатая европейская страна, не входящая в ЕС, сказала Союзу "нет"](https://ru.euronews.com/2026/09/01/ru-what-does-icelands-no-vote-mean-for-the-eus-enlargement-policy) - Подтверждено по источнику ru.euronews.com

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What exactly will candidate countries receive before joining the EU?
**A:** Candidate countries are planned to be granted access to the free market, as well as the European Union's research and innovation programs.

### Q: Who led the preparation of this project within the European Commission?
**A:** The document was prepared under the leadership of Alexandre Adam, chief adviser to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.