ECB finds lack of major progress in five European Union nations' euro accession. Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden remain distant from adopting euro currency.
All except Denmark are legally obligated to join euro, but there are no penalties.
External shocks contributed significantly, causing convergence progress to slow or stall recently. Public finances deteriorated in most countries compared to the two thousand twenty-four report.
Bulgaria joined the eurozone this year, unlike the five candidate countries mentioned. Hungary, despite new promises, is considered farthest from satisfying Maastricht criteria fully.