How Many Countries Are in Europe? A Traveler’s Guide to the Continent’s Borders

Last Updated on 10 July 2025 by Johan

Europe may be one continent, but it’s a mosaic of cultures, histories, and borders that sparks curiosity for travelers and geography lovers alike. So, just how many countries make up this fascinating region?

The Official Count: 44 Sovereign Nations

According to the United Nations, Europe consists of 44 recognized sovereign states. These range from sprawling giants like Russia and Germany to smaller gems such as Liechtenstein or San Marino. (List at the end of this article)

But it’s not always clear-cut. Some lists vary depending on political recognition or the inclusion of transcontinental countries — which means certain territories straddle more than one continent, making classification a bit tricky.

Transcontinental Countries

Several nations have land in both Europe and Asia:

  • Russia (mostly in Asia, but culturally and politically anchored in Europe)
  • Turkey (has a small portion in Europe known as East Thrace)
  • Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan also cross into both continents.

Most international organizations still count these in Europe for certain political, sporting, or historical reasons.

Unique Situations

  • Vatican City: The world’s smallest country is fully within Rome and wields huge religious and cultural influence.
  • Kosovo: Recognized by many countries, but not all — its status remains a diplomatic debate.
  • Northern Cyprus: Only recognized by Turkey, making its inclusion dependent on context.

Beyond Borders: Travel Implications

For travelers, the number of “European countries” also shifts depending on visa systems, border controls, and travel alliances like the Schengen Area, which includes many — but not all — European states. For example:

  • Ireland is not part of Schengen.
  • Norway is part of Schengen but not in the EU.

Travel Tip: Whether you’re counting by passports, politics, or UNESCO listings, Europe is best explored country by country — each with its own charm, cuisine, and character.

List of European Countries and their population (2025)

  1. Russia 143997393
  2. Germany 84075075
  3. United Kingdom 69551332
  4. France 66650804
  5. Italy 59146260
  6. Spain 47889958
  7. Ukraine 38980376
  8. Poland 38140910
  9. Romania 18908650
  10. Netherlands 18346819
  11. Belgium 11758603
  12. Sweden 10656633
  13. Czech Republic (Czechia) 10609239
  14. Portugal 10411834
  15. Greece 9938844
  16. Hungary 9632287
  17. Austria 9113574
  18. Belarus 8997603
  19. Switzerland 8967407
  20. Bulgaria 6714560
  21. Serbia 6689039
  22. Denmark 6002507
  23. Finland 5623329
  24. Norway 5623071
  25. Slovakia 5474881
  26. Ireland 5308039
  27. Croatia 3848160
  28. Bosnia and Herzegovina 3140095
  29. Moldova 2996106
  30. Lithuania 2830144
  31. Albania 2771508
  32. Slovenia 2117072
  33. Latvia 1853559
  34. North Macedonia 1813791
  35. Estonia 1344232
  36. Luxembourg 680453
  37. Montenegro 632729
  38. Malta 545405
  39. Iceland 398266
  40. Andorra 82904
  41. Liechtenstein 40128
  42. Monaco 38341
  43. San Marino 33572
  44. Holy See (Vatican City State) 501