Nil point
Which countries are not competing in Eurovision 2025?
One country's participation has sparked a global controversy
EUROVISION is one of the most exciting events in music, as nations compete in an all-singing-all-dancing competition.
However, due to world events, some countries are unable to compete at the singing contest and some are even barred from taking part.
5
5
Andorra
Andorra has not competed in Eurovision since 2009.
The country has chosen not to take part because of its public finances being overstretched.
However, the government has hinted that they will return to the competition when they have balanced the books.
Belarus
Belarus has been banned from competing at Eurovision since 2021, because its entry that year, Ya Nauchu Tebya (I’ll Teach You), was deemed to be politically motivated.
The song was described as celebrating “political oppression and slavery".
Belarus has tried several times, unsuccessfully, to overturn the verdict.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Despite appearing in the competition 19 times, Bosnia and Herzegovina stopped competing at Eurovision in 2016.
The country cited monetary problems as their reason for withdrawing from Eurovision.
Most read in News TV
This means they won’t be appearing in Switzerland for the competition, which was won last year by Swiss artist Nemo.
Oct 7 survivor to sing at Eurovision after hiding under bodies in massacre
Bulgaria
Bulgaria will miss Eurovision for the third year in a row in 2025.
The country announced it will be sitting out this year due to financial difficulties.
Bulgaria has been known to perform well at Eurovision, nearly clinching the top spot with Kristian Kostov’s Beautiful Mess in 2017.
However, Kristian was beaten by Salvador Sobral who represented Portugal.
Hungary
Hungary has appeared at Eurovision 19 times, but has pulled out several times in the competition's history.
The country peaked at fourth place at Eurovision in 1994, but regularly makes the top 10 when they take part.
It pulled out of the competition in 2020 due to funding issues.
Monaco
Monaco has entered Eurovision 23 times and even won the competition in 1971.
However, due to funding issues and the demise of state broadcaster TMC, the principality chose to withdraw.
It will not be taking part in 2025.
5
Montenegro
Montenegro first appeared at Eurovision in 2007.
However, it pulled out of the competition in 2022 after a lack of interest from sponsors.
The state broadcaster announced: "Besides the significant costs of the registration fee, as well as the cost of the stay in the United Kingdom, we faced a lack of interest from sponsors.
"With that being said, we decided to direct existing resources to the financing of current and planned national projects, and organizational and program reforms."
Morocco
Morocco became the only country to take part in Eurovision.
Middle Eastern and North African countries who are members of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) are eligible to take part in Eurovision.
However, Morocco has not appeared at the competition since 1980 in protest against Israel’s participation at Eurovision.
Israel missed the competition in 1980, which prompted Morocco to enter.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia saddened fans when it pulled out of Eurovision in 2023.
The country confirmed that it exited the competition due to financial constraints.
2025 will be its third consecutive year of not taking part at Eurovision.
Romania
Romania has confirmed that it won’t be taking part in the 2025 competition.
The country pulled out of Eurovision in 2024.
However, the national broadcaster has yet to confirm why they exited the competition.
Russia
Russia has been disqualified from Eurovision since 2022, when it illegally invaded its neighbouring country Ukraine.
Ukraine swept to a stunning win that year at the competition, receiving a massive amount of public and jury votes.
Due to the war in Ukraine, the country decided to hold the competition in the United Kingdom since the UK had come second.
Russia has since announced its own version of Eurovision entitled Intervision, despite a previous attempt to do this failing during the rule of the USSR.
5
Slovakia
Slovakia competed at Eurovision for decades before finally pulling out in 2021.
Debuting in 1994, the country had enjoyed a lot of success at the competition.
However, financial pressures forced them to sit out future iterations of Eurovision.
Turkey
Turkey pulled out of Eurovision in 2013, despite performing well at the competition.
Although they have not formally declared why they pulled out the competition, they have suggested that rule changes in 2013 prompted their exit.
As a result, they will not be returning in 2025.
Which countries have never competed at Eurovision?
Liechtenstein, Kosovo, the Faroe Islands and Greenland and even Vatican City have all never taken part in Eurovision and will not take part in 2025.
Often this can be due to a lack of interest from sponsors or from having a smaller population.
However, each country is eligible meaning they can absolutely take part if they choose to.
Is Israel competing in Eurovision 2025?
Israel has been confirmed to be taking part in the 2025 edition of Eurovision, despite being criticised for taking part just a year earlier.
The 2024 competitor from Israel, Eden Golan, was forced to change her original song which was entitled October Rain.
5
Eurovision’s organisers felt the song breached the competition’s commitment to neutrality, meaning Eden took to the stage with a song entitled Hurricane.
The country will be represented by Yuval Raphael at the 2025 competition and she will be performing a song entitled New Day Will Rise.
Yuval was a survivor of the October 7 attack, which saw Hamas fighters breaking into a festival and attacking partygoers.
The incident sparked a fierce conflict which has led critics to say that Israel should be disqualified.
Read More on The Sun
Artists from across the political spectrum have weighed in on Israel’s participation in the competition, with some musicians from Finland and Iceland calling for the country to be disqualified on account of the war in Gaza.
However, in 2024, an open letter calling for support in allowing Israel's participation in the contest, was signed by stars including Boy George and Sharon Osbourne.
Topics