What are the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5?

Choosing the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5 can be overwhelming, especially when you’re starting on a map full of potential nations. But not all starting positions are equal. Some are made to teach you the ropes without throwing you into chaos, while others test what you’ve learned once you’re ready for a bigger challenge.

That said, here are the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5.

Note: Parts of this article are subjective, and the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5 are based on the author’s personal experience and perspective.

---

Best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5

1) England

The colonial mechanics in EU5 are designed to reward players who plan early, and England’s naval edge makes it the perfect nation to kickstart your global empire (Image via Paradox Interactive)

England is one of the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5 for beginners. The country’s setup practically teaches you the basics of the game while giving you plenty of breathing room to experiment. You start the campaign embroiled in the Hundred Years’ War against France, which at first sounds like a nightmare, but it’s actually a great introduction to how wars, alliances, and diplomacy work.

England’s economy is solid from day one. Once you tweak your budget a bit, you’ll notice you’re making a comfortable profit without having to expand aggressively. The nation’s island geography gives you a natural defensive advantage, and investing in your navy early ensures that mainland Europe can’t touch you.

France doesn’t even begin with a proper navy, so you can easily dominate the surrounding seas. Economically, England has a balanced spread of resources, including coal, salt, iron, etc, which is enough to make it largely self-sufficient. Over time, you can shift your focus toward colonial expansion, for which England is uniquely positioned for.

Once you’ve stabilized your crown power and reduced the influence of the nobility, start investing in exploration ideas.

---

2) Portugal

Portugal is another strong pick and one of the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5, especially for those who want to dive into trade and exploration systems. You’ll rarely face early wars, giving you space to learn how to build and maintain a global economy.

The first few years focus on expanding coastal infrastructure and establishing trade routes. Portugal’s economy starts with basic but valuable resources like wool, lumber, and iron, which give a strong foundation for industrial growth.

Once you’re economically stable, you can start pushing into North Africa for quick conquests, securing ports and trade nodes that boost income even further. From there, exploration opens up vast opportunities.

Portugal naturally evolves into a colonial powerhouse, with its naval dominance and lieutenancy system allowing efficient control of overseas territories.

---

3) Norway

Once you’re comfortable managing stable nations like England or Portugal, Norway offers a different kind of challenge. It’s position in EU5 is one of quiet strength hidden behind apparent weakness. It begins small, under a union with Sweden, but that union can shift fast depending on how you manage diplomacy and timing.

While Sweden holds the senior position at first, a few political stumbles or lost wars on their part can flip the balance in your favor. Norway’s geography is its biggest strength and its biggest challenge. It’s isolated enough to avoid early aggression from major continental powers, but it also starts with limited land and economic options.

Your silver mine and wheat province will carry your economy early, but to truly grow, you’ll need to develop your capital region and build a navy. A strong fleet expands your proximity across the seas, letting you project influence and protect your trade routes.

Politics in Norway is tricky. The nobility starts extremely powerful, so building Crown Power should be your first priority. Move your national focus toward centralization to tighten control over your scattered territories. Once you’re stable, you can use your naval strength to dominate nearby waters, turning it into one of the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5.

---

4) Byzantium

Managing stability and cutting unnecessary expenses, like disbanding part of your standing army or fleet, can help you crawl back to financial health (Image via Paradox Interactive)

Byzantium is one of the ultimate tests as well as one of the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5. You begin surrounded by powerful enemies, buried in debt, and stuck with disloyal estates that drain your already weak economy. But it’s exactly this chaos that makes it so rewarding.

Your first and biggest problem is the Ottoman Empire breathing down your neck. Byzantium begins stronger than it looks, but you’ll need to act fast. Use your navy wisely; blocking the straits between Europe and Anatolia can save your empire in the early stages. Diplomacy is also critical here.

Strengthen ties with neighboring Orthodox powers or even Catholic allies who can help you survive the first Ottoman onslaught. Internally, you’ll need to rebuild from the ground up. Estates start with immense power, your crown authority is low, and your legitimacy is shaky.

Once your government stabilizes, expand north or west before turning your attention back toward reclaiming the Balkans and Anatolia.

---

That wraps up everything on the best nations to pick in Europa Universalis 5.

Read more articles below:

• Why GTA 6 should have more types of animals
• Where Winds Meet: Everything you need to know about the upcoming Wuxia open-world RPG
• Escape from Duckov: Stop Bleeding quest guide