As we are approaching Eurovision week we thought it’s a good time to remember all the countries that gave us memorable performances but don’t take part in the contest anymore. It is a big list so grab a brew and enjoy!
Andorra
Andorra made its Eurovision debut in 2004. With total of 6 entries, it is the only country to have never participated in a final, since it has never qualified from the semi-finals. Andorra’s last entry was in 2009 due to budget restrictions.
Belarus
Belarus first entered the contest in 2004 and last participated in 2019 with a total of 16 entries. Their EBU membership was suspended on 28th of May 2021 and hasn’t been renewed since.
Bosnia
Bosnia made its Eurovision debut in 1993 and last participated in 2016, counting a total of 19 entries. Bosnia achieved 5 top 10 results and their best result was in 2006 with Hari Mata Hari and the song ‘Lejla’, which finished 3rd.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria first participated in the contest in 2005. Their best result was in 2017 with Kristian Kostov and the song ‘Beautiful Mess’, which finished 2nd and achieved the second highest points in Eurovision history. Their last entry was in 2022 due to financial reasons.
Hungary
Hungary counts in total 17 entries in the contest, from 1994 until 2019. The reason for withdrawal is the rise of an anti-LGBTQ+ government in the country which doesn’t support Eurovision.
Monaco
Monaco made its Eurovision debut in 1959 and counts in total 24 entries, with the last participation in 2006. They made the decision to withdraw from the contest after stating that Monaco doesn’t stand a chance of qualifying to the final due to the regional voting patterns in the contest.
Montenegro
Montenegro made its Eurovision debut in 2007. It previously participated as part of Yugoslavia (1961-1992) and Serbia and Montenegro (2004-2006). The last entry from Montenegro was in 2022 due to financial issues and lack of interest from sponsors.
Morocco
Morocco only participated in Eurovision once. In 1980 it finished second to last, and after these disappointing results they decided not to participate again in the contest. It was the first country that performed in Arabic language.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia made its debut in 1998 and its last appearance in 2022, with a total of 21 entries. The best results for North Macedonia were achieved in 2019 with Tamara Todevska and the song ‘Proud’, which finished 7th and won the jury vote. After failing to qualify in 2021 and 2022 they decided to withdraw from the contest.
Romania
Romania’s first entry was in 1994. It counts in total 23 entries, with the last one in 2023. They decided to withdraw from the contest after failing to qualify for the final in 4 out its latest 5 participations.
Russia
Russia made its Eurovision debut in 1994 and its last entry in 2021, with a total of 23 entries. In 2022 they were excluded from the contests due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and since then their EBU membership has been suspended.
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro only counts 2 Eurovision entries (2004 & 2005). The country doesn’t exist anymore -since then the countries have participated in the contest separately, making their independent debuts in 2007.
Slovakia
Slovakia first entered the contest in 1994 and counts in total 7 entries. They have been absent for a while and returned in 2009, with the last entry in 2012. They withdrew due to having failed to qualify for the final every year since its return in 2009.
Turkey
Turkey made its Eurovision debut in 1975, with 34 entries in total. Turkey won the contest once in 2003 with Sertab Erener and the song ‘Every way that I can’. Their last appearance in the contest was in 2012, and since then they haven’t returned. That was due to dissatisfaction with the rules of the contest.
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia started participating in the contest in 1961 and its last entry was in 1992 with a total of 27 entries. Yugoslavia won the contest in 1989 with Riva and the song ‘Rock Me’. After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1993 the countries participate independently in the contest (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia).
And that completes the list of the countries. Which country do you miss the most in the contest? Let us know!
