The European Economic Area came into being in 1994 by an agreement concluded between the European Union (EU) and the so-called EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The EEA states form a common market.

The EEA contracting parties are the 28 EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom. Plus: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Switzerland is neither a member of the EU nor of the EEA, but associated with the EU by a number of bilateral agreements. In many respects, Swiss nationals are therefore equal to EU citizens