A qualification round, known as the semi-final, was introduced for the 2004 Contest. This semi-final was held on the Wednesday during Eurovision Week, and was a programme similar in format to the grand final, whose time slot remained 19:00 UTC on the Saturday. The highest-placed songs from the semi-final would qualify for the grand final, while the lower-placed songs were out of the competition for that year. From 2005–2007, the semi-final programme was held on the Thursday of Eurovision Week.
The ten most highly placed non-Big Four countries in the grand final were guaranteed a place in the following year’s grand final, without the need to participate in next year’s semi. If, for example, Germany came in the top ten, the eleventh-placed non-Big-Four country would automatically qualify for the next year’s grand final. The remaining countries—which had not automatically qualified for the grand final—had to enter the semi.
At the 50th annual meeting of the EBU reference group in September 2007, it was decided that from the 2008 Contest onwards two semi-finals would be held. From 2008 onwards, the scoreboard position of any previous years has not been relevant, and—save for the automatic qualifiers—all participating countries have had to participate in the semi-finals, regardless of their previous year’s scoreboard position. The only countries which automatically qualify for the grand final are the host country, and the Big Five: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, who continue to enjoy their protected status.
In each of the semi-finals the voting is conducted among those countries which participate in that semi-final in question. With regards to the automatic grand final qualifiers, which do not participate in the semi-finals, a draw is conducted to determine in which semi-final each of them will be allowed to vote. In contrast, every participating country in a particular year may vote in the Saturday grand final — whether their song qualified from the semi or not.
After the votes have been cast in each semi-final, the countries which received the most votes—and will therefore proceed to the grand final on Saturday—are announced by name by the presenters. Full voting results are withheld until after the grand final, whereupon they are published on the EBU’s website.
Finali Nazionali.
Where to watch?
- ON TELEVISION: If your national public broadcaster is organising a televised national selection for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, you can most likely find the program schedule on their website.
- ONLINE: Several public broadcasters are streaming their national selection events over the internet, some of them our own, online TV channel ESCTV. You can find our programme schedule for the upcoming period, and watch previous events once more, in the ESCTV player.. START THE WEB TV!
How do the national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest work?: Each country is de facto represented by its respective public broadcaster. It is at easch broadcaster’s sole discretion to determine who will represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest.
There are three common ways to select a participant for the Eurovision Song Contest:
- Through a televised national selection: Through one or more television shows, the public can take part in the selection of the country’s representative. The most successfull televised national selection format is Melodifestivalen in Sweden, which features four live shows in different cities across the country, a second-chance show and a spectacular final;
- Through a full internal selection: Artist and song are being selected internally by a committee appointed by the broadcaster;
- Through a mixed format: Often, an artist is appointed by the broadcaster, while the public can help choose their song during a live television show;
The EBU strongly encourages participating broadcasters to engage the public with the selection of a participant for the Eurovision Song Contest.
National selection events. This section concentrates solely on the National Finals held each year in most countries to select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
| Country | Year (Barrato: Nessuna partecipazione) |
| 🇳🇱 The Netherlands
63 (53 finals) 8/18 Times qualified |
• National final (48): Nationaal Songfestival: 1956–1960, 1962–1979, 1981–1984, 1986–1990, 1992–1994, 1996–2001, 2003–2006, 2009–2012 • Internal selection (15): 1961, 1980, 2007–2008, 2013–2024 |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland
63 (52 finals) 7/18 Times qualified |
• National final (38): Concours Eurovision: 1956–1957, 1959–1961, 1963–1970, 1972–1993, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004; Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow: 2011–2018 • Internal selection (18): 1958, 1962, 1971, 1994, 1996–1997, 2005–2010, 2019–2024 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgio
64 (54 finals) 8/18 Times qualified |
• National final (51): Eurosong: 1956–1963, 1965–1984, 1986–1989, 1991–1993, 1995–1996, 1998–2000, 2002, 2004–2006, 2008, 2011–2014, 2016, 2023 • Internal selection: 1964, 1985, 1990, 2003, 2007, 2009–2010, 2015, 2017–2022, 2024 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany
66 (66) Automatic qualifier |
• National final (56): 1956–1958, 1960–1965, 1969–1973, 1975–1976, 1978–1992, 1996–2008, 2022; Unser Lied: 2010–2019, 2023 • Internal selection (12): 1959, 1966–1968, 1974, 1977, 1993–1995, 2009, 2020–2021 |
| 🇫🇷 France
65 (65) Automatic qualifier |
• National final (22): 1957-1958 (song), 1961, 1970, 1973, 1976–1979, 1980–1981, 1983–1987, 1999–2000, 2005, 2006 (artist), 2007, 2014; Destination Eurovision: 2018–2019; Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez! • Internal selection (41): 1956, 1957-1958 (artist), 1959, 1960, 1962–1969, 1971–1972, 1975, 1988–1998, 2001–2004, 2006 (song), 2008–2013, 2015–2017, 2020, 2023 |
 Luxembourg
37 (37) – |
• National final (4): 1976, 1978, 1989, 1992, 2024 • Internal selection (33): 1956–1958, 1960–1975, 1977, 1979–1988, 1990–1991, 1993 |
 Italy
48 (48) Automatic qualifier |
• National final (49): Festival di Sanremo: 1956–1969, 1987–1990, 1992–1993, 1997, 2011–2013, 2015–2024; Canzonissima: 1970–1975 • Internal selection (10): 1967–1980, 1983–1985, 1992, 2014 |
 United Kingdom
65 (65) Automatic qualifier |
• National final (57): Festival of British Popular Songs: 1957; A Song for Europe: 1959–1963, 1964–1975, 1976–1991, 1992–1994, 1995, 2000–2003; The Great British Song Contest: 1996–1999; Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up: 2004–2007; Eurovision: Your Decision: 2008; Eurovision: Your Country Needs You: 2009–2010; Eurovision: You Decide: 2016–2019 • Internal selection (9): 1964–1975 (artista), 1992–1994 (artista), 2009–2010 (canzone), 2011–2015, 2020 |
 Austria
55 (47 finals) 6/13 Times qualified |
• National final (16): 1981–1984, 1990–1991, 1993–1994, 2002–2005, 2011–2013, 2015–2016 • Internal selection (40): 1957–1968, 1971–1972, 1976–1980, 1985–1989, 1992, 1995–1997, 1999–2000, 2007, 2014, 2017–2024 |
 Denmark
51 (44 finals) 10/17 Times qualified |
• National final (53): Dansk Melodi Grand Prix: 1957–1966, 1978–1993, 1995–1997, 1999–2002, 2004–2024 • Internal selection (0): – |
 Sweden
62 (61 finals) 13/14 Times qualified |
• National final (62): Melodifestivalen: 1959–1963, 1965–1969, 1971–1975, 1977–2024 • Internal selection (1): 1958 |
 Monaco
24 (21 finals) 0/3 Times qualified |
• National final (0): – • Internal selection (24): 1959–1979, 2004–2006 |
 Norway
61 (58 finals) 13/16 Times qualified |
• National final (51): Melodi Grand Prix: 1960–1969, 1971–1990, 1992–2001, 2003–2024 • Internal selection (1): 1991 |
 Spain
62 (62) Automatic qualifier |
• National final (29): Final nacional: 1961–1962, 1964–1965, 1969 (song), 1970, 1971 (artist), 1976, 1979, 2005, 2007–2010, 2012 (song), 2014; Eurocanción: 2000–2001; Operación Triunfo (OT): 2002–2004, 2018–2019; Destino Eurovisión: 2011; 2013; 2021 (song); Objetivo Eurovisión: 2016–2017; Benidorm Fest: 2022–2024 • Internal selection (38): 1963, 1966–1968, 1969 (artist), 1971 (song), 1972–1975, 1977–1999, 2006, 2012–2013 (artist), 2015, 2020, 2021 (artist) |
 Finland
56 (48 finals) 9/17 Times qualified |
• National final (48): Euroviisukarsinta: 1961–1969, 1971–1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004–2011; Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK): 2012–2024 (song selection only in 2018 and 2019) • Internal selection (2): 2018–2019 (artist) |
  Yugoslavia
27 (27) – |
• National final (28): Jugovizija: 1961–1972, 1981–1992; Opatija Festival: 1973–1976 • Internal selection (0): – |
 Portugal
54 (45 finals) 7/16 Times qualified |
• National final (54): Festival da Canção: 1964–1969, 1971–1999, 2001, 2003–2004, 2006–2012, 2014–2015, 2017–2024 • Internal selection (1): 2005 |
 Ireland
56 (45 finals) 6/17 Times qualified |
• National final (51): National Song Contest: 1965–1982, 1984–1986; Eurosong: 1987–2001; You’re a Star: 2003–2005; Eurosong (as part of The Late Late Show): 2006–2007, 2008–2015, 2022–2023 • Internal selection (6): 2016–2021 |
 Malta
35 (26 finals) 8/17 Times qualified |
• National final (35): Malta Song for Europe: 1971–1972, 1975, 1991–2010; Malta Eurovision Song Contest: 2011–2015, 2016 (artist), 2017–2018, 2022 (artist), 2023–2024; X Factor Malta: 2019–2020 (artist) • Internal selection (5): 2016 (song), 2019-2020 (song), 2021, 2022 (song) |
 Israel
45 (38 finals) 10/17 Times qualifed |
• National final (35): Israel Song Festival: 1978–1979; Kdam Eurovision: 1981–1989, 1991–1993, 1995–1996, 2001, 2005–2006, 2008–2011, 2013, 2014; HaKokhav HaBa: 2015 (artist), 2016, 2017–2020; 2024 (artist)); HaShir HaBa L’Eurovizion: 2020 (song); HaShir Shelanu L’Eurovizion: 2021 (song); The X Factor Israel: 2022 • Internal selection (20): 1973–1977, 1990, 1998–2000, 2002–2004, 2007, 2012, 2015; 2017–2019 (song), 2021 (artist), 2023 |
 Greece
43 (40 finals) 13/16 Times qualified |
• National final (22): Ellinikós Telikós: 1979–1980, 1982–1983, 1986–1991, 1998, 2001–2003, 2007–2012; Eurosong – A MAD Show: 2013–2015 • Internal selection (23): 1974, 1976–1978, 1981, 1985, 1992–1997, 2004–2006, 2016–2023 |
 Turkey
34 (33 finals) 6/7 Times qualified |
• National final (29): 1975, 1978–1979, 1980–1993, 1995–2002, 2004–2005 • Internal selection (8): 2003, 2006–2012 |
 Morocco
1 (1) – |
• National final (0): – • Internal selection (1): 1980 |
 Cyprus
39 (32 finals) 10/17 Times qualified |
• National final (21): 1984, 1990–2000, 2004–2006, 2008–2012, 2015 • Internal selection (20): 1981–1983, 1985–1989, 2002–2003, 2007, 2013, 2016–2023 |
 Iceland
35 (27 finals) 10/18 Times qualified |
• National final (29): Söngvakeppnin: 1986–1994, 2000–2001, 2003, 2006–2020, 2022–2024 • Internal selection (7): 1995–1997, 1999, 2004–2005, 2021 |
 Slovenia
25 (15 finali) 7/19 Times qualified |
National final: Slovenski izbor za Pesem Evrovizije: 1993, 1995; EMA: 1996–1999, 2001–2012, 2014–2020, 2021 (canzone) Ι Internal selection: 2013, 2021 (artista) |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
19 (18 finals) 7/8 Times qualified |
• National final (11): BH Eurosong: 1993–1997, 1999, 2001–2005 • Internal selection (8): 2006–2012, 2016 |
 Croatia
28 (19 finals) 7/16 Times qualified |
• National final (24): Dora: 1993–2011, 2019–2023 • Internal selection (5): 2012–2013, 2016–2018 |
 Estonia
28 (18 finals) 9/19 Times qualified |
• National final (30): Eurolaul: 1993–1994, 1996–2008; Eesti Laul: 2009–2024 • Internal selection (0): – |
 Romania
23 (19 finals) 11/15 Times qualified |
National final: Selecția Națională: 1993–1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002–2021 Internal selection: – |
 Slovacchia
7 (3 finali) 0/4 Times qualified |
National final: Bratislavská lýra: 1998; Eurosong: 2009–2010 Internal selection: 1994, 1996, 2011–2012 |
 Lithuania
20 (13 finali) 11/18 Times qualified |
National final: 1999, 2001–2002, 2004–2008; Lietuvos Dainų Daina: 2009; Eurovizija: 2010–2012; “Eurovizijos” dainų konkurso nacionalinė atranka: 2013–2019; Pabandom iš naujo!: 2020-2021 Internal selection: 1994 |
 Hungary
17 (14 finals) 10/13 Times qualified |
• National final (13): 1993–1994, 1996–1997, 2005, 2007–2008; A Dal: 2012–2019 • Internal selection (5): 1995, 1998, 2009, 2011 |
 Russia
22 (21 finali) 11/12 Times qualified |
National final: 1994, 1996, 2005, 2008–2010, 2012 Internal selection: 1995, 1997, 2000–2004, 2006–2007, 2011, 2013–2016, 2018–2020 |
 Poland
22 (14 finali) 7/16 Times qualified |
National final: Krajowe Eliminacje do Konkursu Piosenki Eurowizji: 2003–2004; Piosenka dla Europy: 2006–2009; Krajowe Eliminacje: 2010–2011, 2016–2018; Szansa na Sukces: 2020 Internal selection: 1994–1999, 2001, 2005, 2014–2015, 2019 |
 North Macedonia
19 (9 finali) 6/18 Times qualified |
National final: Skopje Fest: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 (canzone), 2008–2011, 2015; Nacionalen Evrosong: 2005–2007 Internal selection: 2004 (artist), 2012–2014, 2016–2020 |
 Latvia
20 (10 finali) 5/18 Times qualified |
National final: Eirodziesma: 2000–2012; Dziesma: 2013–2014; Supernova: 2015–2020 Internal selection: 2021 |
 Ukraine
15 (15 finali) 13/13 Times qualified |
National final: 2005–2014; Vidbir: 2016–2018, 2020 Internal selection: 2003–2004, 2021 |
 Belarus
16 (6 finali) 6/16 Times qualified |
National final: Eurofest: 2004–2009, 2012–2018, 2020; Nationalny Otbor: 2019 Internal selection: 2010–2011 |
 Andorra
6 (0 finali) 0/6 Times qualified |
National final: 12 Punts: 2004–2005, 2009 Internal selection: 2006–2008 |
 Albania
16 (9 finali) 10/18 Times qualified |
National final: Festivali i Këngës: 2004–2014, 2015 (artista), 2016–2021 Internal selection: 2015 (canzone) |
| Serbia and Montenegro
2 (2 finali) 1/1 Times qualified |
National final: Evropesma: 2004–2005 Internal selection: – |
 Moldova
15 (10 finali) 12/17 Times qualified |
National final: O melodie pentru Europa: 2005–2006, 2008–2019; Finala națională: 2020 Internal selection: 2007, 2021 |
 Bulgaria
12 (4 finali) 5/14 Times qualified |
National final: 2005–2012, 2013 (canzone) Internal selection: 2013 (artista), 2016–2018, 2020–2021 |
| Lebanon
– |
National final: – Internal selection: – |
 Armenia
13 (10 finali) 11/14 Times qualified |
National final: 2007–2011, 2013; Depi Evratesil: 2017-2018, 2020 Internal selection: 2006, 2014–2016, 2019 |
 Georgia
12 (7 finali) 7/15 Times qualified |
National final: 2007 (canzone), 2008, 2010 (canzone), 2011–2012, 2015, 2016 (canzone), 2017; Georgian Idol: 2019–2020 (artista) Internal selection: 2007 (artista), 2010 (artista), 2013–2014, 2016 (artista), 2018, 2019–2020 (canzone), 2021 |
 Montenegro
11 (2 finali) 2/12 Times qualified |
National final: Montevizija: 2007, 2008 (artista), 2018–2019 Internal selection: 2008 (canzone), 2009, 2012–2017 |
 Serbia
12 (9 finali) 11/14 Times qualified |
National final: Beovizija: 2007–2009, 2018–2020; Mini selection of songs from internally selected composers: 2010, 2011, 2015; Beosong: 2013 Internal selection: 2012, 2016–2017, 2021 (artista) |
 Czechia
8 (3 finali) 5/11 Times qualified |
National final: Eurosong: 2007–2008; Eurovision Song CZ: 2018–2020 Internal selection: 2009, 2015–2017, 2021 |
 San Marino
10 (2 finali) 3/13 Times qualified |
National final: 1 in 360: 2018; Digital Battle: 2020 (canzone) Internal selection: 2008, 2011–2017, 2019–2021 |
 Azerbaijan
12 (11 finali) 12/14 Times qualified |
National final: Land Of Fire: 2008, 2010; Milli Seçim Turu: 2011–2012 (artista), 2013; Böyük Səhnə: 2014 (artista) Internal selection: 2009, 2011–2012 (canzone), 2014 (canzone), 2015–2021 |
 Australia
5 (5 finali) 6/7 Times qualified |
National final: Eurovision – Australia Decides:2019–2020, 2022 Internal selection: 2015–2018, 2021 |
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