Europa Universalis 5 is by no means easy, even by usual Grand Strategy game standards. There are menus upon menus, a myriad of terms and mechanics to learn, multiple map modes, and so much more, giving players unmatched depth in their conquests of the world. To help players navigate the UI and speed up gameplay, the best thing to do is learn the most important hotkeys for EU5. These keyboard shortcuts bypass unnecessary clicks, especially for common features that will be used time and time again over four centuries of gameplay.

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Players are also encouraged to make their own shortcuts by going to Menu, Settings, Input Bindings. There are many empty slots and available keys.

General Hotkeys In Europa Universalis 5

Pause/Play

Spacebar

Close

ESC

Increase Speed

=

Decrease Speed

-

Speed 1

Num. Pad 1

Speed 2

Num. Pad 2

Speed 3

Num. Pad 3

Speed 4

Num. Pad 4

Speed 5

Num. Pad 5

Disable GUI

CTRL + F9

Max Zoom Out

TAB

Open Console

Grave (`)

To use Console Commands in EU5, players will need to enable debug mode. Without doing so, this hotkey won't work.

All Panel Hotkeys

Europa Universalis 5 - Advances Panel

The panels on the left of the screen are the bread and butter of Europa Universalis 5, and each has its own F key shortcut for quicker navigation, given how important they are.

Government

F1

Economy

F2

Production

F3

Society

F4

Diplomacy

F5

Military

F6

Geopolitics

F7

Advances

F8

Map Hotkeys In Europa Universalis 5

Europa Universalis 5 - Population Map

Looking at the world through the lens of different maps is essential for strategy and planning in EU5, and while there are many more hidden away, the most common have their own hotkeys, all using a different letter in combination with the CTRL key.

Toggle Map Mode Menu

M

Terrain (Default)

CTRL + Q

Political

CTRL + W

Raw Materials

CTRL + R

Control

CTRL + T

Proximity to Capital

CTRL + Y

Markets

CTRL + S

Population

CTRL + D

Cultures

CTRL + F

Religions

CTRL + G

Diplomacy

CTRL + H

Tactical

CTRL + J

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Gameplay Hotkeys In Europa Universalis 5

Europa Universalis 5 - Ships

The following hotkeys are used for actual gameplay in Europa Universalis 5​​​​​, such as managing military units. These will be particularly important to learn if players like to let the game run at high speeds or if they play online.

Got to Capital

Home

Find Province

F

Consolidate

K

Detach Siege

J

Detach Damaged Ship

Q

Split in Half

H

Reorganize Units

B

Merge Units

G

Macro Builder

Z

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Europa Universalis V Tag Page Cover Art
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Grand Strategy
Strategy
Simulation
Real-Time Strategy
War & Military
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
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Released
November 4, 2025
Developer(s)
Paradox Tinto
Publisher(s)
Paradox Interactive
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
Grand Strategy, Strategy, Simulation, Real-Time Strategy, War & Military