What is the Start & End Date for Europa Universalis 5?

Heading into Europa Universalis 5, one of the biggest questions players will have about the grand strategy game is what the start and end dates are. This determines the state of the map at the beginning of the game, the historical eras to expect, and gives players an end goal to work toward. On top of explaining what the start and end dates are for EU5, this guide will also give historical context for the start of the game.

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By Joe Grantham

What Is Europa Universalis 5's Start Date?

At the game's launch, there is only one start date for Europa Universalis 5, this being April 1st, 1337, which is firmly a medieval date. This is over a hundred years earlier than EU4's start date, and the lack of choice may be disappointing to players coming over from Paradox's other title, Crusader Kings 3, which boasts three start dates.

The State Of The World In 1337

The 14th century is easily one of the most disruptive in human history, with famous events happening left, right, and center in Europe and beyond.

The 'Hundred Years War' between the Kingdoms of England and France is about to begin.
The walls of Constantinople are yet to fall, but the Ottomans are present.
The Black Death is right around the corner, just a decade away.
The Golden Horde is the greatest threat on the map.
The Renaissance is just a few years off.
The Americas are yet to be explored by Europeans.
The wealthiest individual ever, Mansa Musa of Mali, recently died.
The Iberian Peninsula is split between Portugal, Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and Granada.
French dynasties rule in Navarre, Naples, and Hungary.
Crusader States are a thing of the past in the Levant, consumed by the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt.
The Habsburgs rule Austria.
Australia is unoccupied in game terms.

What Is Europa Universalis 5's End Date?

For those wondering how long they have to conquer the world via trade, diplomacy, or war, EU5's end date is 1837, exactly 500 years after the game starts.

At launch, there is no Game Rule to turn the end date off, but this could possibly be solved with mods.

1837 is the year that Queen Victoria ascended the throne, ushering in the period that would come to be known as the Victorian era. This is a time of industrial revolution and is the domain of another Paradox grand strategy game, Victoria 3, so it makes sense to end here.

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The 6 Ages Of Europa Universalis 5

Over the course of 500 years of gameplay, there are six eras with technology, politics, and the global landscape changing vastly over half a millennium. The six ages of Europa Universalis 5 are: