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

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Many players curious about the upcoming strategy game, Europa Universalis 5, want to know when the game begins and ends. These dates define the initial world map, the historical period you’ll experience, and your ultimate objectives. This guide will explain the start and end dates for EU5 and provide some historical background to help you understand the game’s beginning.

What Is Europa Universalis 5‘s Start Date?

As a huge fan, I was excited to jump into Europa Universalis 5 when it launched, but I noticed it only lets you start on one specific date: April 1st, 1337. That puts you right in the middle of the medieval period! It’s actually over a hundred years earlier than where EU4 began, and honestly, as someone who enjoys having options like in Crusader Kings 3 – which gives you three different start dates – I was a little bummed there wasn’t more choice.

The State Of The World In 1337

The 1300s were a time of huge upheaval and change throughout the world, especially in Europe. Many significant events happened during this period.

  • 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?

If you’re curious about how long you have to achieve global dominance through trade, diplomacy, or military force in Europa Universalis V, the game ends in the year 1837 – precisely 500 years after it begins.

The game doesn’t currently have a way to disable the end date, but players might be able to fix this using modifications, or ‘mods’.

As a huge history fan, I’m so excited about Victoria 3! The game starts in 1837, the year Queen Victoria became queen, and that really kicks off the Victorian era. It was such a time of massive change with the Industrial Revolution, and it just feels right that Paradox chose this period for their new grand strategy game. It’s a perfect starting point, honestly!

The 6 Ages Of Europa Universalis 5

In the 500 years you’ll play Europa Universalis V, the world will change dramatically through advancements in technology, shifts in politics, and evolving global power. These changes are divided into six distinct eras:

  • Age of Traditions: Ends May 1242
  • Age of Renaissance: Ends January 1437
  • Age of Discovery: Ends January 1537
  • Age of Reformation: Ends January 1637
  • Age of Absolutism: Ends January 1737
  • Age of Revolutions: Ends December 1836

A console command in the game EU5 lets players change the date, so they can jump ahead in time and experience later eras sooner.

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2025-11-05 03:04