How to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest?

In the lead up to the Eurovision Song Contest, national selections take place in the represented countries. These national selections are being organized by the respective national public broadcasters who are Active Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In the United Kingdom, the BBC is taking care of the national selection, in Sweden it's SVT, in Germany it's NDR, etc.

Good to know

First of all, it is important to know that the EBU is not involved in the national selections. It is entirely up to the participating broadcasters to decide how they pick their entry. However, the EBU does demand full transparency on the chosen procedure
In most countries, televised national selections take place, and usually anyone can send in songs. A selection committee then picks the songs that will take part in the national selection, and a jury or viewers (or a mix of both) decide upon the winner
Some broadcasters pick their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest internally. A selection committee then picks the representing artists, and sometimes also the song to be performed

Sending in your song

To take part in the Eurovision Song Contest, you need to win a national selection or be selected by one of the participating broadcasters. Everything starts with sending in your song!

To find out how to represent your own country in the Eurovision Song Contest, keep an eye on announcements made by your national public broadcaster. Usually, these announcements are made available through their website, and include details on how to send in your song
To find out how to represent another country in the Eurovision Song Contest, keep an eye on announcements made by other national public broadcasters. Usually, these announcements are made available through their websites, and include details on how to send in your song. Note that not all broadcasters accept songs from foreign artists, songwriters and composers
If there is no public broadcaster in your country taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest, it is not possible to represent your country. To take part in the Eurovision Song Contest, you would have to enter your song for nomination in another country. Should you be selected to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest, you will then of course represent the respective country

Note that most broadcasters set their deadlines to submit songs somewhere between September and December.

If you sent in your song, the respective public broadcaster will inform you whether you have been selected for the national final, or not. From there, everything speaks for itself; you will have to win the national selection to represent the respective country at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Can you help?

No, we cannot help you. The EBU does not keep a record of submission deadlines and national selection rules of the respective participating countries. For questions about national selections, please contact the respective public broadcaster.

To Europe's greatest artists, upcoming stars and hidden talents; good luck! We are looking forward to see the best of you at the Eurovision Song Contest.