Europa Universalis V’s Premium Edition bundles the base game with a set of add-ons scheduled through 2026, plus an instant cosmetic pack that unlocks on purchase. It’s designed for players who plan to spend time with regional story content without piecemeal buying later. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you get, how it compares to the standard edition and the Premium Upgrade, and the system requirements to keep in mind.
Premium Edition content (what you get and when)
| Item | Type | Availability | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Sites | Cosmetic | Instant unlock | Eight historical holy sites placed on the game map. |
| Fate of the Phoenix | Immersion Pack | Q2 2026 | Byzantine-focused content with tools to counter the Ottoman rise, a path to try to heal the church split, and ambitions to reclaim Roman prestige. |
| Across the Pillars | Chronicle Pack | Q3 2026 | Iberian and Maghrebi arc featuring Castile and Morocco vying over the peninsula and the Strait of Gibraltar. |
| The Auld Alliance | Chronicle Pack | Q4 2026 | France and Scotland flavor content around their historic partnership against England, with nation-specific scenarios. |
All four items are part of the Premium Edition bundle and are tied to your account; the cosmetic content is immediate, while the three packs arrive in the stated 2026 windows.
Editions and pricing (Premium Edition vs. Premium Upgrade vs. Standard)
| Option | Includes base game | Bundled content | List price | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Base Game) | Yes | Base game only | $59.99 | New players who want only the core game. |
| Premium Edition | Yes | Sacred Sites (instant), Fate of the Phoenix (Q2 2026), Across the Pillars (Q3 2026), The Auld Alliance (Q4 2026) | $84.99 | New players who want the base game plus the 2026 content pipeline and the instant cosmetic pack. |
| Premium Upgrade (DLC) | No | Same four items as Premium Edition (adds on to base game) | $39.99 | Players who already own the base game and want the same content bundle. |
Functionally, Premium Edition and Premium Upgrade deliver the same add-ons. The difference is whether you need the base game included (Premium Edition) or you’re adding on to an existing copy (Premium Upgrade).
What kind of game you’re buying
Europa Universalis V is a grand strategy game spanning nearly five centuries. You guide a nation’s diplomacy, economy, warfare, and logistics in a dynamic historical simulation that changes across eras. The Premium Edition doesn’t alter the core ruleset; it simply pre-bundles regional content that expands specific nations and theaters, and grants a cosmetic map bonus immediately.
- Developer: Paradox Tinto
- Modes: Single-player and multiplayer
- Platform: Windows via Steam
Localization includes English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Turkish.
PC system requirements
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Home 64-bit | Windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i7‑8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i7‑14700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
| Memory | 16GB RAM | 32GB RAM |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580 (8GB) | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB) |
Buy the Premium Edition on Steam
You can purchase Europa Universalis V on Steam, where the store listing includes the Premium Edition bundle option and the standard base game. If you already own the base game, don’t rebuy—the Premium Upgrade below is the add-on you want instead.
Open Europa Universalis V on Steam
Already own the base game? Use the Premium Upgrade
If the base game is in your library, the Premium Upgrade delivers the same four items as the Premium Edition: the instant Sacred Sites cosmetic and the three scheduled DLC packs in 2026. It’s a single purchase that attaches to your existing install.
Buy the Premium Upgrade on Steam
Release timing and what unlocks today
Europa Universalis V is available on Windows PC. Premium Edition buyers get Sacred Sites immediately; the three content packs are slated for Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2026. That means you can start playing now with the cosmetic map additions, then return for the regional story content on the published schedule.
Who should choose the Premium Edition
- New players planning a long campaign: Bundling now is simpler and cheaper than buying the three 2026 packs individually later.
- Returning EU veterans who want focused nation flavor: The 2026 packs target Byzantium, Iberia/Maghreb, and France/Scotland.
- Collectors who want immediate cosmetics: Sacred Sites unlocks right away and doesn’t affect balance.
If you prefer to sample the core systems first, the base game remains the lowest-cost entry point, and you can upgrade later with the Premium Upgrade if you enjoy the campaign trajectory.
Whether you opt for the Premium Edition or start with the base game, EU V maintains the series’ emphasis on long-horizon strategy—shifting alliances, resource constraints, and logistics that evolve century to century. The Premium bundle simply locks in a year of regional content and adds an immediate visual flourish to the map.
