The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) revealed the official provisional list of participants for the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Kiev, Ukraine. 41 countries participate, which is one more than initially 'promised' by the EBU.

The provisional rules for the 2005 contest say that only 40 countries can participate. Svante Stockselius, Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, explained to esctoday.com what happens with that extra country: “First of all, countries can still withdraw until 15th December. This means that one or more countries can withdraw and the limit of 40 countries won't be reached. If, after 15th December, appears that 41 countries want to participate, we might make an exception as it's only one country or have a draw under the 5 new countries”, Stockselius explained.

All countries that participated this year join again for 2005. Hungary returns after an absence of seven years. New countries joining the Eurovision Song Contest are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Lebanon and Moldova.

Eurovision Song Contest 2005 Qualifier round (19th May, 2005) | 27
Andorra
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria (NEW!)
Croatia
Czech Republic (NEW!)
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
FYR Macedonia
Hungary (returns, last participation in 1998)
Ireland
Iceland
Israel
Latvia
Lebanon (NEW!)
Lithuania
Monaco
Moldova (NEW!)
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Swizerland

Eurovision Song Contest 2005 Final (21st May, 2005) | 14
Albania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cyprus
Germany (BIG4)
France (BIG4)
Greece
Malta
Ukraine (winner 2004)
Russia
Serbia & Montenegro
Spain (BIG4)
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom (BIG4)

The 50th Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Kiev, Ukraine. The qualifier round is scheduled for 19th May, the final for 21st May.