The EBU announced on 7 November 2017 that forty - two countries would participate in the contest. Russia confirmed their return after withdrawing from the previous edition, while Macedonia 's participation was provisionally blocked by the EBU due to unpaid debts by its national broadcaster. However, ten days later, the EBU announced that Macedonia would be allowed to enter the contest, raising the number of participating countries to forty - three, equaling the highest number of participants with the 2008 and 2011 editions.
how many countries are taking part in eurovision 2018
forty - two