In various EU member states, strong movements promoting secession from their respective nation state and seeking independence have emerged. These movements have gained in strength over the past years. In Scotland, an independence referendum is set for 18 September 2014, whereas the central government in Spain and the regional government in Catalonia are at odds over a potential referendum on Catalonian independence. In both cases, the proponents of independence are seeking continued EU membership after secession. These developments are clearly among the crucial challenges for the EU in the near future.