Associated state

An associated state is a smaller country or area that works closely with a larger country. This special relationship lets the smaller partner share important jobs like protecting its safety, handling relationships with other countries, and managing money. This idea is called free association.

The rules for free association are written down in special documents. For example, the Cook Islands and Niue have their own agreements with New Zealand. These papers explain how these countries work together.

Free associated states can be independent or not, but free association does not decide if a place is a real country under international rules. It is more like a friendly help after a country was once ruled by another, or like two different groups sharing some power. The smaller group lets the bigger one help with important things like safety, while still getting good deals on trade.

Origin of the concept

The idea of an associated state started after World War II. Some Western countries gave a little bit of self-government to their colonies. For example, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos became 'associated states' in the French Union. This let them make some of their own decisions and talk to a few other countries, but France still controlled most things like the military and money.

Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States since the Spanish–American War. Its Spanish name means "Free Associated State of Puerto Rico," but it is not considered an associated state under U.S. law. It has its own government but follows the U.S. Constitution.

States currently in a formal association

The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing and work closely with New Zealand. They make their own decisions and act like independent countries in world matters. However, they have not joined the United Nations because New Zealand believes this could change their citizens’ rights. In 2025, leaders from the Cook Islands said the United Nations told them they did not meet all the rules to join, and any decision to join would need a vote by the people and talks with New Zealand. Both Niue and the Cook Islands also control their own rules for who can live there.

The Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau have a special agreement with the United States since the years 1986, 1986, and 1994. This lets them control their own lands and make their own rules. But they let the United States help with protection and give money and services to their people. The United States also uses these islands for important military bases.

Former associated states

A formal association existed under the West Indies Act 1967 between the United Kingdom and six former British colonies in the Caribbean: Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent. Each state had control over its own internal matters, but the UK handled foreign relations and defense. Over time, all these states chose to become fully independent, except for Anguilla, which chose to remain under British control.

Before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the area known as the Tatar ASSR declared itself the "sovereign state" of Tatarstan. In 1994, Tatarstan and the Russian Federation agreed that Tatarstan would be "associated" with Russia. Through this agreement, Tatarstan shared some responsibilities like certain foreign relations and defense with Russia. However, changes to Tatarstan's constitution in 2002 made it more closely tied to Russia.

Proposed associated states

See also: Puerto Rico status referendums

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico calls itself a 'free associated state' in its constitution, but it is still a territory of the United States. Some people and leaders want Puerto Rico to sign a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. This would let Puerto Rico decide its own laws and policies while still having help from the U.S. In 2017, people in Puerto Rico voted on whether to become independent or join in free association with the U.S. In 2022, the U.S. Congress talked about holding another vote where free association could be an option.

Guam

Leaders of Guam, a U.S. territory, wanted to let people decide its future status in 2011. One option was to join in free association, like some Pacific islands do with the U.S. But a court decided that only certain people could vote, and this was unfair. So, the vote did not happen.

Faroe Islands

People in the Faroe Islands have talked about changing their relationship with Denmark. They want more control over their own laws and money while still having Denmark help with things like defense.

Tokelau

Tokelau, a territory of New Zealand, voted twice—once in 2006 and again in 2007—on whether to join New Zealand in free association. But each time, not enough people voted yes to make it happen.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

In 1984, people on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands voted on whether to join Australia in free association. Most chose to become part of Australia instead.

New Caledonia

To solve problems in New Caledonia, the leader of France suggested it become an associated state. In 2026, people in New Caledonia will vote on whether to change their status and get more control over their own affairs.

Basque Country

In 2003, a leader in the Basque Country suggested changing how the region works with Spain. The idea was to let the Basque Country make its own decisions while still being part of Spain. But Spain did not agree to this idea.

Bangsamoro

In 2008, leaders in the southern Philippines talked about creating a new government area called the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. This would let the area make its own rules while still being part of the Philippines. But the Philippines' highest court said this was not allowed under their rules.

Tobago

Sometimes, people on Tobago, the smaller island of Trinidad and Tobago, want more control over their island. Some suggest they could have a special agreement with Trinidad while still being part of the same country.

Abkhazia and Transnistria

Leaders in Abkhazia and Transnistria say they want to join with Russia if they become independent from Georgia and Moldova. In 2006, people in Transnistria voted to want this, but other countries did not recognize the vote.

Other comparable relationships

Other situations exist where one country has influence over another smaller political area. Dependent territories and the United Kingdom's Crown dependencies are examples of this. These areas have their own political systems and often manage their own internal affairs, but they do not have full control over all decisions.

Some fully independent countries also choose to give up certain powers to other countries. This usually involves foreign affairs and defense, meaning they work closely with another country in these areas.

States currently ceding power to another state

Further information: Suzerainty

States formerly ceding power to another state

Iceland, once part of Denmark, became mostly independent in 1918. It shared its foreign policy with Denmark until 1944, when it fully became its own republic.

Bhutan, which was once under the protection of British India, agreed in 1949 to let India help with its foreign relations. This created a loose partnership. In 2007, Bhutan updated this agreement and no longer needed India's guidance on foreign policy.

Microstates as modern protected states

Some small countries, called microstates, choose to share parts of their control with bigger countries. This helps protect them and supports their economy and politics, even though they are very small. Countries like Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco, Vatican City, Andorra, Niue, the Cook Islands, and Palau are examples of these microstates.