Paradox Interactive has released Europa Universalis V: Across the Pillars, a paid Chronicle Pack for its historical grand strategy game that adds new content for Castile (later Spain), Morocco and Granada. It costs $19.99 (£16.99 or €19.99).
According to a release, the pack went on sale on October 28th 2026; it is also part of the Europa Universalis V: Premium Edition. A release trailer went out alongside the news. The free 1.4 ‘Rio Salado’ update for the base game launched the same day.
Grand strategy games put players in charge of a whole nation over decades or centuries. In Europa Universalis, that means steering a country's economy and diplomacy from the late medieval era into the early modern one. Wars come with it.
Across the Pillars is set at the southern tip of Iberia. Castile already holds most of the peninsula, the release says, while centuries of war have cut Marinid Morocco's and Granada's lands in Europe down to a fraction of what they were. Players decide who ends up controlling the region (and the waterway at the western end of the Mediterranean).
Two new Situations
The main addition is the Battle of the Strait, a new historical Situation about the fight between Castile, Marinid Morocco and Granada over what is left of Muslim rule in Iberia. It comes with new decisions, cabinet actions and country interactions, plus events built around the Strait of Gibraltar.
The winner moves on to the Golden Century, a second Situation with unique paths for Castile and Morocco. From there, the victor can push its power well beyond the region. European Dominance and Colonial Dominance are tracked, as are flashpoints in the area. Dozens of new events are included, along with the Crown of Al-Andalus government reform and a decision to restore Cordoba.
Iberian Union and new bureaucracies
The pack also reworks the Iberian Wedding scenario. Players can unite the thrones of the peninsula as either a centralized Iberian monarchy or a federal Iberian state, using new laws and policies. There are 12 new bureaucracy options drawn from Spanish and Portuguese history; eight more come from North African history.
Other additions include unique Expeditions (exclusive to this pack, with explorations, gold caravans and treasure fleets), new military orders for Iberian nations and dozens of new technological advances. New historical events cover Castile/Spain, Portugal, Aragon and Navarre on the Iberian side, with Morocco and Granada among the Maghrebi nations. Cosmetics get new unit and ship models, portraits, event art, monuments and Works of Art.
Nine songs join the soundtrack. Six are Castilian-themed pieces played on baroque instruments and sung in medieval Spanish; the other three are Moroccan-themed, inspired by 16th-century call-and-response songs and played on the guembri and qraqeb.
Free 1.4 Rio Salado update
Rio Salado is part of Paradox Tinto's ‘Grand Voyage’, the developer's effort to add free features and systems to Europa Universalis V. The release calls it ‘the biggest update yet’ in the game's first year.
It adds Expeditions, which are character-led missions to distant lands. It also reworks parts of Catholicism (religious orders, plus how cardinals are managed), improves dynastic gameplay and brings major changes to trade, according to the release.
Paradox Interactive develops and publishes strategy and management games for PC and consoles. Its portfolio includes Stellaris, Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, Cities: Skylines, Prison Architect, the Surviving games, Age of Wonders and Victoria. The company also owns the World of Darkness brand catalog.
The following was sent as a press release to Inven Global.
