Trade Guide
Master the trade system in Europa Universalis V - from merchants to global trade empires
Trade Basics
Trade in EU5 flows through a network of trade nodes. Your goal is to control trade and direct it to your collection point for maximum income.
Trade Nodes
Fixed locations where trade value accumulates. Each province belongs to one node.
Trade Power
Your influence in a node. Comes from provinces, merchants, light ships, and buildings.
Trade Value
The money flowing through a node. Generated by province production and incoming trade.
💡 Key Concept
Trade flows in one direction only - from source nodes toward end nodes. You cannot push trade backward. Plan your expansion to control the flow toward your home trade node.
Merchants
Merchants are your primary tool for manipulating trade. You start with 2 and can gain more through ideas, missions, and trade companies.
Steering Trade
- • Directs trade toward a downstream node
- • Adds +10% trade power in the node
- • Best used in nodes you don't collect from
- • Chain merchants to create trade routes
Collecting Trade
- • Converts trade power to income
- • Auto-collect in your home node (no merchant needed)
- • -50% efficiency when collecting outside home node
- • Usually only collect in home node
💡 Merchant Strategy
For most nations: place all merchants on "steer trade" in upstream nodes, directing trade toward your home node. Only collect outside your home node if you have massive trade power there.
Trade Power Sources
📊 Main Sources
🔧 Modifiers
Key Trade Nodes
Some trade nodes are more valuable than others. End nodes (where trade cannot flow out) are especially powerful.
English Channel
End NodeRichest end node. Trade from Americas, Africa, and Europe flows here.
Key nations: England, Netherlands
Genoa
End NodeMediterranean end node. Collects from Africa and Middle East.
Key nations: Genoa, Spain, France
Venice
End NodeEastern Mediterranean trade. Silk Road goods end here.
Key nations: Venice, Austria
Sevilla
Major NodeGateway for colonial trade from Americas.
Key nations: Castile, Portugal
Lübeck
Major NodeBaltic trade hub. Rich in naval supplies.
Key nations: Denmark, Hansa
Constantinople
Major NodeCrossroads of Europe and Asia. Silk Road terminus.
Key nations: Ottomans, Byzantium
💡 Trade Optimization Tips
Control Your Home Node
Prioritize conquering provinces in your home trade node. This is where you collect.
Build Light Ships
Light ships protecting trade are very cost-effective. Build as many as you can maintain.
Upgrade Centers of Trade
Level 2 and 3 centers of trade provide massive trade power bonuses.
Chain Your Merchants
Place merchants in consecutive nodes to create efficient trade routes to your home node.
Trade Companies
In Africa and Asia, trade companies give extra merchants and trade power.
Embargo Rivals
Embargoing rivals reduces their trade power. Free and effective.
📖 Related Guides
Trade Discussion
Share your trade strategies