Since the first European Championship in 1978, a total of 20 countries have been represented, 15 of them in the top section. This year (2012), 12 countries are represented with two bands from each of Norway (defending European champions), Netherlands (host nation) and Austria.

Including this year, the 'ranking' of countries is as follows:

35 years - Switzerland (plus 2 in B section), Wales, Norway (plus 2 in B section), England (plus 1 in B section)
34 - Belgium (missed 1984)
33 - Netherlands (missed 1996 and also 1978 when band withdrew, plus 1 in B section), Scotland (missed 1994 and 1996)
23 - Denmark
17 - Northern Ireland
15 - Sweden
6 - Luxembourg, France
5 - Austria (plus 3 in B section)
1 - Republic of Ireland, Finland

The inaugural B section contest was held in 1994 and, in addition to the appearances by bands from Switzerland, Norway, England, Netherlands and Austria indicated above, these are the countries that have sent bands to compete:

10 - Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy
8 - Austria
7 - France
6 - Northern Ireland
5 - Faroe Islands, Finland
3 - Sweden
2 - Slovakia, Lithuania