The main aim of the thesis is to estimate the effect of joining the European Union on the Visegrad group countries. The growth effects were estimated for the GDP per capita and the GDP components of the Visegrad group countries by using the synthetic control method. The results of the analysis show that the membership in the European Union had a positive effect on the GDP per capita of three countries, Czech Republic, Slovakia and for the last treated years, Poland. The results revealed negative effect of the membership on the GDP per capita in Hungary. The analysis also showed that the net export per capita was the main driving force of the GDP per capita growth in the Visegrad Group countries, gained by the increased trade with the European Union members and the single market accession. The results for the rest of the GDP components were inconclusive and mostly statistically insignificant.

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