Europa Universalis IV Save File Location
Here's exactly where Europa Universalis IV stores your save files on PC, how cloud sync works, and how to back them up before modding or switching computers.
Save file locations
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV\save games
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV\save games\ . Saves are single .eu4 files. Ironman saves live here too and end in .eu4.
Same publisher folder under your home directory
Europa Universalis IV is PC-only (no console version). On macOS/Linux the save lives in the equivalent user folder for this publisher; on Windows use the path above.
Cloud saves
Yes, through Steam Cloud when enabled. With cloud on and the same account, EU4 saves sync to the new PC; copy the save games folder by hand only if cloud is off.
Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Europa Universalis IV save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.
How to open the save folder
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Paste %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV\save games and press Enter.
- Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
Europa Universalis IV save won't load or says it's corrupt
Restore an earlier autosave from the same folder. EU4 keeps timed autosaves; cloud sync adds an extra copy.
My Europa Universalis IV save is missing or the folder looks empty
You may be looking in the wrong place — the folder is exact (watch Documents vs AppData). If Documents is synced to OneDrive, also check %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive\Documents. If it's still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy.
Europa Universalis IV progress rolled back after a cloud conflict
When Steam reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of lost hours. If unsure, disable cloud, back up the local folder, then re-enable it.
FAQ
Where is the Europa Universalis IV save file on PC?
It's at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV\save games (files end in .eu4). Press Win+R, paste that path, and press Enter to open it.
How do I fix a corrupted Europa Universalis IV save?
Restore an earlier autosave from the same folder. EU4 keeps timed autosaves; cloud sync adds an extra copy.
How do I back up Europa Universalis IV saves before modding?
Copy the entire save folder at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis IV\save games somewhere safe before adding mods, so you can restore it if a mod breaks the save.
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Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.