The organizers of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest have conducted the Semi-Final Allocation Draw, to determine which country would take part in which of the two Semi-Finals. It is the first time that two Semi-Finals are taking place in the lead up to the Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. The draw was broadcast live in about ten countries and through Eurovision.tv...'s esctv.

The draw for the actual running order will take place on the 17th of March, during the annual Heads of Delegation meeting, in Belgrade, Serbia.

The following countries will be represented in the first Semi-Final, on Tuesday, 20th of May: Montenegro, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, the Netherlands, Romania, Moldova, San Marino, Slovenia, Norway, Belgium, Andorra, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia was drawn as spare country from pot 5.

The following countries will be represented in the second Semi-Final, on Thursday, 22nd of May: Croatia, Denmark, Bulgaria, Portugal, Ukraine, Switzerland, FYR Macedonia, Iceland, Cyprus, Latvia, Belarus, Hungary, Albania, Sweden, Turkey, Lithuania, Georgia and Czech Republic. Malta was drawn as spare country from pot 6.

Again, it is important to emphasize that the draw for the running order will take place on the 17th of March, during the annual Heads of Delegation meeting, in Belgrade, Serbia.

It was also determined by draw that Germany and Spain will be obliged to broadcast the first Semi-Final live and to vote. France and the United Kingdom will be broadcasting the second Semi-Final, as well as take part in the voting. Host country Serbia will broadcast both Semi-Finals, and has been drawn to vote in the second Semi-Final.