The new Eurobarometer survey, published a day before , shows that almost three quarters of Europeans believe that their country has benefited from being a member of .
According to the survey data, in a difficult global context, Europeans increasingly see the EU as a factor of stability, alongside their unprecedented support for a common defense and security policy.
Question: Is the EU a core of stability in an unstable world? (in green: Strongly Agree, in purple: Strongly Disagree, in black: LW/DA)
More than 7 out of 10 feel like EU citizens
Three-quarters of respondents (75%) say they feel like citizens of the EU, the highest ever recorded in spring 2025. Europeans strongly believe that the EU is a stabilizing force in an uncertain world.
Around eight in ten Europeans think the EU should diversify its trade relations (80%) and build partnerships with countries outside the EU (79%).
Question: Are you for or against a common defense and security policy between EU member states? (in green: For, in purple: Against, in black: LW/DA)
The majority of Europeans trust the EU at a rate of 51%, while in Greece the rate is 36%. Regarding the overall image of the EU, 45% of Europeans have a positive view, compared to 29% in Greece.
Question: How much do you trust the EU? (in green: Tend to Agree, in purple: Tend to Disagree, in black: LW/DA)
Is the Russian invasion of Ukraine a threat to Europe?
While 76% of European respondents agree that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a threat to EU security, 55% are satisfied with the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and 76% agree that the EU should continue to support Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved.
Question: How satisfied are you with Europe’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine? (in green: Very Satisfied, in purple: Not Satisfied, in black: R/DA)
What worries the Europeans?
Europeans’ concerns are increasingly shaped by global developments.
At EU level, the conflict in the Middle East is now the main concern with 25%, while in Greece the figure reaches 38%. This is followed by the international situation and energy efficiency with 23% and 15% for the EU, and 38% and 24% for Greece.
The conflict in the Middle East is now the main concern of EU citizens (green answers for March/April 2026, purple answers for October/November 2025)
According to the survey, EU citizens’ negative opinion of the United States rose sharply by 14 percentage points to 74%. Meanwhile, 61% have a negative opinion of China and 83% of Russia.
High support for the euro
Support for the euro in the EU remains at 74%, the highest level since its introduction in January 2002. In the euro area, this figure is even higher, with more than eight in ten respondents expressing support for the single currency.
The biggest problem of Europeans is the cost of living, with a rate of 36%, while in Greece it reaches 53%, followed by the economic situation with 18% for the EU and 26% for Greece.
Despite global concerns such as conflict in the Middle East and economic uncertainty, support for the euro remains strong. Citizens believe that the main priorities of the EU budget should be health, employment and social protection, followed by security and education.
The cost of living the biggest problem of Europeans (in green the answers for March/April 2026, in purple the answers for October/November 2025)
In the EU’s priorities, Europeans choose to ensure peace and stability at a rate of 44%, while in Greece 55%. The creation of jobs for Europeans is chosen by 25% and in Greece by 40%.
When it comes to priorities for investment from the EU budget, more than two in five EU citizens would like the funds to be spent primarily on employment, social affairs and public health. Security and defense come second with 38%, while education, training, youth, culture and media come third with 37%.
