The latest Eurobarometer survey by the European Parliament highlights citizens’ high expectations of the EU and the EU budget beyond 2027.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, most Europeans (68%) believe that the EU should play a greater role in protecting citizens from global crises and security risks. Ninety per cent of respondents want Member States to act more cohesively, and 77% believe that the EU needs more resources to tackle current global challenges.
In Spain, the percentage of citizens who want the EU to play a greater role in protecting European citizens rises to 81%, thirteen points above the European average. The vast majority of Spaniards (94%) also believe that Member States should be more united, and eight out of ten (82%) think that the EU needs more resources to tackle current challenges.
Citizens’ priorities reflect concern about the political and economic situation.
According to respondents, the EU should focus its attention on defence and security (37%) and competitiveness, the economy and industry (32%) in order to strengthen its global position and address the current political and economic context. When asked what issues the European Parliament should prioritise, respondents cited inflation, rising prices and the cost of living (41%), defence and security (34%) and the fight against poverty and social exclusion (31%). As shown by the Eurobarometer post-election survey, inflation and the cost of living were already central issues in the last European elections. Furthermore, the economic situation remains a major concern for many Europeans.
Spaniards agree that the European Union should focus on competitiveness, the economy and industry (33%) to strengthen its position in the world, although they believe that the EU should prioritise education and research (42%). In third place is security and defence (30%), which is up ten points from the last survey conducted between January and February of this year.
When asked about the issues that the European Parliament should prioritise, Spaniards point to greater support for public health (43%), inflation, rising prices and the cost of living (42%), and support for the economy and job creation (38%). Although it is not yet among the top priorities, as is the case at European level, security and defence rose eight points compared to the previous Eurobarometer survey in winter 2025 and now ranks fifth (22%).
The next long-term EU budget
In order to invest in what really matters, 78% of Europeans believe that the EU should increasingly fund projects, rather than each Member State individually.
91% of citizens believe that the European Parliament should have all the information and resources necessary to properly monitor EU spending. In addition, 85% of Europeans (the majority in all Member States) are in favour of the EU making the granting of funds to Member States conditional on respect for the rule of law and democratic principles.
In the words of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola: “European citizens want Europe to focus on security and the economy. They expect the European Union to provide stability and a strong, united voice for Europe in today’s uncertain world. That is why our priorities and the European Union’s next long-term budget must address the new geopolitical realities. Parliament has listened, and we must back up our words with deeds, invest in what matters and deliver for our citizens.”
Being part of the EU changes citizens’ daily lives
Almost three out of four respondents (72%) say that EU actions have an impact on their daily lives. Half consider the impact to be ‘positive’, 31% believe it to be ‘neither positive nor negative’ and 18% describe it as ‘negative’.
Europeans perceive the EU as a stable place: 73% say their country has benefited from EU membership. According to respondents, these benefits are largely due to the EU’s contribution to protecting peace and strengthening security (37%), improving cooperation between Member States (36%) and contributing to economic growth (29%).
Almost three out of four Spaniards (72%) also believe that the actions of the European Union have an impact on their daily lives. In addition, nearly half (44%) consider this impact to be ‘positive’, while 36% consider it to be ‘neither positive nor negative’ and 19% describe it as ‘negative’.
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of Spain’s entry into the European Union, which will be celebrated on 1 January 2026, almost eight out of ten Spaniards believe that Spain has benefited from EU membership (76%). The main reasons cited are: contribution to economic development (37%), contribution to maintaining peace and strengthening security (29%) and improved cooperation between Member States (26%).
The Spring 2025 Eurobarometer survey, conducted by the research agency Verian on behalf of the European Parliament, was carried out from 5 to 29 May 2025 in the 27 EU Member States. The survey was conducted face-to-face, although in some countries (Denmark, Malta, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden) computer-assisted video interviews (CAVI) were also carried out. A total of 26,410 interviews were conducted. The EU results were weighted according to the population of each country.
More information: European Parliament
Publicaciones relacionadas:
European citizens want the EU to protect them and to act as one
Eurobarometer: record trust in EU and strong support for euro and defence policy.
Eurobarometer: Europeans approve EU’s response to the war in Ukraine
MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discussing a common European future
New screening rules for foreign investment in the EU
Leave a Reply