EU-wide survey: Citizens seek enhanced EU role in protection amid global shifts 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

• 68% of EU citizens want the EU to play a greater role in protecting citizens against international crises and security risks 
• Nine out of ten Europeans citizens call on Member States to tackle current global challenges together (90%) and most believe the EU needs greater means (77%) to prevail in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape 
• Defence and security (37%) as well as competitiveness, economy and industry (32%) should be the EU’s focus, to reinforce its position in the world 
• To invest in what matters, 78% of EU citizens believe that more projects should be funded by the EU as a whole and 91% say the European Parliament should be properly informed and equipped to control EU spending 

The European Parliament’s latest Eurobarometer survey reveals citizens’ high expectations regarding the EU and its post-2027 budget.

In the midst of geopolitical uncertainty, the majority of Europeans think the EU should play a greater part in protecting its citizens against global crises and security risks (68%). Nine out of ten European citizens call for EU Member States to be more united (90%) and over three quarters believe that the EU needs more means to face the current global challenges (77%).

Citizens’ priorities reflect concern about the current political and economic situation

The EU needs to focus on defence and security (37%) and on competitiveness, economy and industry (32%) to reinforce its position in the world and address the current political and economic context, according to survey respondents. When asked about the issues the European Parliament should give priority to, inflation, rising prices and the cost of living (41%), defence and security (34%), and the fight against poverty and social exclusion (31%) come first. Getting inflation and the cost of living under control, was already a key issue in the last European elections, as shown by the EU post-electoral Eurobarometer survey, with the economic situation continuing to be a major concern for many Europeans.

Common financing for common tasks

To invest better in what matters, close to eight in ten Europeans believe that an increasing number of projects will need to be funded by the EU as a whole, rather than by Member States individually (78%).

Transparency is key

91% of citizens say that the European Parliament must have all the necessary information and means to control EU spending properly. In addition, 85% of Europeans, with a majority in all Member States, agree that the provision of funds to Member States should be conditional upon their upholding of the rule of law and democratic principles.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “EU citizens want Europe to focus on security and the economy. They look to the EU for stability and expect a strong and united European voice in today’s uncertain world. Our priorities and the EU’s next long-term budget must therefore allow the Union to tackle new geopolitical realities. Parliament has listened and now, we must put our money where our mouth is, invest in what matters and deliver for our citizens.”

EU membership makes a difference to citizens’ lives

Nearly three out of four respondents (72%) say that EU actions have an impact on their daily life, with half of them seeing the impact as ‘positive’ (50%), 31% as ‘neither particularly positive nor negative’ and 18% as ‘negative’.

The EU is regarded as a place of stability with 73% of Europeans saying that their country has benefited from being a member of the EU. The main reasons cited by respondents are the EU’s contribution to protecting peace and strengthening security (37%), improved cooperation between Member States (36%) and the contribution to economic growth (29%).

Full results can be found here.

Background

The European Parliament’s Spring 2025 Eurobarometer survey was carried out by Verian research agency from 5 to 29 May 2025 in all 27 EU Member States. The survey was conducted face-to-face, with video interviews (CAVI) used additionally in some Member States (Denmark, Malta, Netherlands, Finland and Sweden). A total of 26 410 interviews were conducted. The EU results were weighted according to the size of the population in each country.