Europeans are increasingly worried about their security and are looking to the European Union to play a stronger role in defence, according to the latest
Eurobarometer survey published ahead of the Munich Security Conference.
The findings reveal a continent unsettled by the current international climate, with security concerns now firmly embedded in public opinion across the EU.
A rising sense of threat
More than two thirds of Europeans (68%) believe their country is currently under threat. The perception is particularly strong in France, where 80% of respondents share this view, followed by the Netherlands and Denmark (both 77%), and Cyprus and Germany (75%). Beyond national security, anxiety is also personal: 42% of EU citizens say they feel their own safety is at risk.
Confidence in the EU’s role
Despite these concerns, trust in Europe’s collective capacity remains relatively solid. A slim majority of respondents (52%) say they trust the European Union to strengthen security and defence. Confidence is especially high in Luxembourg (76%), Portugal (74%), Cyprus (73%) and Lithuania (71%), suggesting strong support for a coordinated European approach.
Broad backing for defence spending
Public opinion is also firmly behind investment in defence. Nearly three quarters of Europeans (74%) either approve of current EU defence spending or believe it should be increased. Support is particularly pronounced in Portugal (89%), Finland (83%), Lithuania (80%), Spain (80%) and Denmark (78%), reflecting heightened awareness of security challenges, especially in regions closer to geopolitical fault lines.
Space policy seen as strategic asset
Security and defence are now viewed as the top priority for EU space policy by 53% of respondents, ahead of environmental and climate objectives (36%) and industrial competitiveness and growth (31%). Younger Europeans, in particular, recognise the economic value of EU space programmes, with 55% highlighting their positive impact on jobs and innovation.
Context and next steps
The Flash Eurobarometer survey, conducted in early January 2026, gathered responses from 27,292 citizens across all 27 EU Member States. It assessed perceptions of security, trust in the EU as a defence actor, and support for greater collective investment, while also measuring awareness of EU space programmes.
The results are expected to inform future initiatives by the European Commission, providing an evidence base for policy decisions at a time when security has become one of Europe’s defining public concerns. Photo by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Wikimedia commons.