EditEU citizens rally behind stronger Defence Union ahead of pivotal Munich Security Conference
Key results highlight a consensus that the EU must do more to safeguard its security in an increasingly volatile world
On the eve of the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC), the European Commission released a timely Eurobarometer survey revealing heightened public support for a more autonomous and unified EU defence posture.
Published on Friday, the findings underscore Europeans’ growing perception of external threats, particularly Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and a desire for the bloc to reduce reliance on the United States amid transatlantic uncertainties. This data arrives as global leaders convene in Munich from Friday to Sunday, where debates on Europe’s security independence are expected to dominate, against a backdrop of U.S. policy shifts under President Donald Trump and escalating geopolitical rivalries.
The Special Eurobarometer on security and defence, conducted between 3 and 28 January 2026, polled 26,523 EU citizens aged 15 and older through a mix of face-to-face and online interviews across all 27 member states. It builds on previous surveys, showing a steady rise in pro-defence sentiments since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Key results highlight a consensus that the EU must do more to safeguard its security in an increasingly volatile world.
Key findings paint a picture of heightened anxiety: 68% of Europeans believe their country is under threat, with peaks in France (80%), the Netherlands and Denmark (77% each), and Cyprus and Germany (75% each).
Personal safety concerns are also notable, with 42% feeling at risk. These perceptions vary regionally, reflecting proximity to conflicts – Eastern and Northern states like Lithuania and Finland show stronger support for defence measures, likely due to direct exposure to Russian hybrid threats.
Trust in the EU’s ability to strengthen security and defence stands at 52%, with higher confidence in Luxembourg (76%), Portugal (74%), Cyprus (73%), and Lithuania (71%). This moderate trust level suggests room for improvement, as citizens seek more decisive EU action in a world marked by armed conflicts, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns.
On investment, 74% approve of the current EU defence spending or advocate for increases, with overwhelming support in Portugal (89%), Finland (83%), Lithuania (80%), Spain (80%), and Denmark (78%). Uncertainty persists, with 10% unsure about national spending and 12% about EU-level allocations, indicating a need for greater transparency.
A distinctive focus of this survey is the role of space in defence and security. 53% of respondents prioritize security and defence as a key area for EU space policy, ahead of environment and climate (36%) and economic competitiveness (31%). Among younger respondents, 55% recognize the positive economic impact of EU space programs like Galileo and Copernicus, which support navigation, earth observation, and secure communications – vital for military and civilian resilience.
These results align with broader trends in EU public opinion, where defence has risen as a priority since 2022, with earlier surveys showing 77% support for a common defence policy and 80% viewing Russia’s war as a direct EU threat.
The emphasis on space reflects growing awareness of its dual-use potential, as seen in EU initiatives like the European Defence Fund and Space Programme, which aim to counter dependencies on non-EU technologies amid U.S.-China competition.
The survey’s release is strategically timed for the MSC, the premier global forum for security policy since 1963, often called the “Davos of defence.” This year’s theme, “Under Destruction” from the Munich Security Report, critiques disruptive forces eroding international norms, with sessions on NATO’s future, Ukraine support, Middle East stability, cyber threats, AI in warfare, and Indo-Pacific dynamics.
Expectations are elevated, with over 70 heads of state, 140 ministers, and figures like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attending.
Caption: Policemen stand in front of the hotel ‘Bayerischer Hof’, the venue of the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC), in Munich, Germany, 12 February 2026. The 62nd Munich Security Conference, running from 13 to 15 February 2026, is expected to host around 50 world leaders. EPA/RONALD WITTEK
Updated: February 13, 2026 - 07:06
