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Cypriots show particularly strong confidence in the European Union’s ability to bolster security and defense, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. The findings indicate that public concern about safety remains high across Europe, while expectations for a stronger EU role in defense policy are growing.
Across the European Union, 52% of respondents say they trust the EU to enhance Europe’s security and defense capacity. In Cyprus, however, confidence is markedly higher: 73% of respondents expressed trust, placing the country among the most supportive member states.
The survey, carried out between January 5 and January 12, 2026, confirms that defense and security rank among Europeans’ top priorities. It also highlights the close connection citizens see between European space policy and broader security objectives. Cyprus stands out not only for its trust in the EU but also for the level of concern expressed by its public.
At the EU level, 68% of citizens believe their country faces security threats in the current international environment (27% strongly agree and 41% somewhat agree). The sense of risk is even more pronounced in Cyprus, where 76% share this view (23% strongly, 53% somewhat).
Concerns about personal safety follow a similar pattern. In the EU overall, 42% of respondents feel their own security is at risk to some degree. In Cyprus, that figure rises to 52%, reflecting heightened public anxiety.
When asked about defense spending, Europeans appear divided. About one-third (32%) think the EU is underinvesting, while 42% believe spending levels are roughly appropriate. Cypriot responses are slightly more favorable toward current EU spending: 26% say investment is insufficient, and 47% consider it about right.
Views on national spending in Cyprus show a similar balance. Roughly one quarter (26%) believe the country does not invest enough in defense and security, while just over half (51%) say spending is broadly adequate. Among Cypriots who already feel their country’s security is threatened, 29% think the EU’s investment is too low, slightly below the EU-wide figure of 32%.
The Cyprus sample included 513 residents aged 15 and older, within a total EU sample of 27,292 participants. Overall, the results point to a Cypriot public that is strongly supportive of an expanded EU role in defense and security, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
