Euroscope 13th wave

Introduction

Polling Europe’s July 2026 Euroscope report, based on 5,048 online interviews, captures European public opinion on enlargement, EU governance, and economic policy priorities.

I. Geopolitical Landscape: Enlargement Debates

Ukraine’s EU Membership: Europeans remain split, with 49% “In favor” of welcoming Ukraine as an EU member state (whether immediately or after reforms) versus 39% who are “Not now or against,” while support for immediate accession is strongest in Spain (32%) and weakest in Poland (8%). Support is highest among S&D, Renew Europe (RE), and EPP voters, while Patriots and ESN voters are the most opposed, with ESN showing only 21% in favor.

UK Rejoining the EU: A clear majority of 67% would be “In favor” of the United Kingdom rejoining the EU under the same rules as other member states, led by Italy (77%) and Poland (74%), while 19% remain “Opposed”. Support peaks among S&D (80%) and ECR (78%) voters, whereas ESN voters are the most divided, with 46% in favor and 37% opposed.

II. EU Governance: Institutional Reform

Views on the EU’s Institutional System: A large majority of 73% believe the EU’s institutional system “needs reforms,” split between “slight changes” (39%) and “radical reforms” (34%), while only 15% consider it “adequate”. Italy shows the highest demand for reform (84%), while France records the lowest institutional confidence with only 5% finding the system adequate. Support for radical reform is most pronounced among ESN (63%) and Patriots (50%) voters, compared to just 24% among Greens.

III. Economic and Market Priorities

EU Tax on Big Tech: Europeans are narrowly divided, with 40% overall “Disagreeing” with an EU-level tax on big tech companies versus 39% who “Agree,” though opinions vary sharply by country, with Germany showing the highest agreement (45%) and Italy the highest disagreement (46%). Agreement is strongest among GUE/NGL (51%) and S&D (49%) voters, while ESN voters are the most opposed (62% disagree).

EU Inc. Corporate Model: A strong 69% consider the proposed EU Inc. simplified corporate model “Important,” whether for reducing bureaucratic burden (36%) or boosting EU economic integration (33%), with Renew Europe (85%) and EPP (81%) voters most supportive. Italy shows the highest overall support at 74%.

Willingness to Pay More for European Industry: A narrow 48% would be willing to pay slightly higher prices to support the return of strategic industrial production to Europe, against 40% who would not, with Renew Europe (62%) and Greens (60%) voters most willing, and ESN voters least (41%).

Strategic Procurement Preference: For strategic industries, 38% favor giving preferential access to public contracts to “European companies and trusted non-EU partners,” ahead of “Only European companies” (26%) and open competition regardless of origin (18%). This preference for European-plus-partners access is strongest among Renew Europe voters (50%).