Europe and its institutions are perceived with greater openness by many Spaniards today, reflecting a shift that aligns with broader European sentiment. The results around national identity and European affiliation emerged from the winter fieldwork of the Standard Eurobarometer 96, conducted in late January through mid-February. The data hints at a more favorable view of Europe among Spaniards, possibly signaling a aging of nationalist feelings as economic and social ties to the European Union deepen.
The first section, focused on “Economic situation and future prospects,” is followed by chapters on “trust in European institutions, media and citizens,” and finally “Priorities of European institutions: Response to the epidemic and economic recovery; Foreign and Defense Policy.” The survey indicates that Spaniards identify health as the most pressing issue at 42%, with unemployment concerns at 32%—a notable drop from the prior year. Optimism about personal employment and household finances remains robust, with 73% and 62% respectively expressing positive outlooks. When compared to the EU average, Spain’s health system earns a comparatively high level of trust, underscoring the country’s confidence in its health services. The rise of price inflation is still a concern, ranking third at 27%, and inflation remains a central issue for many Europeans overall (21 percentage points higher than the European average).
In the realm of media trust, Europeans generally express higher confidence across the board. Spaniards show the strongest trust in radio, print media, and television, yet retain the highest degree of skepticism toward media, relative to the wider union. Radio holds 45% trust among Spaniards, with the European average at 56%; print media shows 37% trust among Spaniards versus 49% for Europeans. Television and online networks follow in third place with 32% trust. This pattern reflects a nuanced perception where media outlets are widely used but also scrutinized more intensely by Spanish listeners and readers.
Institutions also reveal a clear trust dynamic. The European Union emerges as the most trusted institution at 45%, while national political actors such as political parties, Parliament, and the government register negative confidence balances, though with some improvement over time. These shifting trust dynamics illustrate a broader trend: supranational entities often enjoy higher credibility than domestic political structures in some European publics.
Regarding self-perception as European citizens, 81% of Spaniards consider themselves European, compared with 71% across the union. Personal identity also shows regional attachments: 95% feel connected to their city or town, while 87% remain tied to their country. Across the European average, the balance is reversed, with 91% feeling attached to their home country and 89% to their town. Only 3% see themselves as European Union citizens more than as European citizens overall, highlighting a nuanced sense of multiple, overlapping identities beyond geographical boundaries.
When it comes to policy and policy-making, Spaniards generally express stronger support for greater EU-level decision-making. About 81% favor more EU foreign and security policy alignment, 83% back stronger immigration and energy cooperation, and 76% endorse more authority for the Union in general. In contrast, the broader European cohort is somewhat more cautious, with 57% agreeing and 35% disagreeing on increasing EU-level decision-making, though the overall balance remains positive. These attitudes suggest a continental trend toward integrating policy responses, counterbalanced by a degree of caution in interstate governance dynamics.
The poll was conducted before major geopolitical shifts, including the onset of conflicts that affect European outlooks. The expectation at the time focused on a recovery path in the near term and the potential effectiveness of EU-backed financial instruments designed to support growth. The general sentiment pointed to a constructive view of economic resilience and collective action, even amid regional uncertainties and changing global dynamics.