CIS - Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas

• 65.3% say they are "very or quite satisfied with these 40 years of EU membership, according to the study 'Opinions and attitudes towards the European Union' carried out by the CIS
• 47.6% admit that they feel as much a "European citizen as a Spaniard"
• 29.7% agree that the economy and employment are the most important issues to address for the future of Europe.
• 77.1% agree "very much or quite a bit" with the idea that those with the most wealth in the EU should pay more taxes.

The CIS has conducted a study on opinions and attitudes toward the European Union, which asks about knowledge of the institutions, the degree of belonging to, and the level of trust one has in the EU.

40 years since Spain's Accession Treaty

73.2% of Spaniards believe that EU membership has been "rather positive" for Spain, but 20.4% believe it has been "rather negative." In contrast, 3.6% believe it is "neither positive nor negative."
On a personal level, the indicators are similar: 73.8% believe it has been "rather positive," and 20% "rather negative." Furthermore, 65.3% say they are "very or fairly satisfied with these 40 years of membership in the European Union," and 32.6% are "somewhat or not at all" satisfied.
70.2% of Spaniards admit that news about the EU interests them "a lot or quite a lot," while 28.4% are "a little or not at all." Regarding whether or not they are informed about matters related to the EU, 48.9% say they are "very or quite informed," and 50.3% say they are "a little or not at all."

85% of citizens agree that the decisions made in the EU affect us "a lot or quite a lot," while only 11.3% believe they affect us "a little or not at all."

Regarding the sense of belonging, 47.6% admit they feel as much a "European citizen as a Spanish citizen," 41.6% primarily a "Spanish citizen," and 4.9% primarily a "European citizen."

Better or worse for Spain

81% of Spaniards say that EU membership is "rather beneficial" for culture, 77.3% for business opportunities, 73.5% for Spain's global presence, and 73.3% for job opportunities. Conversely, 53% of Spaniards say it is "rather detrimental" to the prices of goods and consumption, 36% for wages, and 27.6% for the development of the most disadvantaged regions.

European Institutions

The European Parliament is the best-known institution among Spaniards (95.1%), followed by the European Central Bank (92.9%) and the European Commission in third place (86%).

As for the trust generated by institutions, all pass, but the Council of the European Union leads the way with 5.92 out of 10, followed by the European Central Bank with 5.91, the European Commission with 5.86, the European Council with 5.83, and the European Parliament - which is the best known - is the worst rated with 5.62.

Future of the EU

29.7% consider the economy and employment to be the most important issues for the future of Europe, followed by democracy, its values and the rule of law (19.9%) and social protection and the welfare state for 16.4%.

87.3% support a policy of common rights and obligations in the EU, 81.7% agree that the common European foreign policy should be strengthened, and 78.4% believe that financial contributions should be made to fund a European welfare state.

Fiscal policy in the EU

77.1% of respondents "strongly or somewhat agree" with the idea that those with the most wealth in the EU should pay more taxes, while 26.8% "slightly or not at all agree."

Furthermore, 69.5% agree "strongly or somewhat" with the European Union agreeing on common fiscal rules for all member countries, while 27.1% agree "slightly or not at all."

Here in Spain

On the other hand, 71.2% strongly or somewhat agree that "The taxes we Spaniards pay should be the same throughout the country, regardless of the autonomous community of residence." While 26.8% disagree.

Regarding Spain's public resources, 81.7% of respondents believe that "too few" resources are allocated to housing, 78.5% say that too few resources are allocated to scientific research, and 77.5% to healthcare.

These and other data are collected in this study conducted from June 25 to 30 with 2,427 interviews.

Press release