The European Committee of the Regions has released the results of a new Flash Eurobarometer survey conducted between May and July 2025. The study gathered the views of European citizens on the priorities for the next long-term EU budget and compared national results to the EU average.
Housing emerges as a key issue in the Atlantic area. While 42% of EU citizens think the main focus should be the climate and energy transition, a clear majority in the Atlantic Member States—Portugal (70%), Spain (67%) and Ireland (79%)—believe affordable housing should take priority. French respondents are closer to the EU average (48%).
Views on climate action remain consistent across Europe. Citizens widely support measures to reduce energy consumption, such as improving building efficiency. However, only Portuguese respondents strongly highlighted nature conservation and urban greening initiatives.
Cohesion Policy seen as adding value. About one in four Europeans (24%) associate Cohesion Policy funding with stronger cross-border and regional cooperation, highlighting its unique contribution compared to other EU funding programmes.
These insights reveal regional diversity in citizens’ expectations and underline the importance of tailoring EU policies to local realities as the Union prepares its next long-term budget.
