Nicosia, Cyprus. Nearly two thirds of Cypriots believe European security is strengthened through the European Union’s institutional mechanisms, according to a Eurobarometer survey published on Friday. The findings also show Cypriots report a high perception of threat and above-average confidence in the EU’s defence role.
Threat perception and confidence in the EU
The European Commission said the survey’s most notable result was that more than two thirds of Europeans, 68 per cent, believe their country is under threat.
In Cyprus, 75 per cent of respondents said they feel the country is under threat, placing it among the member states with the highest threat perception, behind France at 80 per cent and Denmark and the Netherlands at 77 per cent each.
Cypriots also expressed greater confidence than the EU average in the bloc’s ability to strengthen Europe’s defence and security, with 73 per cent in Cyprus compared with 52 per cent across the EU.
At the same time, 76 per cent of Cypriots said they are concerned about international threats facing the Republic, compared with an EU average of 68 per cent regarding threats to respondents’ home countries.
Views on defence spending
On defence spending, 51 per cent of Cypriot respondents said they believe the EU is investing sufficient resources in defence and security. However, 26 per cent said Cyprus itself does not allocate enough funds.
Regarding EU-level investment, 47 per cent of Cypriots said the bloc is investing the right amount, while 26 per cent said it is not investing enough. The corresponding EU averages were 42 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively.
Survey methodology
The survey was conducted between January 5 and 12, 2026, with a sample of 513 Cypriot residents aged 15 and over and a total of 27,292 respondents across all EU member states.
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