Dutch support for EU at record high, security seen as key benefit

Dutch citizens are among the strongest supporters of the European Union, with 85 percent believing the Netherlands benefits from its membership—significantly higher than the EU-wide average of 74 percent, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published Tuesday. This is the highest approval recorded since the question was first asked in 1983.

The survey, conducted between Jan. 9 and Feb. 4, 2025, also shows that Dutch respondents view the EU as a crucial force for peace and security. Half of Dutch participants (50 percent) identified the EU’s role in maintaining peace and strengthening security as the primary benefit of membership—far above the 35 percent average across the bloc. However, improving cooperation between EU countries remains the top reason for Dutch support, with 60 percent citing it as a key advantage, compared to 34 percent in the EU overall.

Despite their positive outlook on the EU’s role, Dutch citizens remain skeptical about their influence in EU decision-making. Only 5 percent of Dutch respondents feel that people have significant influence over EU policies, much lower than the 13 percent average across all member states.

Dutch citizens also overwhelmingly support a stronger EU role in security and defense. When asked about areas where the EU should strengthen its global position, 44 percent of Dutch respondents pointed to defense and security, compared to 36 percent of Europeans overall. Energy independence was also a major concern, with 35 percent of Dutch respondents backing a greater EU role in this area, compared to 27 percent across the bloc.

Beyond security, economic issues remain a top priority. While 46 percent of Dutch respondents said economic growth is one of the main benefits of EU membership—compared to 28 percent across the EU—many are concerned about the future. A third (33 percent) of EU citizens expect their standard of living to decline in the next five years, a figure that has risen by seven points since mid-2024.

A significant majority of Dutch respondents believe the EU must become more unified to tackle global challenges. The survey found that 93 percent of Dutch citizens support greater unity among EU member states, slightly above the already high EU average of 89 percent.

There is also strong belief in the need for a more powerful EU, with 84 percent of Dutch respondents saying the EU should play a greater role in protecting citizens from global crises and security threats—higher than the 66 percent average across the bloc. Among young people, this figure rises to 70 percent.

Support for a stronger European Parliament has increased in the Netherlands, in line with a broader EU trend. The survey found that 62 percent of EU citizens want the European Parliament to take on a more prominent role—a six-point rise since last year. The EU’s image is also improving, with 50 percent of Europeans viewing it positively, up two points since mid-2024 and five points since late 2023.