German support for rapid Ukrainian EU membership falls to 41%, EU-wide 47%
A Bertelsmann Stiftung poll of 16,795 people in all EU member states found 83% of Ukrainians want their country to join the EU in the coming years, against 47% of EU citizens. In Germany, support fell to 41%.
Support falls in Germany and across the EU
A Bertelsmann Stiftung poll published on Tuesday, 13 October, shows that support for Ukraine joining the EU in the coming years has fallen since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The foundation used its Eupinions public opinion tool to commission a representative survey of 16,795 people in all EU member states, carried out in June 2026. In Germany, 41% backed rapid accession in June 2026, down from 61% in March 2022, a decline of 20 percentage points, while 59% were opposed. Across the EU, support fell from 69% in March 2022 to 47% in the June survey, and 53% of EU respondents were against. Among Ukrainians, 83% want their country to join the EU in the coming years.
- 2022-03
- 61 %
- 2026-06
- 41 %
The question referred explicitly to membership 'in the coming years', so the results do not show that a majority rejects Ukrainian membership in principle or for good. Germany provides the strongest military and financial support to Ukraine, which makes its scepticism stand out in the data.
Where Germany stands among large member states
Among the ten largest EU countries, German public opinion is especially sceptical, with 41% support. Only Romania records a lower figure, at 40%. Poland stands at 43%. The strongest backing among the large member states is in Sweden, at 69%, while Spain and Portugal each record 63%. Germany sits well below these countries, and the spread of opinion within the EU is wide.
- Sweden
- 69 %
- Spain
- 63 %
- Portugal
- 63 %
- Poland
- 43 %
- Germany
- 41 %
- Romania
- 40 %
Costs and the case for doubt
Asked about the particular challenge that Ukraine's accession would pose for the EU, 36% of Germans named financial burdens, against an EU average of 28%, which puts Germany at the top of that concern. Only 37% of Germans would accept short-term economic costs for their own country if these helped make Ukraine's membership succeed. Across the EU, 38% said they would, while 67% of Ukrainians did. The question concerned costs to the country itself, not higher personal spending. Only 13% of Germans expect the EU to become more influential with Ukraine as a new member.
Financing and the foundation's conclusion
Miriam Kosmehl, Eastern Europe expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, described Ukraine's precarious financial position as a challenge for the entire EU.
The precarious financial situation of Ukraine is a challenge for the entire EU, because stability in our large European neighbour is in our common interest.
Reconstruction alone is estimated to require more than 500 billion euros. Kosmehl said that meeting this need requires a mix of complementary instruments.
For that, it is decisive to maintain the support of the population.
The foundation concludes that a deeper dialogue between governments and citizens is needed to close the gap between policy and public opinion. Membership remains the EU's declared goal and is regarded as a cornerstone of a future European security order, so the strategic aim of integration should be communicated more persuasively.
