Digital Decade 2026: Special Eurobarometer

The first section of this report examines how Europeans perceive the impact of digitalisation on their daily lives and how well they feel their digital rights are protected, offering a snapshot of public sentiment halfway through the Digital Decade.

The second part explores the drivers of public support for digital policy, including the priority Europeans attach to digitalisation, their expectations for the EU’s digital objectives and the role of cooperation between the EU and Member States.

The third section addresses citizens’ expectations regarding emerging technologies, their use of generative AI, support for European digital sovereignty and views on AI priorities, barriers to adoption and governance preferences.

Finally, the report delves into enduring public concerns related to the digital environment, including online safety for children and young people, the threat of disinformation and online manipulation to democracy, as well as the personal relevance of platform regulation.

Details

Among the most notable findings:

• 82% of European citizens think that the EU should reduce its dependencies on digital technologies from third countries
• 85% of respondents think the EU should prioritise investments in digital services that are developed and controlled in Europe
• 58% of them would be willing to switch to an EU-based digital service provider even if it means slightly higher costs
• 79% of Europeans consider that digital policy should be a priority for the EU’s future
• 80% think it is important to make the EU a global leader in technological infrastructures
• 87% of citizens agree that online manipulation including disinformation, foreign interference, AI-generated content and deepfakes pose a threat to democratic processes
• 92% of Europeans think that strengthening the protection of children and young people online should be a priority for the EU.

Read more about:

• The 2026 State of the Digital Decade package
• The European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles

You can download the report, the summary, the annexes, the infographic and the factsheets per Member State:

• Special Eurobarometer on the Digital Decade 2026 - Report
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Report summary
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Annexes
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Infographic
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Austria
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Belgium
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Bulgaria
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Cyprus
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Czechia
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Germany
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Denmark
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Estonia
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Greece
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Spain
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Finland
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet France
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Croatia
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Hungary
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Ireland
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Italy
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Lithuania
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Luxembourg
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Latvia
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Malta
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Netherlands
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Poland
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Portugal
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Romania
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Slovenia
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Slovakia
• Special Eurobarometer 2026 - Factsheet Sweden