Irish Trust in EU Remains Strong Despite Rising Housing and Immigration Concerns

Irish people continue to place considerable trust in the European Union at 59%, while concerns about housing and immigration are intensifying, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey published today.

The European Commission Representation in Ireland released the Autumn 2025 Eurobarometer Report for Ireland, based on fieldwork conducted by Ipsos B&A between 9 October and 3 November 2025.

Housing remains the dominant concern for Irish respondents at 65%, up from 63% in Spring 2025. This represents the highest level of housing concern across all EU27 member states, compared to an EU average of just 13%.

Immigration concerns have risen sharply, with 26% now identifying it as one of the two most important issues facing Ireland. This marks an 8 percentage point increase since Spring 2025 and exceeds the EU27 average of 15%.

Despite these concerns, Ireland ranks in the top five EU member states for trust in the European Union at 59%, behind Portugal (71%), Latvia (66%), Denmark (64%), and Sweden (63%). The EU27 average stands at 48%.

Irish people also maintain a very positive view of the EU at 63%, second only to Portugal (69%), with the EU27 average at 42%.

Peter Power, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland said:

"Irish people continue to hold the European Union in high regard. Housing, cost of living, and immigration are the big concerns in Ireland. The European Commission remains committed to addressing these challenges whilst building a competitive and prosperous European Union."

When asked about EU-level concerns, Irish respondents cited immigration and Russia's invasion of Ukraine equally at 35% each. Irish concern about immigration at EU level is well above the EU27 average of 20%, with only Cyprus showing higher concern at 45%.

The survey also revealed that 96% of Irish people show near universal satisfaction with life, placing Ireland second alongside Slovenia, Finland, and Sweden, just behind Denmark at 97%.

Satisfaction with how democracy works in Ireland stands at 71%, significantly higher than the EU27 average of 54%. However, this represents a notable decline of 8 percentage points since Spring 2025, marking the lowest level since Spring 2022.

Irish people want housing reflected as a budgetary priority for the EU at 59%, far exceeding the EU27 average of 26%. Other priorities include employment (43%) and education and training (34%).

Support for EU enlargement stands at 59%, broadly in line with the EU27 average of 52%, though this represents a 5 percentage point decline since Spring 2025.