The latest Eurobarometer survey on taxation shows that citizens are open to policy changes that make taxes more equitable and environmentally friendly.
In 2024, 80% of respondents agreed that the minimum tax should be paid in all countries where large multinational companies operate.
Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) support the introduction of taxes for the wealthiest individuals (top 0.001%) to ensure they pay the lowest level of tax. Support was highest in Hungary (78%), Bulgaria (71%) and Croatia (71%).
Those who oppose such taxes are concerned about competitiveness, investment and potential capital flights.
In terms of equity, only one in five European Union citizens believe that tax contributions to their country are “mostly” proportional to income and wealth, and most respondents are more skeptical.
The system is considered to be the most fair in Finland and Luxembourg, while Latvia, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Poland rank the lowest in terms of tax impartiality.
Of those who agree to a higher tax on improved public services, almost half will target tobacco and alcohol first, and a third will increase taxes on investment income, such as interest and rent.
Six in 10 EU citizens support it by using financial measures to stop the use or consumption of environmentally harmful goods and polluted energy. Most people prioritize taxes on products that are not recycled or difficult to recycle, followed by plastics and greenhouse gas emissions.
When it comes to citizens wanting the EU to prioritize the EU in terms of tax issues, the number one problem is working to avoid and avoid tax. The second priority is to prevent double taxation between EU countries.
In the EU, almost 90% of the revenue available to national governments comes from taxes.
