Europe backs wealth tax to fund healthcare and fairness

Wealth taxation is becoming a hot topic in Europe

Across the EU, citizens are increasingly calling for new taxes on the ultra-wealthy — supposedly to fund healthcare, education, and other public services.

Where is support the strongest?

Italy leads the pack: 94% of Italians support taxing the ultra-rich to improve the healthcare system.

Spain follows with 91%, then France (90%), the UK (89%), and Germany (85%).

What does the Eurobarometer say?

80% of EU citizens believe multinational corporations should pay a minimum tax in every country. And 65% support imposing taxes on the wealthiest individuals.

Support is especially high in Hungary (78%) and in Balkan countries like Bulgaria and Croatia (71% each).

Why do these ideas resonate?

Respondents want tax loopholes closed so more funding can go toward public services. That idea is backed by 94% in Italy, 91% in the UK, 90% in Spain and France, and 86% in Germany.

What gets less support?

Investing tax revenue into renewable energy gets a bit less enthusiasm — supported by 75–88%, with up to 18% of Germans opposed.

Even fewer people support funding for home insulation, with Germans particularly skeptical (only 28% in favor), and 20–22% against in other countries.

Are wealth taxes already in place?

Only Norway, Spain, and Switzerland currently tax net wealth.

France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands tax specific types of assets.

What’s happening globally?

The G20 is discussing a potential global minimum wealth tax — 2% annually on assets over $1 billion.

Europe's direction: fairness or punishment for success?

Europe seems to be leaning toward punishing those who build capital (sound familiar?), instead of encouraging investment and growth.