Germany, the European country most highly rated by Spaniards, according to the Elcano Royal Institute

 

Germany, remains the European country best rated by Spaniards, placing them ahead of nations such as Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, and even slightly above Spain itself. This is confirmed by the second wave of the survey. "Germany's image in Spain, 2025", made by the Elcano Royal Institute with the sponsorship of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Madrid. However, the overall score has experienced a slight decrease, going from 7,3 in the previous edition (2023) to 7,1 figure.

 

The report highlights that Spaniards see Germany as a nation developed and industrial, with special recognition in the automotive field, and with a successful economy. As for its population, they perceive it as organized, serious, hardworking and efficient. In general, respondents consider Germany superior to Spain in most key aspects, such as its influence on the world, its economic system, the quality of its democracy, science and technology, the environment, and gender equality.

 

The only ones exceptions where Spain surpasses Germany in the perception of Spaniards are the cultural production and quality of life. In addition, Germany arouses feelings of curiosity (53%) y admiration (47%) In Spanish society, whose economy is considered the most influential on the Spanish economy, surpassed only by China and on par with the United States. Optimism regarding the economic future of Germany remains.

 

Spaniards believe that the German economy is the most influential on the Spanish economy, only behind China and on par with the United States, and they are optimistic about the country's economic future.

 

Limited Sympathy and Persistent "Selfishness"

 

Although positive mentions of Germany are twice as many as negative ones (70% vs. 25%), the study highlights that the country arouses little sympathy among the Spanish. Germans are perceived as rigid and unfriendly, and factors such as the climate, language, and cuisine are unattractive. The country also doesn't stand out as a preferred destination for living, working, or studying.

 

The main negative aspect that the Spanish attribute to Germany is the selfishness, a perception historically linked to its reluctance to implement expansionary spending policies during the Great Recession. This stance led to Germany's rating falling to a low of 4,9 out of 10 in 2013, but it has since recovered to pre-crisis levels.

 

In the area of ​​bilateral relations, although the Spanish admit a great lack of knowledge about German foreign and European policy, they generally consider them good and conflict-freeIn fact, Germany is identified as the second country with which Spain maintains the best relations, only surpassed by Portugal and ahead of France and Italy.

 

Slight Drop in Rating: Political and Economic Difficulties

 

The slight decrease in the overall rating from 7,3 to 7,1 extends to aspects such as the sympathy (which drops from 37% to 31%) and the admiration (from 54% to 47%). The decline is most marked in the economic sphere and in the perception of Germany's political leadership in the European Union. The Elcano Royal Institute suggests that this evolution could be a consequence of the dissemination of news about the internal political difficulties and the economic stagnation of the country, which coincided with the holding of elections during the survey period.

 

Finally, the factor ideological remains relevant. People who are in the political right tend to value better Germany, they are more optimistic about its future and perceive less selfishness in its international actions.