A Call for Smarter Integration: What Family Businesses Expect from the EU

EU Family Business Survey
Files
Publisher
Stiftung Familienunternehmen
Release
2025
Institute
Edelman Data & Intelligence
Authors
Senior Vice President Selg Maurice, Senior Account Manager Lloyd Veronica, Account Manager Wallace Sean, Senior Research Executive Watchorn Hollie
Isbn
978-3-948850-67-8

This study examines the perspectives of business leaders across Germany, France, Italy and Spain, with a focus on family-owned firms.

The study is based on a survey of 2,401 companies, 83 % of which are family businesses.

The objective of this study is to understand how European Union policymakers can strengthen business competitiveness and improve the operating environment. By gathering insights from owners and senior decision-makers in companys with 10+ employees, the report offers clear policy recommendations that reflect the views of family businesses and contribute to a more effective EU framework setting.

Key findings of the EU Family Business Survey

Business leaders and executives take a fundamentally positive view of the EU as a market and investment location

  • 66 % believe that their companies will be in a slightly better or even much better position over the next five years.
  • 60 % are convinced that their home market is a good place to invest.
  • Leaders are open to more EU: They identify neighbouring EU countries as key investment destinations in both the short- and medium-term.
The graphic shows: The majority of all business leaders and executives expects improvements in the general state of their company in the next five years. 66 percent of German, French, Italian and Spanish leaders agree that their company's state will improve somewhat or a lot better than today.
The majority of all business leaders and executives expects improvements in the general state of their company in the next five years. 66 percent of German, French, Italian and Spanish leaders agree that their company's state will improve somewhat or a lot better than today.
When investing abroad, companies from Germany, France, Italy, and Spain tend to invest first in neighboring EU countries. China and the US are less prioritized for investment.
German, French, Italian and Spanish business leaders and executives are firmly convinced that neighbouring EU countries are key investment destinations in both the short- and medim-term. Investment destinations such as US, China or Switzerland are far less attractive investment locations than EU countries.

Business leaders have expectations of the EU

  • Only 46 % of business leaders and executives rate the EU institutions' work on economic policy positively.

  • 66 % believe reducing compliance demands and administrative obligations would enhance their competitiveness.

  • 77 % agree that the EU institutions put heavier bureaucratic burdens than 10 years ago.

  • 64 % of business leaders say that a deeper Single Market holds economic potential for their company.

  • The shortage of skilled workers is the greatest threat to competitiveness over the next five years, according to business leaders across all markets.

Family Businesses across the European Union are

  • an economic powerhouse for production and employment in European markets.
  • resilient, thanks to their long-term planning approach and reduced exposure to external pressures, which stems from their typically higher equity ratios compared to non-family businesses.
  • wishing to stay family-run. But 32 % of all comanies expect generational transitions to become a challenge within the next fice years.

The importance of family businesses across the European Union highlights the need for simpler, more accessible frameworks. This is the only way to enable continuity, long-term planning, and, last but not least, to keep a strong European economic powerhouse.

The graphic shows: Business leaders and executives have mixed views on EU economic policy over the past five years. Less than half of the entrepreneurs surveyed in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain are convinced of the work of the EU institutions. Over 50 percent of those surveyed have mixed to negative views on the EU's work to increase European competitiveness.
Business leaders and executives have mixed views on EU economic policy over the past five years. Less than half of the entrepreneurs surveyed in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain are convinced of the work of the EU institutions. Over 50 percent of those surveyed have mixed to negative views on the EU's work to increase European competitiveness.
The graphic shows the percentage of agreement of EU business leaders that EU reforms would make the company more competitive. 66 percent of business leaders agree that reducing administrative burdens helps being more competitive. 64 percent of all business leaders agree that faster or more transparent approval processes for permits, subsidies or certifications helps being more competitive.
Business leaders and executives are calling for an easier-to-work-with EU framework. According to the surveyed leaders, reducing administrative burdens (e.g. by simplifying permit applications and compliance reporting) and creating faster, more transparent approval processes for permits, subsidies or certifications would make companies more competitive.
The graphic shows: Companies complain about heavy bureaucratic burden. 77 percent of German, French, Italian and Spanish business leaders and executives agree that the EU institutions are responsible for higher bureaucratic burdens than 10 years ago.
Companies complain about heavy bureaucratic burden. 77 percent of German, French, Italian and Spanish business leaders and executives agree that the EU institutions are responsible for higher bureaucratic burdens than 10 years ago.

EU Family Business Survey - Summaries

Germany: Summary of key findings amongst German family business leaders

France: Summary of key findings amongst French family business leaders

Italy: Summary of key findings amongst Italian family business leaders

Spain: Summary of key findings amongst Spanish family business leaders

Date
16.9.2025
Keywords

Related materials

Related publications

Related News

Newsletter abonnieren Aktuelle Ausgabe lesen

Cookie settings

Just like other websites, we use cookies to improve and personalize your experience. We collect standard Internet log information and aggregated data to analyse our traffic. Our preference and marketing cookies allow us to adapt our content and ads to our audience interests.