Britain’s MI6 has been placed first in a European ranking of intelligence services, according to a three-month investigation by French magazine L'Express. The report says the outlet surveyed 60 intelligence officials from 25 countries to assess how Europe’s spy agencies are viewed by their peers.
In the reported order, France’s DGSE came in second, followed by the Netherlands in third place. Ukraine was ranked fourth, reflecting the growing attention on its intelligence capabilities as the country continues to operate under wartime pressure.
Greece did not score among the top-ranked services in the reported list, but the survey still highlighted its value in one specific area: expertise on Turkey. That detail suggests that even agencies outside the top tier can hold strategic importance because of geography, regional knowledge and long-standing focus on a particular neighbor.
The ranking offers a snapshot of how European intelligence professionals currently judge capability, influence and specialization across the continent. While such lists are inherently shaped by perception, the findings point to MI6’s strong standing, France’s continued prominence, Ukraine’s rising profile and Greece’s niche relevance in the eastern Mediterranean.
