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Quantum Europe Strategy

In “A new plan for Europe's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness”

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On 2 July 2025, the European Commission published the Quantum Europe Strategy. The strategy aims to position Europe as a global leader in quantum by 2030, and it is described as an evolving framework for Europe's quantum future.

Quantum technologies such as quantum computers and quantum sensors rely on the properties of quantum mechanics, a modern physical theory which aims to explain the behaviour of particles below the scale of atoms. In most cases, quantum technologies remain under developments. Executive Vice-President of European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, described them as ‘set to revolutionize our economy, possessing significant dual-use potential for defence and security’. Mario Draghi’s report on EU competitiveness also describes quantum computing as ‘the next trailblazing innovation in the computing field ...’.

The Quantum Europe Strategy builds on further inputs such as the Competitiveness Compass, the International Digital Strategy, the Preparedness Union strategy, the White Paper for Defence Readiness 2030, and the ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy.

While the Quantum Europe Strategy recognises that the EU has made progress in quantum scientific excellence, it has identified three challenges. First, the EU is lagging behind in translating its innovation capabilities into real market opportunities. Second, EU efforts are fragmented across Member States, limiting the ability to build a critical mass and scale. Third, the emerging EU quantum ecosystem lacks sustainable financial support and market perspectives.

To address the identified issues, the Quantum Europe Strategy has identified five areas to focus on. For each, it presents the state of play and lists actions to be taken. The actions range from the publication of further strategic documents, including roadmaps and frameworks, to the launch of new initiatives.

The five areas, and some of the respective actions are:

  1. Quantum research and innovation
    • Amend the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking Regulation to include quantum technologies and ensure its direct coordination with existing EU funding programs such as Horizon Europe.
    • In 2026, Propose the ‘Quantum Act’ establishing a Quantum Europe Research and Innovation Initiative. The initiative will be implemented through an EU-level governance framework.
  2. Quantum infrastructures (computing, communication, and sensing)
    • In 2026, establish three roadmaps: quantum computing and simulation, quantum communication, and quantum sensing.
    • Deploy several quantum infrastructures in the EU, including quantum computing systems, terrestrial quantum links and ground-based gravimeters.
  3. Quantum ecosystem
    • In 2026, establish two roadmaps: quantum chips industrialisation and European quantum standards.
    • Under the Chips Joint Undertaking and in line with the Chips Act, launch quantum pilot lines and aim to build an EU quantum foundry.
  4. Quantum technologies for space and dual-use (both for civilian and military applications)
    • In 2025 and 2026, establish two: quantum technology in space (in cooperation with the European Space Agency), quantum sensing space & defence technology, and contribute to the European armament technological roadmap as already announced by the 2025 White Paper for European Defence.
  5. Quantum skills
    • In 2026, establish a European quantum skills academy and a quantum talent mobility programme.

To advance within the five identified areas, the strategy has developed a 'smart implementation approach', which relies on a tailored technology lifecycle implementation logic to speed up the process of creating technology and releasing it to the market. The core of this logic is the upcoming Quantum Europe Research and Innovation Initiative mentioned above, and which will be set up by the ‘Quantum Act’ proposal. To support the implementation approach, the Quantum Europe Strategy lists additional mechanisms such as the creation of quantum grand challenges, where scientists, industrial users, manufacturers, integrators, and actors from both quantum and enabling technologies will work together.

In line with its International Digital Strategy and its Economic Security Strategy, the Quantum Europe Strategy mentions bilateral and multilateral cooperation ‘with like-minded’ countries. To achieve this, the Commission will work with Member States on a European Quantum International Cooperation Framework. This approach aims at creating economic opportunities for EU companies, offering a competitive boost to EU’s quantum industry, and providing ways for EU companies to reduce dependencies.

To steer, coordinate, and monitor the strategy, a two-level governance framework has been laid down. A high-level advisory board will bring together European quantum scientists and technology experts to provide independent strategic guidance on the implementation of the strategy. A structured cooperation framework with the Member States will help ensure coherent implementation across EU-level and national programmes.

References:

Further reading:

Author: Tristan Marcelin, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu

As of 20/02/2026.