EC Launches Strategy to Make Europe Quantum Leader by 2030

The European Commission announced the Quantum Strategy to make Europe a global leader in quantum by 2030. The EC said that the strategy will foster a resilient, sovereign quantum ecosystem that fuels startup growth and transforms breakthrough science into market-ready applications, while maintaining Europe's scientific leadership.

Quantum technologies will revolutionize addressing complex challenges, from pharmaceutical breakthroughs to securing critical infrastructure. They will open new opportunities for the EU's industrial competitiveness and tech sovereignty, with strong dual-use potential for defence and security. By 2040, the sector is expected to create thousands of highly skilled jobs across the EU and exceed a global value of €155 billion.

The Strategy targets five areas: research and innovation, quantum infrastructures, ecosystem strengthening, space and dual-use technologies, and quantum skills. It includes launching the Quantum Europe Research and Innovation Initiative, a joint EU and Member States' effort to support foundational research and develop applications in key public and industrial sectors. The EU will also establish a quantum design facility and six quantum chips pilot lines, backed by up to €50 million in public funding, to transform scientific prototypes into manufacturable products.

Plans also include launching a pilot facility for the European Quantum Internet, expanding the network of Quantum Competence Clusters across the EU, and establishing the European Quantum Skills Academy in 2026. EC noted that the last action in realizing the strategy is developing a Quantum Technology Roadmap in Space with the European Space Agency and contributing to the European Armament Technological Roadmap.

This Strategy aims to boost the share of global private funding that European quantum companies receive, currently at around 5%, to stimulate the growth of European startups and scaleups and promote the uptake of European quantum solutions by European industries. The Commission will work closely with the member states and the European quantum community to turn objectives into reality. The Strategy will be followed by a Quantum Act proposal, expected in 2026.

”With Quantum science advancing rapidly, we are on the verge of some of the most transformative scientific and technological breakthroughs. Europe has always been at the forefront of quantum science, with a strong record of innovation and discovery. We have everything we need to become a leading quantum continent, from a highly skilled workforce to a robust research infrastructure. As the global quantum race intensifies and moves from the lab to real-world applications, Europe must maintain its leadership. That's why we are launching the Quantum Europe Strategy – to bring together Member States, industry, academia, and society to unlock the full potential of quantum technologies,” said Henna Virkkunen, EC EVP for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.