EU Commission Races Ahead with Early Quantum Strategy to Boost Tech Sovereignty

In a surprising but strategic move, the European Commission is preparing to unveil its much-anticipated quantum computing strategy ahead of schedule—now targeting a release in June 2025, instead of the originally planned third quarter. The fast-tracking of this strategy reflects the growing urgency among EU policymakers to cement Europe’s position in the global quantum technology race and reduce dependence on non-EU providers.

Quantum computing, long hailed as a revolutionary force across industries such as pharmaceuticals, financial modelling, cryptography, and materials science, is seen as one of the most critical frontier technologies of the coming decades. Recognising its transformative potential, the Commission is eager to close the gap between Europe’s early-stage research strengths and its lagging commercial deployment.

What the Strategy Will Aim to Achieve

The new quantum strategy will focus on improving uptake and adoption across the European Union, reinforcing the bloc’s “tech sovereignty” and ensuring long-term economic security. The policy document will include several key objectives:

• Encouraging cross-border cooperation among member states to fulfil commitments made under the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies, signed in spring 2024.
• Pooling resources and aligning national R&D efforts to avoid fragmentation and costly duplication across Europe.
• Building pan-European quantum infrastructure, including quantum chip manufacturing facilities, specialised computing platforms, and secure communication networks.
• Securing critical supply chains, particularly in hardware production, where Europe remains heavily dependent on non-EU nations.

A European Commission spokesperson emphasised that while the EU excels in academic and early-stage research, it has repeatedly fallen short in scaling quantum innovations into industrial applications. This innovation gap could jeopardise Europe’s competitiveness in the years ahead.

The Sovereignty and Security Angle

One of the strategy’s most pressing motivations is sovereignty. As outlined during stakeholder consultations in April, the Commission voiced concerns about Europe’s limited industrial capacity in quantum hardware—especially processors and cryogenic components. Without a resilient manufacturing base, the EU could find itself beholden to external suppliers, risking disruptions in the supply chain for critical technologies.

“This technological dependence raises sovereignty concerns, particularly regarding supply chain vulnerabilities,” the Commission noted in its public feedback session. “Without a robust industrial base, the EU risks remaining dependent on non-EU providers for critical components.”

The accelerated timeline for the quantum strategy is seen as a direct response to these vulnerabilities—and to ensure Europe can shape the global standards and governance of quantum technologies rather than being a passive observer.

Political Backing and Broader Context

Henna Virkkunen, the newly confirmed EU Tech Commissioner, has made the quantum strategy one of her top policy priorities. In her confirmation hearing earlier this year, she vowed to present a roadmap for enhancing Europe's competitiveness in emerging technologies, including quantum.

Virkkunen’s mandate letter from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen explicitly instructs her to intensify efforts on what she called “the next wave of frontier technologies.” This includes not only quantum computing, but also photonics, semiconductors, and AI—areas that are poised to underpin the EU's digital future.

Additionally, the recent Draghi Report on EU competitiveness—authored by former ECB President Mario Draghi—highlighted quantum computing as a "foundational element" of future economic and security frameworks. The report estimates that quantum technologies could contribute up to €850 billion to the EU economy over the next 15 to 30 years.

Economic and Innovation Impacts

The upcoming strategy is expected to include financial incentives and policy tools aimed at fostering private-sector investment and public-private partnerships. The Commission may also propose dedicated funds or expanded roles for programs like Horizon Europe and the Chips Joint Undertaking to prioritise quantum R&D.

The commercialisation of quantum innovations is essential, not just for economic impact, but also to retain talent in Europe and create high-value jobs. Startups, SMEs, and academic spin-offs will likely benefit from clearer access to funding, infrastructure, and regulatory support.

Europe already boasts impressive research hubs—such as QuTech in the Netherlands, the Max Planck Institute in Germany, and CEA-Leti in France—but these institutions have often lacked the scale or industrial alliances seen in the US and China.

A Critical Turning Point

By pushing forward its quantum computing strategy, the EU Commission is signalling that it wants to be a major global player, not a follower, in the race for technological leadership. The June rollout will mark a pivotal step in laying the groundwork for future European-made quantum platforms—and in ensuring that Europe's digital independence is not compromised by its current industrial limitations.

If executed effectively, the quantum strategy could transform Europe’s innovation landscape, while securing its place in the high-stakes global race for quantum supremacy.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s decision to fast-track its quantum computing strategy underscores the critical importance of this technology for the EU’s future competitiveness, sovereignty, and economic resilience. By addressing existing gaps in industrial capacity, aligning research efforts, and investing in pan-European infrastructure, the bloc aims to transform its early-stage research leadership into real-world technological dominance.

As geopolitical tensions and global tech rivalries intensify, Europe's ability to secure its own quantum ecosystem is not just a matter of innovation—it’s a strategic imperative. If the upcoming strategy delivers on its promise, it could mark the beginning of a new era in which the EU plays a leading role in shaping the next digital frontier.