European Quantum Strategy: Summary and Implications for Investors and Industry

What this report covers

Technologies: Quantum Computing, Sensing & Communications. A sourced, structured 11-page analysis for European defence and dual-use decision-makers, from the DFM research desk and built on official and primary sources.

About this report

Europe has a strong scientific foundation in quantum, with the world’s largest concentration of quantum researchers, the highest global rate of publications, and one of the largest startup ecosystems. Approximately one‑third of all quantum companies worldwide are in the EU, and EU firms supply nearly half of the core hardware and software components for quantum computers.

Major EU and Member State programs have invested heavily in research (about €2 billion from the EU plus roughly €9 billion from national budgets in the last 5 years), yet Europe still only captures about 5% of global private quantum investment (versus ~50% for the U.S.).

Key questions this report answers

• Why does Europe capture only about 5% of global private quantum investment despite leading in research output and hosting roughly one-third of quantum companies?
• What does the European Quantum Strategy propose to convert scientific leadership and its ~€11 billion of recent public funding into industrial scale?
• How will the planned Quantum Act and governance framework address Europe's investment and sovereignty gaps?
• Where should investors look within Europe's quantum ecosystem given its strength in core hardware and software components?

Inside this report

• Research & Innovation Initiative
• Quantum Infrastructures
• Quantum Ecosystem and Industrialisation
• Space, Security and Defence Applications
• Skills and Talent Development
• Major Actions, Timeline and Funding
• Technological Sovereignty, Security and Competitiveness
• Governance, Coordination and the Quantum Act
• Funding, Metrics and Key Performance Indicators
• Implications for Investors and Industry

Who it's for

Strategy, corporate-development and investment teams that need an ecosystem-level view — budgets, industrial capacity and technology landscapes — before committing capital or capacity.

Related reports

• Investing in Quantum: Key Public Companies in the US and Europe — United States
• Quantum, Cyber, Space R&D (Operational Priorities)
• Understanding the Evolution of Pure-Play Quantum Computing Firms
• The Translation Gap: Why Europe’s Quantum and Advanced-Materials Research Does Not Automatically Become Defence Capability
• Strategic Investment in Resilient INS/PNT Navigation Systems in the EU
• Quantum Technologies and European Defence Sovereignty

Methodology, format & delivery

DFM reports are built from primary and official sources — TED procurement notices, CORDIS and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, EIB operations, the NATO Innovation Fund portfolio, SIPRI data, official budget documents and company disclosures — read together with the underlying legal texts. Sources are cited in the document; it reflects them as of its publication date (08 July 2025). You receive a 11-page PDF, watermarked to you on every page, delivered on the confirmation page and by e-mail immediately after checkout (personal link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). Guest checkout, single-user licence — Terms of Sale.

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