Europe's quantum offensive: Is the leap to the top of the technology?

Europe's quantum offensive: Is the leap to the top of the technology?

The future of quantum technology is in the hands of Europe! On July 3, 2025, the European Commission presented a plan to catapult the EU to the top of global quantum technology by 2030. Clearly: something is due here! The aim is to address the fragmentation of regulations and financing within the EU and to promote the commercialization of this technologies based on quantum mechanics. Эти technologies моhuses вирвирвирвити проблеми, як GmbH сьогоднš's найпотуblyses комп’ютери ноhus подолати, and the promise of a variety of innovations to secure to secure Communication networks.

quantum technology has a wide range of application that includes both civil and military areas of application. Sensors that can recognize deeper activities up to four kilometers below the earth's surface open up opportunities for geological and military applications. Europe is currently dominating quantum research, which is reflected in a high number of scientific publications and houses about a third of the global quantum companies. The potential for the sector is huge: the market should reach a value of 155 billion euros by 2040 and create thousands of highly qualified jobs in the EU. However, challenges remain because European companies attract only 5 % of global private investments - while the United States is at 50 % ahead.

The plan for the European quantum strategy

The European plan aims to build a more resilient and sovereign quantum ecosystem. According to the [Digital Strategy] (https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/quantum-europe strategy), there are already progress in quanta technology, but it is still habering innovations into marketable products. To change this, five central areas of the strategy are defined:

• research and innovation: excellence in quantum science should be consolidated and transferred to industrial applications.
• quantum infrastructures: Development of scalable infrastructure hubs that support production, design and application development.
• Strengthening the quantum ecosystem: Investments in startups and Diе industrialization of quantum technologies.
• space travel and dual-use technologies: integration of safe quantum skills in the space and security strategies of Europe.
• quantum skills: Education and mobility of talents in the EU to create a diverse and first -class labor base.

All of these initiatives should help to close the gap between research and commercialization and to increase the global competitiveness of the EU.

A look at Austria's role

Austria also plays a key role in quantum research. The photonic mini quantum computer from the University of Vienna was even sent to space! In addition, the first quantum processor, developed by physicists at this university, is active in space. Anton Zeilinger, a pioneer in this area, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2022, which underlines Austria's potential in quantum research. Angelika Winzig from the ÖVP sees the EU quantum strategy as signal-strength for Europe and emphasizes how important it is that Austria continues to take a pioneering role in this area.