The Government of Spain has launched its first Quantum Technologies Strategy (2025–2030) with an initial investment of €808 million ($917 million USD), announced at the OECD Global Technology Forum in Madrid on April 24, 2025. Ministers Óscar López and Diana Morant presented the initiative, which supports quantum computing, communications, and sensing. Funding is drawn from the ERDF and Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (RTRP) and is expected to reach €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion USD) when including leveraged public and private capital. The strategy is framed as a national commitment to quantum infrastructure and digital transformation.
The strategy outlines four national objectives: strengthening R&D and technology transfer; fostering a domestic quantum industry; promoting digital security and public awareness in a post-quantum environment; and consolidating a coordinated Spanish quantum ecosystem. Seven technical priorities are defined: industrial capability building, quantum–AI algorithm convergence, leadership in communications, demonstrations in sensing and metrology, post-quantum privacy infrastructure, research infrastructure and skills, and coordinated national governance. These are intended to support both short-term milestones and long-term research capacity.
In terms of application domains, the strategy identifies several near-market opportunities: quantum sensing for navigation without satellite reliance, post-quantum cryptography for secure communications, quantum simulation for drug discovery, and modeling tools for climate risk and power grid optimization. Emphasis is placed on dual-use technologies—particularly sensing and navigation—for defense and critical infrastructure. Quantum clocks and advanced metrology are positioned as early impact tools with potential for integration into existing national systems.
The first implementation measure is the creation of a Quantum Communications Hub, funded with €10 million ($11.3 million USD) from Component 16 of the RTRP. The Hub will support research, use-case development, and training in quantum photonics and secure communications. Initial funding allocations include €2.4 million ($2.7 million USD) to the Institute of Photonic Sciences of Catalonia, €1.4 million ($1.6 million USD) to the Quantum Information and Computing Research Group at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, €930,000 ($1.05 million USD) to the Donostia International Physics Center, and €480,000 (545K USD) to the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands.
The Spanish government frames the strategy as a digital sovereignty initiative aligned with EU priorities. Presented during the UN-designated International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the strategy responds to the growing international competition for leadership in quantum technologies. It aims to position Spain as a contributing actor within the EU quantum framework and reduce dependence on external digital infrastructure by investing in secure, scalable, and interoperable quantum systems.
Read the full announcement from the Government of Spain here and access the official strategy PDF here.
April 25, 2025
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