The European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) is an ambitious, strategic initiative of the European Commission, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), which is designed to build a secure quantum-communication network across the European Union, providing a framework for highly resilient communications for governments, critical infrastructure, defence and industry
EuroQCI involves 27 European Union Member States and will serve as a part of IRIS2.
EuroQCI’s purpose is to safeguard sensitive communications – between government agencies, critical infrastructure, research centres and cross-border links – by leveraging quantum technologies – specifically quantum key distribution – integrated with both terrestrial fibre-optic and space-based satellite segments.
By doing so, EuroQCI aims to enhance Europe’s digital sovereignty, future-proofing secure communications in the face of quantum-computing threats and aligning with the EU’s Digital Decade targets for 2030.
Why EuroQCI?
In recent years, the rise of quantum-computing capabilities has alerted policymakers to a paradigm shift in cybersecurity: many of today’s public-key encryption schemes could, in principle, be undermined by future quantum algorithms.
EuroQCI addresses this threat by enabling communications systems that are quantum-safe, not just through software upgrades, but by deploying quantum hardware that makes use of quantum key distribution and integrating them across large-scale infrastructures.
With EuroQCI, the ambition is to ensure that:
Components and architecture
EuroQCI is designed to be built around two key elements:
The terrestrial segment, which uses existing and new fibre-optic links to connect strategic sites across EU Member States and trans-border routes. These links will incorporate quantum-enhanced encryption and QKD nodes, enabling the secure exchange of cryptographic keys between critical infrastructure nodes.
The space segment will extend coverage (especially for overseas territories, remote regions and from satellite to ground), the space segment uses satellites capable of quantum key distribution or quantum-enhanced optical links. ESA is playing a key role in the space segment, working with the Commission on satellite specifications, notably via projects such as EAGLE1 and SAGA (Secure And cryptoGrAphic) to deliver the quantum payloads.
On 30 January 2025, ESA and the European Commission formally signed an agreement defining ESA’s responsibilities in the implementation of EuroQCI.
Under this agreement, ESA will:
It’s expected the EuroQCI is designed to integrate with the EU’s forthcoming secure satellite constellation, IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), creating a unified space-terrestrial secure communications framework.
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CONTACT
Michael Witting
ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
Keplerlaan 1
2201 AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands
+31 625158619
Michael.Witting@esa.int
