Spain - Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025-2030

Spain's Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025-2030 was developed by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service to position Spain as a leading European hub in quantum research, development, and industrial application. The strategy sets out a comprehensive framework to speed up the development of quantum computing, secure communications, and advanced sensors.

By scaling up public-private investments and aligning national research with the European Union's broader technological sovereignty goals, the plan aims to build a robust domestic quantum ecosystem, bridge the gap between academic innovation and market readiness, and ensure national cybersecurity against future post-quantum threats.

Priorities for the Development of Digital Skills

Human capital is a foundational element of the strategy, which focuses on developing specialized expertise to sustain a quantum-ready workforce. Key priorities are structured around three core pillars:

Higher Education and Academic Integration: Introducing advanced quantum computing, software engineering, and post-quantum cryptography modules into university curricula.

Interdisciplinary Reskilling: Providing professional training initiatives to help engineers, computer scientists, and industry experts apply quantum tools in commercial sectors.

Talent Retention and Attraction: Offering dedicated research grants and international attraction programs to prevent domestic brain drain and retain top-tier scientific personnel within Spain's quantum ecosystem.

Priority Areas of Action

To achieve these strategic objectives, the roadmap details seven priority areas of action:

1. Quantum Computing and Infrastructure

• Expanding national quantum computing capabilities.

• Integrating quantum hardware with High-Performance Computing networks to provide cloud-based access for researchers and enterprises.

2. Quantum Communications and EuroQCI

• Deploying secure quantum key distribution networks across public administrations and vital national infrastructure.

• Participating actively in the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative.

3. Post-Quantum Cryptography and Cybersecurity

• Transitioning critical public and private data systems to post-quantum cryptographic standards to guard against future decryption threats.

4. Quantum Sensing and Metrology

• Advancing high-precision quantum sensors for application in healthcare, earth observation, defense, and industrial automation.

5. Industrial Transfer and Commercialization

• Incentivizing startups, tech SMEs, and strategic industries to integrate quantum solutions into commercial workflows.

• Establishing public-private incubators and venture funding mechanisms to bring academic innovation to market.

6. Talent Attraction, Education, and Skills

• Creating specialized academic modules, master's programs, and vocational reskilling schemes in quantum software and engineering.

• Offering targeted research grants and international attraction programs to retain top-tier talent and stem domestic brain drain.

7. International Governance and European Alignment

• Ensuring alignment with broader EU Digital Decade targets and EU Quantum Flagship projects.

• Harmonizing technical standards, ethical frameworks, and intellectual property protections across European partners.

Aligned directly with the EU Digital Decade targets, this strategy ensures that Spain builds end-to-end capabilities across the entire quantum value chain, from hardware and software to commercial deployment.