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EU space policy

The EU space programme helps carry out everyday activities on Earth. The satellites that the EU sends into orbit allow millions of people to communicate using new technologies, to travel by land, sea and air, and to develop ways to improve the health of our planet.

Why an EU space policy?

The EU is investing in space activities that help Europeans in their daily lives and also tackle today's global challenges.

EU space policy:

  • helps create jobs and boost growth and investment in Europe
  • plays a crucial role in supporting the twin transition towards a green and digital economic model
  • enhances the EU's strategic autonomy
  • pushes back the boundaries of science and research
  • promotes and facilitates other policies in areas such as security and defence and industry

How is space data used?

High-quality, up-to-date and secure space data can be used across many sectors, from agriculture to transport.

Guide rescue teams in locations hit by natural disasters

Improve land use in agriculture

Make transport and energy infrastructure safer

A more competitive space industry

Currently, 13 member states have national space regulations in place, and others are currently preparing to pass their own space legislation.

To prevent further fragmentation of the market and increase legal certainty for EU space operators, in June 2025, the Commission proposed an EU space act, providing a regulatory framework for space activities in the Union.

This regulation is based on three pillars:

  • safety
  • resilience
  • sustainability

The EU space act aims to create a single market for space activities, making it simpler for EU businesses, and particularly start-ups and SMEs, to carry out their activities across borders.

The proposal is now being discussed by the Council and the European Parliament.

The EU space programme 2021-2027

The EU space programme is the first integrated space programme which supports the EU space activities.

Objectives

High-quality, up-to-date and secure space-related data and services

A stronger role for the EU as a leading actor in the space sector

Enhanced EU security and autonomy

Greater socio-economic benefits from the use of such data and services, including increased growth and job creation in the EU

EU space flagship programmes

The EU space programme improves and brings together existing EU programmes such as Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS under one umbrella.

  • Copernicus: the most advanced Earth observation system in the world
  • Galileo: the EU's own global navigation satellite system, providing highly accurate global positioning data
  • EGNOS: provides safety-critical navigation services to aviation, maritime and land-based users throughout the EU

The programme also introduces new security components:

  • the space and situational awareness programme, which monitors space hazards
  • the governmental satellite communication initiative, which provides national authorities with access to secure satellite communications

In March 2023, the Council adopted a regulation on the EU's secure connectivity programme for 2023-2027.

The programme sets goals for the European Union to deploy an EU satellite constellation called 'IRIS²' (infrastructure for resilience, interconnectivity and security by satellite), that will provide ultra-fast and highly secure communication services by 2027.

Security and defence

The EU recognises the strategic nature of space and that space is key for the EU's freedom of action and autonomous decision-making in security and defence.

As the risks in the space domain grow, the EU prioritises robust governance and protective measures to safeguard its space capabilities.

The focus is on:

  • reducing technological dependencies
  • advancing research and innovation
  • strengthening supply chains to support the EU’s space security and competitiveness
  • maintaining partnerships with like-minded allies

Space is also a key operational domain alongside land, sea, air and cyber operations, and a critical enabler for military missions and operations.

By developing space services for governmental use by the EU member states, the EU strengthens its freedom of action and autonomous decision-making in security and defence, while maintaining the civilian nature of flagship programmes such as Copernicus and Galileo.

Space traffic management

The EU is taking decisive steps towards managing space traffic to ensure the safe, sustainable, and secure use of space as satellite activity increases.

The EU's approach to space traffic management focuses on addressing the global challenge of orbital congestion and ensuring space accessibility for future generations through four main pillars:

  1. Assessing civilian and military needs
  2. Operational capabilities
  3. Legislation and standardisation
  4. International partnerships

See also

The image depicts a collection of satellites in space against a starry blue background. The satellites vary in design, with some having solar panels and others featuring antennae or cube-like structures. Dotted lines trace their orbital paths, suggesting movement around Earth.
Space traffic management

Space traffic management

Space, security and defence

Space, security and defence

Illustration: satellites around the globe, with a focus on the European continent
EU achievements in space

EU achievements in space

Topics

Last review: 6 May 2026