Catalonia advances a €10 million quantum initiative to enhance secure communications in Europe

Catalonia is advancing new quantum initiatives to strengthen digital sovereignty and enhance the security of critical communications.

Supported by nearly €10 million in funding, the Catalan government is implementing a strategy that integrates quantum communications infrastructure with the shift to post-quantum cryptography. This makes Catalonia a key contributor to the European quantum communication infrastructure, EuroQCI, which protects sensitive data and critical systems across Europe.

The strategy centers on developing a quantum communications network integrated with the government’s existing fibre optic infrastructure. Led by the Secretariat of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation through the Centre for Telecommunications and Information Technologies (CTTI), the project will deploy a quantum key distribution (QKD) network to ensure highly secure data transmission.

This infrastructure will deliver post-quantum security for public communications, protecting critical services and data from current and future cyber threats, including those from quantum computing. It also strengthens Europe’s technological sovereignty in this strategic area.

The network will connect key public and institutional sites, including government headquarters, healthcare facilities, security and emergency services, corporate data centres, the Barcelona City Council, and research centres. In total, 12 nodes will be deployed, each capable of generating and exchanging quantum encryption keys.

The rollout will occur in phases. The initial four-node deployment will establish the first operational network and enable real-world testing. Eight additional nodes will then complete a metropolitan quantum ring, with potential for future expansion.

The tender process is underway, with the contract expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026. The first nodes are scheduled to be operational in 2027, with full deployment planned between 2028 and 2029. Supported by €8.2 million from the ERDF 2021–2027 programme, the project will also generate operational data to validate performance, reliability, and scalability.

Once operational, the infrastructure will secure communications across critical sectors such as healthcare, justice, security, emergency services, and public data centres. It will also enable new use cases and strengthen Catalonia’s position as a leading digital hub in Europe.

Accelerating the transition to post-quantum cybersecurity

In parallel, the Catalonia Cybersecurity Agency is spearheading a pioneering initiative to prepare public systems for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. The project focuses on adapting current encryption methods to ensure long-term protection of data, digital identities, and communications in a future shaped by quantum computing.

This initiative, the first of its kind within a Spanish public administration, aligns with recommendations from the European Commission, the National Cryptologic Centre (CCN), and international standardization bodies such as NIST and ETSI. Funded by €1.2 million through the RETECH programme, the project is already underway and will continue throughout the year.

Structured around three main pillars: risk assessment, feasibility testing, and governance and planning, the initiative reinforces Catalonia’s proactive approach to cybersecurity and its readiness for the next generation of digital challenges.

About Catalonia’s quantum technologies ecosystem

Catalonia is rapidly emerging as a leading hub for quantum technologies in Europe, supported by a strong ecosystem of research centres, universities, and innovative companies. With world-class institutions like ICFO and increasing participation in European initiatives, the region is becoming a key player in the global quantum landscape.