Catalonia strengthens its European leadership in semiconductors through its active role in shaping the new European Chips Act

Catalonia continues to strengthen its leadership in Europe’s semiconductor sector through its active involvement in shaping the new European regulatory framework for the industry, the Chips Act 2.0.

“Catalonia is working to ensure that the new European semiconductor strategy reflects the central role of regions in developing industrial, technological and talent capabilities”

Miquel Sàmper, Minister for Business and Labour

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This new legal framework, presented by the European Commission on Wednesday as part of its technological sovereignty package, has been developed with the participation of the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance (ESRA), which in 2026 is chaired by Catalonia through the Ministry for Business and Labor, via the Directorate General for Industry and ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade and Investment, the agency for business competitiveness.

This week, ESRA is holding its annual assembly in Brussels, where members are sharing progress in the sector and discussing the alliance’s position, under Catalonia’s leadership, regarding Europe’s industrial policy for semiconductors and microchips. The assembly has brought together senior representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions, as well as leading political representatives from ESRA member regions.

In this context, ESRA is promoting a vision for the Chips Act 2.0 built around three fundamental pillars:

1. Building a resilient and sovereign European semiconductor supply chain.
2. Strengthening collaboration between regions, industry, research centers and institutions.
3. Developing centers of excellence for talent across Europe.

The Minister for Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper, highlighted that “Catalonia is working to ensure that the new European semiconductor strategy reflects the central role of regions in developing industrial, technological and talent capabilities.” 

According to Sàmper, “through ESRA’s presidency this year, we are consolidating the alliance as a key platform for coordinating efforts, sharing best practices and aligning strategic priorities with European institutions in order to further strengthen our industrial and digital ecosystems, enabling our companies to become global leaders.”

Promoting a forward-thinking European chip vision from Catalonia

Through ESRA, Catalonia is facilitating ongoing dialogue with the European Commission and the European Parliament and has contributed concrete proposals to help shape semiconductor legislation that addresses the real needs of Europe’s regions and delivers a meaningful impact on European competitiveness.

Catalonia’s role is underpinned by its scientific and technological infrastructure, a well-established network of highly specialized leading companies, and strategic initiatives that promote innovation in microelectronics and advanced technologies. One example is the Catalonia Chips and Semiconductors Alliance, led by the Ministry for Business and Labor through ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade and Investment.

What is ESRA?

Established in Brussels in September 2023, ESRA brings together 39 European regions with advanced semiconductor ecosystems and some of the most proactive semiconductor development policies in Europe. Of these, 13 are founding regions, including Catalonia. Catalonia’s participation is coordinated through the Ministry for Business and Labor, via the Directorate General for Industry and the agency for business competitiveness, ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade and Investment. Together, ESRA’s member regions account for more than 50% of the European Union’s GDP.

The objective of ESRA is to provide European regions with a single voice in the deployment of semiconductor development policies across Europe, helping strengthen the continent’s technological sovereignty and manufacturing capabilities.

In addition, coinciding with Catalonia’s presidency of ESRA, the region will host Spain’s leading semiconductor industry congress, Chipnation, from December 9–11, 2026. The event will bring together more than 400 participants from companies, organizations and expert institutions across the semiconductor industry in Barcelona.