EU Space Act

Background

In line with the Draghi and Letta reports, and more recently in the Competitiveness Compass and the Commission work programme for 2025, the European Commission has set EU space law as a key priority.

With a view to introducing a harmonised framework for space activities across the Union, the Commission launched a legislative initiative on 25 June 2025. The EU Space Act aims to ensure safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability, while boosting the competitiveness of the EU space sector.

• Safety - The Act introduces robust rules for tracking space objects and mitigating space debris, preserving Europe’s secure and uninterrupted access to space.
• Resilience - Tailored cybersecurity requirements will strengthen protection of European space infrastructure and ensure business continuity.
• Sustainability - Operators will need to assess and reduce the environmental impact of their space activities, while benefiting from support for innovation in emerging technologies like in-orbit servicing and debris removal.

The new rules will apply to both EU and non-EU operators providing space services in Europe. Proportional requirements will be scaled based on company size and risk profile, ensuring a fair, innovation-friendly regulatory environment.

Currently, Europe’s regulatory landscape is fragmented: there are 13 different national approaches. This increases complexity and costs for businesses. The EU Space Act will create a single market for space activities, making it easier for companies, particularly start-ups and SMEs, to grow and operate across borders.

Key points

The EESC:

• urges structurally and immediately strengthening European public investment in space and increasing space investment to at least 0.2% of GDP by 2030.
• recommends linking the European Space Strategy to European strategic autonomy and encouraging complementary ecosystems and the multiplier effect of the space economy in support of specific sectors.
• calls for adequate resources for the operational reinforcement of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) in the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/835

Opinion type: Mandatory

Referral: COM(2025) 335 final 2025/0335 COD COM(2025) 335 final 2025/0335 COD

Rapporteur: Angelo Pagliara (Group II - Italy)

Date of adoption by section: 12 November 2025

Result of the vote: 72 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 3-4 December 2025

Result of the vote: 195 in favour, 2 against, 5 abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu

Giorgia Bordignon

Administrator

Tel.: +32 546 8535

E-mail: giorgiaandrea.bordignon@eesc.europa.eu