EU Space Days 2026 is the flagship annual event of the European Commission on space policy, business, and innovation, taking place on 26–27 May 2026 at the Hilton Nicosia in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, EU Space Days 2026 gathers senior decision-makers, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and academics from across Europe and beyond.
EU Space Programme: Key Themes
The two-day programme showcases how the EU Space Programme delivers concrete benefits to citizens, businesses, and public authorities. Key themes include the latest developments in Galileo and EGNOS satellite navigation, Copernicus Earth Observation, GOVSATCOM/IRIS² secure governmental satellite communications, and Space Situational Awareness. EU Space Days 2026 also highlights emerging EU priorities such as space for defence, quantum communications, and the growing role of space infrastructure in European strategic autonomy.
Sessions explore how Copernicus data supports climate monitoring, agricultural management, and emergency response across the EU, while Galileo’s high-accuracy positioning underpins critical transport, energy, and financial infrastructure. The IRIS² constellation — Europe’s answer to sovereign broadband connectivity — receives dedicated programme time as its development advances.
Cyprus Presidency and Strategic Context
Cyprus hosts this year’s edition in its role as Presidency of the Council of the EU — a milestone that underlines the increasing strategic importance of space for EU member states. The event provides a direct channel between the EU institutions, member state governments, and the European space industry at a pivotal moment for European space policy and industrial consolidation.
The Cypriot Presidency’s programme emphasises space for defence and security, reflecting the EU’s growing recognition that space assets are critical infrastructure requiring coordinated protection. EU Space Days 2026 brings together the voices shaping Europe’s space governance for the next decade.
Who Should Attend EU Space Days 2026
EU Space Days 2026 is the primary gathering point for professionals working with or within the EU Space Programme — from satellite operators and data service providers to policy officials and technology startups. The Hilton Nicosia Conference Centre provides a world-class setting for this high-level policy and business forum. Registration and programme details are available on the official European Commission event page.
Source: www.spaceagenda.com
Photo: EU Space
