Politecnico di Milano said Italy’s quantum sector has accelerated since 2022, backed by more than €140 million in NRRP funding and a 2025 national strategy meant to sustain that momentum.
The report says the strategy’s biggest weakness is execution: it cites a need for about €200 million a year for five years, but budget allocations are still unconfirmed and no measurable national targets have been set.
Italy’s supply side remains young but is broadening, with strengths in quantum communication and photonics, three native quantum computing companies raising €56 million in 2024-25, and foreign groups including IQM and Pasqal installing systems in Bologna and Turin.
Demand is growing more cautiously: about 15 Italian end-user companies have publicly joined quantum computing projects in three years, while 41% of large companies now have some ecosystem ties and quantum-security awareness has climbed to 74% from 31%.
The study places that progress in a tougher global context, noting quantum-native companies raised $15 billion worldwide in 2020-25, with Europe hosting one-third of firms but capturing only 13% of funding versus 68% for the United States.
As foreign giants establish a foothold, can Italy's native quantum startups secure the capital and talent needed to truly compete?
Why is Italy’s competition authority investigating the quantum industry for future monopolies before the market has even fully formed?
With quantum threats now critical in 2026, why are Italian firms not acting on the urgent need for quantum-safe security?
Italy’s National Quantum Strategy 2025: Ambition Meets a €200 Million Funding Shortfall
Overview
Italy launched its National Quantum Strategy in 2025, aiming to strengthen its role in the global quantum landscape through a coordinated national effort aligned with European Union ambitions. The strategy sets a high funding target of €200 million annually over five years to match leading European nations and foster competitive growth and innovation. However, crucial budget allocations remain unconfirmed, creating a significant gap between Italy’s strategic intent and actual financial support. This funding uncertainty threatens to undermine Italy’s ambitions, highlighting the urgent need for concrete investment to turn its vision for quantum leadership into reality.