On 25 June 2025, the European Commission presented its proposal for an EU Space Act, marking a significant step toward a harmonised legal framework for space activities across Europe. This emerging framework will reshape the regulation and governance of space activities and support a more coherent, competitive and strategically autonomous EU space ecosystem.
Three core pillars structure the proposal:
- Safety: Enhanced obligations for space object tracking and debris mitigation seek to safeguard Europe’s secure and uninterrupted access to space.
- Resilience: Targeted cybersecurity and operational continuity requirements aim to strengthen the protection of European space infrastructure against growing technological and hybrid threats.
- Sustainability: Operators will be required to assess and reduce the environmental footprint of their activities, while innovation in areas such as in-orbit servicing and space debris removal is actively supported.
The rules will apply to both EU and non-EU operators providing space services within the EU. Importantly, the framework is designed to be proportionate, with obligations scaled according to company size and risk profile, in order to remain innovation friendly.
However, important challenges are ahead:
- Sovereignty at the heart of space governance: The Act isn’t just about harmonisation but about strengthening Member States’ strategic autonomy in a field where technological (including on dual-use) and geopolitical stakes are at hold. Establishing a clear EU framework sends a strong signal about who sets the rules for accessing and operating in space from Europe.
- Standardisation: The current landscape of 13 divergent regimes creates friction for operators and investors. A harmonised set of norms and safety criteria is designed to unlock cross-border scale and legal certainty across the internal market.
- EU-centred criteria: While aimed at fairness and resilience, bespoke EU-centric procurement requirements risk putting non-EU operators at a disadvantage when it comes to supplying the European space market. The challenge will be balancing open competition with strategic regulatory safeguards — a topic that sparked lively debate throughout the sessions.
The proposal now moves into the EU legislative process, where negotiations in the European Parliament and the Council will determine the final contours of the framework. We will continue to monitor these developments closely and assess their practical impact for industry stakeholders.
Should you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the author of this article, Laura Grauer.
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This newsletter is not a legal advice or a legal opinion. You should seek advice from a legal counsel of your choice before acting upon any of the information in this newsletter.