European quantum industry group calls for faster export licensing

[ECWAlex98]

Europe's quantum companies want the export licensing system to move faster. PostQuantum's Marin Ivezic reports that the European Quantum Industry Consortium, known as QuIC, has published a position paper on dual use controls. It feeds into the European Commission's review of the rules on goods with both civilian and military uses

Quantum computers were added to the EU's list of controlled dual use items in November 2025. That means companies need licences to export some systems and components outside the EU. QuIC says the process is slow and inconsistent between member states, which puts European companies at a disadvantage

The paper, written by 13 contributors led by David Morcuende of QuIC and Ulrich Mans of QuantWare, makes several practical requests. It asks for electronic licensing in every member state, published processing times, and a 30 day limit for classification opinions. It also wants South Korea added to the list of trusted destinations, a general authorisation for quantum key distribution, and clearer rules for remote maintenance

For context, the EU authorised 77.6 billion euros of dual use exports in 2024 and issued 487 denials. Ivezic thinks publishing processing time data should be the first step, because nobody can fix delays they cannot measure. He also notes that a general authorisation for QKD would need a change to the law itself

Export rules are a dry topic, but they shape where quantum companies can sell and grow. Slow licensing can lose deals to competitors in countries with simpler systems. Clear, predictable rules seem like a reasonable ask

Should quantum technology be export controlled at all? And how much do these rules affect smaller quantum startups?

Quantum Export Controls: What QuIC Asks the EUpostquantum.com