Dutch government cuts back on ESA spending

The Dutch government has allocated a 344.3-million-euro budget for European Space Agency-related projects for 2026-2028. That’s a step back compared to the previous three-year period, in which funding totaled 373.3 million euros, including a one-off boost from the National Growth Fund.

In a letter to parliament, Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans emphasized the strategic importance of ESA for Dutch industry, innovation and security. He notes, however, that the Netherlands’ budget still falls short of what could be expected from a country of this size. He leaves any decision on a structural budget increase to a future administration.

Despite hosting a major ESA site in Noordwijk, Dutch ESA spending is well below the European average of 0.06 percent of GDP, according to the Report on the European Space Economy 2024. The Dutch space sector has repeatedly warned that structural underspending will result in loss of momentum and a potential relocation of the facility in Noordwijk.