The European Space Agency (ESA) has proposed a budget of €22.254 billion for the 2026–2028 period, marking a sharp increase from €16.9 billion allocated in the previous three-year funding cycle, as Europe seeks to strengthen both its commercial space sector and its security-related capabilities.
A major contributor to the proposed expansion is ESA’s newly created European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme, which carries an initial budget proposal of €1.35 billion. The programme aims to integrate national space assets and develop new capabilities in areas such as intelligence, surveillance, secure communications and navigation, as part of broader efforts to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
However, the final level of support for ERS remains uncertain. Speaking to reporters on Nov. 25, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said that subscriptions to the programme would remain open for an additional year as defence ministries across Europe assess their participation. “In many countries, we have been discussing with Ministers of Defence, and for them, this is a new approach,” Aschbacher said. “They do not know ESA very well, and we have to explain, and they have to familiarise themselves. And in many countries, it’s probably late in the process to now switch budgets from classic defence spending into ESA.”
Beyond security, ESA’s largest percentage funding increases are targeted at its Commercialisation programme, now operating under the name ACCESS, and its Technology programme, which are set to rise by around 137% and 84%, respectively. ACCESS is designed to accelerate market access and competitiveness for Europe’s space industry, while the Technology programme supports the development of next-generation systems for future missions.
In absolute terms, the biggest funding gains are directed toward Human and Robotic Exploration and Space Transportation, each seeing increases of just over €1 billion. ESA’s flagship Scientific Programme is proposed to rise by €619 million to a total of €3.787 billion.
While the draft budget outlines ESA’s strategic direction for the next three years, final funding levels will depend on formal commitments from member states at the ongoing Ministerial Council, with most subscriptions expected to be confirmed by the conclusion of the meeting.
