The Dutch space sector, united by organizations including SpaceNed, NL Space Campus, Province of South Holland, and FME (and supported by Holland High Tech), has issued an open letter warning of the serious consequences of the proposed low national contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Conference (ESA Ministerial Council, CM25) at the end of November. According to the letter, the planned registration is substantially below the level of the previous period, jeopardizing the continuity of crucial R&D projects and threatening contracts with Dutch companies.
In the Cabinet letter of 10 October 2025, the Cabinet announced that the Netherlands intends to reserve a contribution of €344.3 million for 2026–2028. However, this contribution still falls short of the so-called “ESA standard” as laid down in the national Long-Term Space Agenda, which the Netherlands is expected to significantly exceed based on its gross national product. A low national contribution would entail not only economic damage but also strategic risks: including the loss of supply roles within Europe, the drain on talent, and a weakening of the Netherlands' position in space technology.
Furthermore, the signatories fear that such a minimal commitment could lead ESA to relocate important activities, such as those at ESTEC in Noordwijk, to more ambitious countries. The lack of financial commitment is seen as a damaging signal to European partners and undermines the Netherlands' strategic autonomy. The letter calls for reconsideration of the bid, in line with the Long-Term Space Agenda and previous recommendations, and for a more ambitious financial commitment that matches the Netherlands' role and potential in European space.
