Slovakia Joins the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure EuroQCI and Introduces Unique Solutions for the Secure Communications of the Future

_ 24/06/2026_ Diana Cencer Garafová

The Slovak Republic has officially launched its first quantum communication infrastructure, developed under the European project Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure (skQCI). The project forms part of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative, which aims to establish a Europe-wide secure communication network resilient against future cyber threats, including attacks enabled by quantum computers. The project is coordinated by the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) in cooperation with QUTE.sk – the Slovak National Centre for Quantum Technologies.

The newly deployed infrastructure uses Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, enabling the secure distribution of encryption keys based on the principles of quantum physics. In simple terms, it represents one of the first steps toward the development of a future “quantum internet” – a new generation of communication networks capable of providing unprecedented levels of security for public institutions, critical infrastructure, research organizations, and future digital services.

The skQCI project has been implemented since 2023 as part of the EuroQCI initiative. It is co-funded by the European Union through the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and NextGenerationEU under the Slovak Recovery and Resilience Plan. Over the course of three years, the consortium successfully built and tested the foundations of a national quantum communication infrastructure and prepared Slovakia for integration into the future pan-European quantum-secured communication network.

Project Coordinator Djeylan Aktas from the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences briefly presented the project’s key achievements and demonstrated the operation of the quantum communication network.

From left to right: Keith Elder (Petrus), George Kanellos (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens – NKUA), Alessandro Trenti (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology), Catherine Simondi (ID Quantique / IonQ), and Daniel Reitzner (CyberSecurityHub.cz).

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the inauguration of the skQCI project. From left to right: Tomáš Schwarz, Director of the Information Technology Department at the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic; Matej Šalmík, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre of the National Security Authority; Catherine Simondi, ID Quantique / IonQ; Šimon Mičunek, Director General of the Digital Agenda Division at the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic (MIRRI SR); Vladimír Bužek, Founder of the Research Center for Quantum Information at the Institute of Physics SAS; and Mário Ziman, Director of the Institute of Physics SAS.

As part of the project, a unique metropolitan network based on a hub-and-spoke architecture was established, connecting strategic institutions of the Slovak Republic, including the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, the National Security Authority, the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences. The skQCI infrastructure also includes a quantum communication link between Košice and Prešov, as well as a network in western Slovakia utilizing an advanced protocol based on entangled photons.

The eastern and western parts of Slovakia are interconnected through post-quantum cryptographic encryption, creating one of the most technologically advanced quantum communication testbeds in the region. The project successfully implemented and tested several state-of-the-art approaches to quantum key distribution, including technologies based on prepared quantum states, quantum entanglement, and post-quantum cryptography. This has created a unique environment for validating the interoperability of future European quantum communication networks.

The infrastructure connects governmental, academic, and research institutions across Slovakia, including Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, University of Prešov, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trnava University, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, the International Laser Centre, and others.

„Three years ago, we set ourselves an ambitious goal: to build Slovakia’s first quantum communication infrastructure and integrate the country into the EuroQCI initiative. Today, we can present a fully operational network connecting strategic public institutions and academic partners across the country. This is a major milestone for Slovak quantum technologies and an important step toward the future European quantum communication network.“
Djeylan Aktas, Project Coordinator from the Institute of Physics SAS

EuroQCI is among the European Union’s flagship initiatives supporting digital sovereignty, protection of critical infrastructure, and resilience against future cyber threats. In the coming years, terrestrial quantum communication networks are expected to be integrated with the European Union’s planned satellite-based quantum communication systems, creating a continent-wide secure communication infrastructure for public authorities, critical services, and strategic sectors of the economy.

„The quantum communication infrastructure developed at the Slovak Academy of Sciences represents another significant investment made possible through European Union funding. Thanks to this project, Slovakia joins the group of countries with advanced quantum communication infrastructure, which will undoubtedly strengthen the country’s competitiveness.“
Peter Stano, vedúci Zastúpenia Európskej komisie na Slovensku

„The skQCI project demonstrates that Slovakia can be an active contributor to the development of Europe’s strategic technological infrastructures. The quantum communication network that has been built is not only the result of cutting-edge research and international cooperation, but also a concrete contribution to national security and the protection of critical communications in the future.“
Mário Ziman, Director of the Institute of Physics SAS

The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives of the European Commission, national EuroQCI projects, academic partners, and technology companies from several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Greece. The event also provided a platform for discussions on the future development of quantum communication networks, certification of QKD technologies, and the future of secure digital communications in Europe.

Slovakia will continue building on the achievements of skQCI in the coming years. Through the activities of the Institute of Physics SAS and QUTE.sk – the Slovak National Centre for Quantum Technologies, Slovakia is already participating in two major international consortia, CEQCI and QCI-SK-CZ-PL, focused on interconnecting national quantum communication infrastructures across Europe. Preparations for the first cross-border quantum communication links with neighbouring countries are already underway.

About the skQCI Project

The Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure (skQCI) is Slovakia’s contribution to the European EuroQCIinitiative. Its objective is to establish an infrastructure for quantum-secured communications based on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, one of the key building blocks of Europe’s future digital and security infrastructure.

The project was implemented by a consortium of Slovak research organisations, universities, public institutions, and technology partners under the leadership of the Institute of Physics SAS, in close cooperation with the European Commission and EuroQCI partners across Europe.

The skQCI project was implemented between 2023 and 2026 with a total budget exceeding €13 million and involved more than twenty partner institutions from academia, public administration, and industry.