Political backing, new technical studies and growing public visibility are driving progress for the Einstein Telescope across Europe. The three candidate regions: Euregio Meuse-Rhine, Sardinia, and Lusatia, enjoy strong government support as they advance feasibility and noise studies while preparing for their bidbooks. The competition between the candidate regions can also be felt, with Sardinia and Lusatia even discussing plans for a joint bid. Discover how the candidate host consortia are advancing their plans – and why the past few months have marked an especially dynamic period.
January–March 2026
Sardinia and Saxony have strengthened their cooperation around ET in recent months. In January 2026, the two regions signed a declaration of intent in Rome to reinforce scientific collaboration and support the possible double-L configuration. In March, delegations met again in Dresden to discuss next steps, including the possibility of preparing a joint bid.
Read: Declaration of intent between Sardinia and Saxony
Read: Dialogue between Italy and Saxony continues
February–March 2026
The new Dutch governing coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to the Einstein Telescope. Its agreement confirms that the Netherlands will continue cooperating with Germany and will support the upgrade of the ETpathfinder lab in Maastricht. In March 2026, the Euregio Meuse-Rhine candidacy also strengthened its internal coordination when Hans Plets became chair of the EMR administrative task force, which brings together government partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Read: Einstein Telescope also a priority for new Dutch government
Read**:** Hans Plets new chair of EMR Task Force
November–December 2025
Support for the candidacy of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine continued to grow in Belgium. In November 2025, ET Flanders was launched and the Belgian Federal Parliament unanimously backed the candidacy for the Einstein Telescope. In December, Wallonia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to mobilise institutions, industry, and academia behind the project.
Read: ET Flanders launched and federal parliament supports telescope
Read: The Walloon Memorandum of Understanding
November 2025–February 2026
A key administrative milestone for the Sos Enattos candidacy came in November 2025, when the preliminary Conference of Services gave a unanimous positive assessment for the preparatory study related to the possible construction of the Einstein Telescope in Sardinia. The approval covered both configurations currently under discussion and strengthened the Italian candidacy. In February 2026, Sardegna Ricerche also launched a €4 million call to help local SMEs join the future ET supply chain, adding an industrial dimension to the region’s preparations.