Space Tech Expo Europe 2026 in Bremen: a visitor's guide

Space Tech Expo Europe 2026 takes place from 17 to 19 November at CONGRESS BREMEN – Messe Bremen in Bremen, Germany. The organiser, Smarter Shows, calls it Europe’s largest B2B space event. One pass covers the exhibition, four conferences and the Skills Lab. This is also the last edition in Bremen before the show moves to Frankfurt.

When and where is Space Tech Expo Europe 2026?

Space Tech Expo Europe 2026 runs from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 November 2026. The venue is CONGRESS BREMEN – Messe Bremen, Findorffstrasse 101, a short walk from Bremen’s main station. According to the venue, doors open at 08:00 each day. The exhibition then closes at 17:00 on the first two days and at 15:00 on Thursday.

Day	Date	Doors open	Exhibition hours
Day 1	Tuesday 17 November 2026	08:00	09:00 to 17:00
Day 2	Wednesday 18 November 2026	08:00	09:00 to 17:00
Day 3	Thursday 19 November 2026	08:00	09:00 to 15:00

Plan this trip with care, because it is the final Space Tech Expo Bremen edition. On 17 August 2026, the Bremen Senate announced that the show moves to Frankfurt from 2027. Messe Bremen no longer has room for the growing number of exhibitors.

Who exhibits at Space Tech Expo Europe, and who visits?

Exhibitors cover the whole space supply chain. They range from launch services and satellite operators to materials, components, software and engineering services. The 2025 edition drew more than 950 exhibitors and over 12,000 participants. That is according to the Bremen Senate’s press release of 17 August 2026. Visitors include start-ups as well as large system integrators.

The registration page names two main visitor groups. Technical, engineering and manufacturing professionals form the first group. Commercial, sales and business development professionals form the second. As a result, engineers and buyers can meet European suppliers in one place. Planning to hire in the Netherlands? Our space sector talent map shows where Dutch space and defence employers cluster.

What is on the Space Tech Expo conference programme?

One pass covers four conferences: the Industry Conference, Smallsats Conference, Connectivity Conference and Technology Forum. In addition, the Skills Lab offers masterclasses and workshops, a format the organiser introduced in 2025. The 2026 conference agenda runs alongside the exhibition on all three days.

This year’s programme reflects Europe’s focus on security and autonomy. For example, Space Tech Expo 2026 sessions cover:

• European sovereignty, including IRIS², the EU’s planned secure connectivity constellation
• Small satellites for military and defence missions
• The ethical and legal questions around AI in defence
• Earth observation and direct-to-device satellite services
• A stronger European supply chain beyond launchers and constellations

Because sessions run in parallel, pick your satellite conference tracks before you arrive.

How do you plan a productive visit to Space Tech Expo?

Register online before you travel, then book meetings and map your route. The registration page sets pass rules by visitor type. Technical, engineering and manufacturing professionals attend free. Commercial, sales and business development professionals now pay a fee, because their free registration closed on 19 October 2026. Visitors must be 16 or older.

Preparing for a B2B trade show of this size takes a few practical steps:

• Book one-to-one meetings through the organiser’s B2B matchmaking platform.
• Use the interactive floor plan to find stands by hall.
• Allow extra time at the border. The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. It records fingerprints and a facial image of non-EU visitors on short stays.
• Check entry rules early. Most US visitors travel under the Schengen short-stay rules.

Why does Space Tech Expo Europe matter for US companies?

For US companies, the expo brings Europe’s space supply chain into three days and one venue. Teams can meet suppliers, partners and future hires before they commit to expansion into Europe. However, each early step raises employment questions. Therefore, answer them before your first European hire.

For example, who employs your first engineers, and how do you bring in third-country nationals? Some companies set up a local entity first. Others hire employees in Germany or the Netherlands through an employer of record. In addition, staff who regularly negotiate or sign contracts in Europe can create a permanent establishment, a taxable presence. The right answer depends on the facts, so take advice from counsel or from Octagon. Our article on why US companies choose the Netherlands for a European headquarters covers the first location decision.

Where can you meet Octagon? Stand 4197

You will find Octagon at stand 4197, as listed in the organiser’s 2026 exhibitor list. Our HR experts can discuss hiring, employing and moving people in the Netherlands, Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Bring your questions about European expansion, from a first hire to a full team.

Octagon helps organisations move talent across borders with clarity, compliance and trust. Until your entity is ready, we can employ your people in the Netherlands and then transfer them to you. Meanwhile, you decide salaries, benefits and working arrangements, and we carry the employment administration and its compliance risk.

To book a meeting at stand 4197, email Octagon Professionals at sales@octagon.nl.

Frequently asked questions

When is Space Tech Expo Europe 2026?

Space Tech Expo Europe 2026 runs from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 November 2026 in Bremen, Germany. According to the venue, doors open at 08:00 and the exhibition starts at 09:00. It closes at 17:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the final day, it closes earlier, at 15:00.

Is Space Tech Expo free to attend?

It depends on your role. On the organiser’s registration page, technical, engineering and manufacturing professionals register free of charge. Commercial, sales and business development professionals could register free until 19 October 2026 and now pay a fee. A single pass covers the exhibition, four conferences and the Skills Lab. Visitors must be at least 16.

Where is Space Tech Expo held?

In 2026, Space Tech Expo Europe takes place at CONGRESS BREMEN – Messe Bremen, Findorffstrasse 101, in Bremen, Germany. The venue is a short walk from Bremen Hauptbahnhof, the city’s main railway station. Trams and buses also stop near the halls. From Bremen Airport, the trip takes a short taxi ride.

Is Space Tech Expo Europe moving to Frankfurt?

Yes. The Bremen Senate announced on 17 August 2026 that the show leaves Bremen after eleven years. From 2027, Space Tech Expo Europe takes place in Frankfurt. The Senate gave one reason: the Bremen exhibition centre lacks space for the growing number of exhibitors.