The European Union invests 180 million euros in sovereign cloud for European institutions

The European Commission has awarded contracts to four European providers to develop cloud services that comply with the digital sovereignty requirements of the Union.

The European Commission has awarded a contract worth up to 180 million euros for the provision of sovereign cloud services intended for the institutions, bodies, and agencies of the European Union, in an initiative aimed at strengthening the digital sovereignty of the EU.

In short

The European Commission has awarded a contract of up to 180 million euros for sovereign cloud services.

Four European providers have been selected to deliver these services.

The contracts are awarded for six years and target EU institutions and agencies.

The selection was based on criteria of sovereignty, security, and legal compliance.

The objective is to reduce dependence on external providers and increase digital resilience.

The contract allows Union entities to procure cloud services within a common system, under the conditions set by the Commission to ensure control over data and digital infrastructure. The selected providers are European companies, including consortia that bring together operators such as OVHcloud, Scaleway, StackIT, and Proximus, in partnership with other technology actors.

The selection was made based on the Commission's cloud sovereignty framework, which includes eight major objectives. These cover strategic, legal, and operational aspects, as well as the transparency of supply chains, security, technological openness, and compliance with Union legislation.

A central element of the awarding process is limiting the influence of actors outside the Union on the services offered. To be eligible, providers had to demonstrate that non-EU countries have limited control over the technologies used and the services provided, even in the case of technological partnerships.

The Commission decided to award four contracts in parallel to avoid dependence on a single provider and to ensure diversification and resilience of the digital infrastructure. This approach reflects concerns related to the security of supply chains and the EU's ability to maintain control over critical technologies.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the strategic autonomy of the Union in the digital domain. The Commission emphasizes that the widespread use of cloud services developed in compliance with European standards is essential for achieving this objective and for creating a common framework at the level of the internal market.

The contract is also designed as an industrial policy tool. By establishing strict selection criteria and using its own budget for procurement, the Commission aims to create a standard for the European cloud market and to stimulate the development of local providers capable of meeting these requirements.

At the same time, the European executive is preparing to update the cloud sovereignty framework and develop a broader legislative package regarding technological sovereignty. This will include, among other things, the Cloud and AI Development Act, which will define standards for cloud services and artificial intelligence at the single market level and will support the market entry of new providers.

The contract was launched in October 2025 under the Cloud III Dynamic Purchasing System and represents a step towards strengthening European digital infrastructure. The initiative comes in a context where the European Union seeks to reduce dependence on global cloud service providers and increase control over sensitive data.

The concept of "sovereign cloud" refers to services that comply with EU legislation and ensure control over data and infrastructure, including regarding access by external actors. This is considered a central element of the European strategy for digital autonomy and cybersecurity.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/uniunea-europeana-investeste-180-de-milioane-de-euro-in-cloud-suveran-pentru-institutiile-europene