TLDR
- Amazon Web Services debuts European Sovereign Cloud Thursday with infrastructure isolated from U.S. operations
- AWS commits over 7.8 billion euros to Brandenburg facility with planned expansion across multiple European nations
- German company staffed entirely by EU citizens will operate and oversee the cloud infrastructure
- Cloud operates autonomously regardless of internet connectivity issues between Europe and America
- Move responds to European demand for alternatives to U.S.-controlled cloud services
Amazon Web Services went live with its European Sovereign Cloud on Thursday. The deployment marks AWS’s answer to rising European concerns about American control over critical data infrastructure.
Now generally available: the AWS European Sovereign Cloud.
Built & operated in Europe, designed to help you innovate and grow while maintaining digital sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/k8TZUS78At
— Amazon Web Services (@awscloud) January 15, 2026
The cloud runs from Brandenburg, Germany, using facilities completely separated from AWS’s U.S.-based operations. Both physical and legal barriers divide the European infrastructure from Amazon’s global network.
AWS Germany’s Chief Technology Officer Michael Hanisch explained the cloud maintains full functionality independently. Operations continue even during internet disruptions between continents or U.S. software export bans.
European organizations are seeking alternatives to American cloud providers. U.S. law permits authorities to access data held by American companies regardless of storage location.
European Management Structure
AWS established a German operating company with exclusively EU citizen leadership. The management structure and advisory board consist entirely of European Union residents.
Future hiring will require EU citizenship for all positions. Stéphane Israël serves as head of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud with Stefan Hoechbauer as managing director.
The system operates without depending on infrastructure outside the European Union. During emergencies, authorized EU resident staff can access backup source code to maintain operations.
AWS built the cloud with security measures and legal frameworks satisfying European requirements for handling sensitive information. The company first revealed these plans in 2023.
Market Competition Intensifies
Microsoft and Google are targeting European clients with enhanced security demands. Microsoft offers European customers exclusive regional data storage upon request.
Google announced 5.5 billion euros in German data center investments during 2024. These three providers command 70% of the European cloud computing market per Synergy Research Group data.
AWS’s European Sovereign Cloud receives backing of more than 7.8 billion euros extending through 2040. The Brandenburg location serves as the initial deployment.
AWS will roll out additional data centers in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal. The company hasn’t specified construction schedules for these locations.
Digital Markets Act investigations currently target cloud services from both Amazon and Microsoft. European regulators designed this legislation to limit Big Tech dominance.
The European Sovereign Cloud provides physical and logical isolation from other AWS regions globally. This design enables continued operation during communication failures with external infrastructure.
AWS hasn’t set customer acquisition goals for the sovereign cloud service. The launch addresses regulatory requirements while competing against Microsoft and Google for European enterprise contracts.
The cloud includes governance controls and sovereignty guarantees aligned with European government and business standards. All personnel involved in operations and monitoring will hold EU citizenship under the operational structure.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
