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Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially launched its independent AWS European Sovereign Cloud, a new cloud region designed specifically for Europe and located entirely within the EU. This launch, coupled with a planned multi-billion euro investment and expansion into new countries, marks a significant shift in providing sovereign cloud infrastructure to European public sector and regulated industry customers. The initiative is designed to meet stringent data residency and operational autonomy requirements without sacrificing access to AWS's full suite of cloud and AI services.
AWS has launched the general availability of its new, physically and logically independent AWS European Sovereign Cloud, hosted entirely within the European Union.
Amazon plans to invest more than €7.8 billion in the sovereign cloud infrastructure in Germany, supporting thousands of jobs annually.
The sovereign cloud will expand across the EU with new AWS Local Zones planned for Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal to meet in-country data residency needs.
The cloud is operated exclusively by EU residents, keeps all metadata within the EU, and has a dedicated European governance structure.
It offers over 90 AWS services, including AI and compute, with the same security architecture as existing AWS regions.
The launch has garnered support from European policymakers and partnerships with major firms like SAP, Capgemini, and Accenture.
The AWS European Sovereign Cloud is presented as an independent cloud for Europe, built to provide additional choice for customers with the most stringent sovereignty requirements. It is physically and logically separate from other AWS global regions. While AWS's existing EU regions are already considered sovereign-by-design, this new dedicated infrastructure offers enhanced operational autonomy, with all operations managed and secured within EU borders by EU residents.
The service is built on multiple layers of control designed to meet European regulatory expectations. Key capabilities include European operational autonomy, where the cloud can operate indefinitely even if communications with the non-EU world are disrupted. It ensures complete data residency, giving customers control over data location and keeping all metadata within the EU. Security is anchored by the AWS Nitro System and advanced encryption. Furthermore, a dedicated European governance structure has been established, including a new parent company, local subsidiaries led by EU citizens, and an independent advisory board to provide oversight on sovereignty matters.
The first AWS European Sovereign Cloud region is now operational in Brandenburg, Germany. The announced €7.8 billion investment in Germany underscores a long-term commitment to the region's digital infrastructure. The expansion plans for Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal via AWS Local Zones will extend these sovereign controls, bringing low-latency and data residency options closer to customers across the continent. This infrastructure is intended to support local economic growth and digital transformation for organizations in highly regulated sectors like healthcare, government, and financial services.
The launch has been met with supportive statements from numerous European government officials and ministers, highlighting the project's alignment with national digital strategies and data protection standards. Several customers, including EWE AG and Sanoma Learning, have already chosen the platform. A robust ecosystem of launch partners, including major consulting and technology firms, stands ready to deliver solutions on the sovereign cloud, ensuring enterprises have the support needed for migration and innovation.
The general availability of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud represents a pivotal development in Europe's digital landscape. By combining the full breadth of AWS cloud and AI capabilities with legally and technically enforced sovereign controls, AWS is addressing a critical demand from European enterprises and public sector entities. This substantial investment and phased expansion across multiple EU countries signal a strategic commitment to providing a viable, powerful sovereign cloud option that aims to balance innovation with compliance and data residency requirements.
About Amazon Web Services
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