Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, a new cloud environment designed to meet Europe’s data sovereignty and security requirements. The platform is now generally available, with its first region live in Brandenburg, Germany, and plans to expand across the European Union (EU).
According to a press release, Germany is the initial focus of investment, and AWS plans to invest €7.8 billion (US$ 9.05 billion) in the German sovereign cloud region over the long term, supporting approximately 2,800 jobs annually and contributing €17.2 billion (US$ 19.95 billion) to Germany’s GDP. Additional investments are planned as the footprint expands to other EU countries.
AWS has established a dedicated European parent company with subsidiaries in Germany, led by EU citizens and supported by an advisory board focused on sovereignty and oversight. Stefan Hoechbauer, formerly head of AWS sales for Germany and Europe Central, has been appointed managing director alongside Stephane Israël.
Stéphane Israël, Managing Director, AWS European Sovereign Cloud, said, “By building a cloud that is European in its infrastructure, operations, and governance, we are giving organisations more control while enabling innovation.”
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, German Federal Government, said, “Global expertise is combined with European data protection and security standards, bringing us closer to a self-determined digital future.”
Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Luxembourg, said, “As home to Amazon’s European headquarters, it plays a pivotal role in Europe’s digital transformation and remains dedicated to fostering robust digital infrastructure that drives economic growth and reinforces Europe’s leadership in advanced technology investments.”
Gonçalo Matias, Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and of State Reform, Portugal said, “The launch of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud and the planned AWS Local Zone in Portugal are fully aligned with the goals set out in the Portuguese Digital National Strategy.”
Frank Feighan, Minister for Digitalisation, eGovernment and Public Procurement, Ireland, said, “We look forward to the opportunities the AWS European Sovereign Cloud offers to use cutting-edge cloud technology while ensuring high standards of cybersecurity and data protection.”
Maria González Veracruz, Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, Spain, said, “This initiative is aligned with the Spanish Government’s digital transformation strategy, which considers data governance as a cornerstone for the development of reliable, useful, productive, and ethical artificial intelligence.”
AWS’s European Sovereign Cloud is physically and logically separate from other AWS regions and is operated entirely within the EU by EU-based staff. AWS says the design ensures that customer data, metadata, and operational control remain inside EU borders, even in extreme circumstances such as global network disruptions.
The platform uses the same underlying technologies as other AWS regions, including the Nitro System, encryption services, and hardware security modules. AWS also plans to extend the sovereign cloud through new AWS Local Zones in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
These facilities are intended to support low-latency workloads and in-country data residency requirements while remaining part of the sovereign cloud framework. Organisations with tighter isolation needs will also be able to use options such as Dedicated Local Zones and AWS Outposts.