Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the general availability of its European Sovereign Cloud, aimed at providing a fully independent cloud service exclusively located within the European Union. This initiative allows enterprises based in Europe to store and manage their data in compliance with stringent local regulations, ensuring that sensitive information remains separate from other AWS regions globally.
The service will be operated out of Germany and is backed by an investment exceeding €7.8 billion. AWS plans to broaden its reach by introducing new AWS Local Zones in Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. The company stated, “The AWS European Sovereign Cloud’s unique approach provides the only fully featured, independently operated sovereign cloud backed by strong technical controls, sovereign assurances, and legal protections designed to meet the needs of European governments and enterprises for sensitive data.”
The launch is part of a broader trend among cloud providers responding to increasing customer demands and regulatory scrutiny regarding data sovereignty. Major players, including Microsoft, have recently rolled out similar initiatives. For instance, in March 2025, Microsoft introduced a sovereign cloud service catering to both private and public sectors, alongside dedicated National Partner Clouds in France and Germany.
Key Features of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud
The new AWS Sovereign Cloud is designed to be “physically and logically separate” from other global AWS services. This allows European enterprises to fulfill rigorous data residency and privacy requirements. AWS emphasizes that enterprises using the sovereign cloud will have complete control over the storage of their data, including management of all metadata, roles, permissions, and resource configurations.
Importantly, the service will be operated exclusively by EU residents, ensuring that it does not depend on infrastructure from outside the EU. According to AWS, “Its unique design enables it to continue operations indefinitely, even in the event of a communications disruption with the rest of the world.” This feature is particularly relevant in light of rising concerns over potential political interference from the United States, as evidenced by past statements from Microsoft regarding legal protections against government actions that could affect European operations.
AWS also reassured customers that in case of communications disruptions, EU-based employees will have independent access to a replica of the essential source code needed to maintain operations.
Security and Compliance Enhancements
AWS has integrated “leading technical and compliance controls” within the new sovereign cloud framework. The AWS Nitro System allows enterprises to impose strict security boundaries and manage access restrictions for data stored in the region. The company notes that “nobody, including AWS employees, can access customer data running in Amazon EC2.”
Advanced encryption, key management services, and hardware security modules are also part of the offering, adding layers of protection for sensitive content. AWS explained that encrypted data becomes inaccessible without the appropriate decryption keys, enhancing security for enterprise customers.
To further assist organizations in navigating regulatory requirements, AWS has introduced a “Sovereignty Reference Framework.” This framework provides customers with guidance on sovereignty mandates within the region. Enterprises can utilize the third-party validated ESC-SRF auditor report to demonstrate enforceable sovereignty assurances.
As AWS and other cloud service providers adapt to the evolving landscape of data privacy and regulatory demands in Europe, the European Sovereign Cloud represents a significant step towards enabling enterprises to operate within a secure and compliant cloud environment. The initiative not only addresses current concerns but also sets a precedent for future developments in the cloud computing sector.
