EU Cloud Sovereignty Framework Targets Dependence on US Providers

Europe’s dependence on US cloud providers is facing renewed scrutiny as the European Union moves to make digital sovereignty measurable.

The Cloud Sovereignty Framework (CSF), unveiled in October 2025, builds on initiatives such as Gaia-X and regulations including DORA and NIS2. Its goal is to help public procurement prioritize providers that meet compliance requirements and present lower risks.

The framework favors cloud providers that operate transparently and resiliently, with sufficient sovereignty to protect systems from external influence. It also emphasizes traceable and regionally controllable data paths that remain within the EU legal framework.

Although the CSF does not explicitly list Internet Exchanges (IXs) as a scoring criterion, its supply-chain objectives support decentralized and resilient interconnection platforms. Provider-neutral IXs can help companies, networks, and clouds exchange data with greater availability, security, and control.

The framework is unlikely to transform Europe’s cloud market overnight. However, it could influence public demand and increase the importance of hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-premises environments. Reworking networks around neutral IXs could also reduce long-term provider lock-in risks and exposure to future price increases.

The issue reflects wider concerns across Europe. According to Bitkom’s Cloud Report 2026, roughly 85% of German companies consider Germany too dependent on US providers, while 64% of local users say US government policy has prompted them to review their IT strategy.