Across Europe, governments are accelerating efforts to loosen Big Tech’s longstanding grip on public-sector digital infrastructure. What began as isolated policy shifts has evolved into a broader continental push to rethink how crucial administrative systems are built, maintained, and controlled. The central theme driving this momentum is digital sovereignty—an ambition to ensure that essential government data and systems remain within national or regional control rather than dependent on foreign technology giants.
This trend has picked up pace in recent years. Denmark drew attention earlier this year when its Ministry of Digital Affairs announced a transition from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, a move framed as part of a broader effort to adopt flexible, cost-effective digital tools that governments can control more directly. Around the same time, Switzerland’s data protection authorities made headlines after declaring that major international cloud platforms were not suitable for storing or handling sensitive personal data, largely due to concerns about foreign surveillance laws and the lack of clarity around how such data might be accessed.
While these developments are helping define today’s digital-policy outlook, one northern German state has been pioneering this approach long before it became a talking point across Europe.
Schleswig-Holstein’s Long-Term Strategy Begins Paying Off
The German state of Schleswig-Holstein is now being closely watched by policymakers throughout Europe because of its early and deliberate shift toward open-source software. Years before digital sovereignty became a political buzzword, the state began a systematic effort to reduce dependence on proprietary tools—particularly Microsoft’s suite of productivity applications.
That early bet is now delivering concrete financial results. According to figures released by Digital Transformation Minister Dirk Schrödter, Schleswig-Holstein expects to save more than €15 million in 2026 by eliminating annual licensing payments tied to Microsoft Office 365 and related services. These savings reflect the near-complete migration of state employees to LibreOffice, the open-source office suite that has become the backbone of the state’s administrative workflow.
The state’s transition to open source has been gradual but steady. Departments across the government have been moving away from Microsoft tools over the past several years, replacing them with alternatives that can be freely used, modified, and maintained. These changes fit into a broader philosophy: software used for essential public work should not be dictated by foreign corporations or subject to unpredictable subscription terms.
Most Workplaces Have Already Let Go of Microsoft
Officials say around 80% of government workplaces in Schleswig-Holstein are now using LibreOffice as their primary productivity platform. This represents the vast majority of day-to-day administrative environments, from routine office communications to drafting internal documents and handling public records.
A remaining 20% of workplaces still rely on Microsoft tools, but the state says these pockets of dependency stem from older, specialized applications that were originally built around Microsoft file formats. Because these programs still require Word or Excel to function correctly, those systems cannot be switched over yet. However, the state maintains that these technical limitations are being actively addressed, with plans to update or replace the legacy systems to achieve full migration.
Officials emphasize that these remaining obstacles do not diminish the overall success of the transition. Instead, they represent the final stage of a multi-year effort that has already demonstrated its viability and financial advantages.
One-Time Investments, Long-Term Rewards
To complete the transition, Schleswig-Holstein has allocated a €9 million one-time investment for 2026. These funds will be used to modernize remaining systems, remove outdated dependencies, and build out the state’s growing suite of open-source tools. Compared to annual licensing payments, the investment is relatively modest—and officials say the long-term financial benefits far outweigh the upfront cost.
By fully embracing open-source solutions, the state gains more than monetary savings. It also avoids being locked into recurring subscription fees and vendor-driven update cycles, which often force costly and time-consuming migrations. This approach gives the state greater control over how its software evolves and ensures that updates align with public-sector needs rather than corporate timelines.
A Case Study in Digital Sovereignty
Schleswig-Holstein’s experience is increasingly cited as evidence that moving away from proprietary software is both practical and economically sound. The financial savings alone—€15 million projected for 2026—highlight how dramatically recurring licensing fees can impact public budgets. For many governments, such savings can be redirected into local digital development, education, cybersecurity, or other essential programs.
Beyond the financial dimension, the state’s transition underscores a broader debate now unfolding across Europe: who should control government data? With increasing scrutiny around U.S. surveillance laws and the obligations imposed on American tech companies, European policymakers are questioning whether sensitive public information should sit on foreign-owned systems.
Open-source tools offer a compelling alternative. They can be hosted on national servers, audited for security, and adapted without external approval. This degree of transparency and control is becoming a powerful motivator for governments seeking greater digital independence.
