AWS Launches European Sovereign Cloud * Science and Technology Times

Amazon Web Services has introduced the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, a fully independent cloud environment built entirely within the European Union.
The service is designed to meet strict data‑sovereignty requirements for governments and regulated industries.
AWS is also expanding its sovereign infrastructure footprint across additional EU countries to support low‑latency and in‑country data‑storage needs.

A New Cloud Built for EU Sovereignty

AWS announced the general availability of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud on January 15, marking the debut of a standalone cloud region located exclusively within the EU. The platform operates separately from all other AWS regions and is engineered to meet the needs of European governments and organizations handling sensitive data. Its architecture combines technical safeguards, legal protections, and operational independence to ensure compliance with stringent sovereignty rules. AWS also confirmed that the cloud’s coverage will extend beyond Germany to additional EU member states through new sovereign Local Zones in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

The company emphasized that its global cloud and AI infrastructure has long been designed with sovereignty in mind. Customers retain full control over where their data is stored and how it moves, supported by AWS’s established security and resilience measures. Many organizations already meet EU requirements using existing AWS regions, but the new sovereign cloud offers an additional option for those requiring deeper isolation. The goal is to provide advanced cloud capabilities without compromising on regulatory expectations.

Infrastructure Expansion Across Europe

The rollout of new AWS Local Zones gives organizations more flexibility in deploying workloads that require strict data‑residency or low‑latency performance. Local Zones allow customers to store data within specific geographic locations while maintaining access to AWS services. The newly announced zones form part of the European Sovereign Cloud, extending sovereignty controls from the German region to the broader EU. Customers with even stricter requirements can use Dedicated Local Zones, AWS AI Factories, or AWS Outposts in locations of their choosing, including their own data centers.

AWS leaders highlighted the importance of providing access to advanced cloud and AI technologies within Europe. They noted that customers want the full AWS service portfolio while ensuring compliance with sovereignty mandates. By building a cloud environment governed, operated, and staffed entirely within the EU, AWS aims to support innovation while maintaining strong control over digital assets. The company sees this approach as a way to help European organizations accelerate growth and pursue AI‑driven initiatives with confidence.

Governance, Security, and Compliance

The AWS European Sovereign Cloud incorporates multilayered controls to meet the needs of customers with strict digital‑sovereignty obligations. All operations, infrastructure, and personnel are located within the EU, and no operational oversight exists outside the region. The cloud is physically and logically isolated from other AWS regions and is run exclusively by EU‑resident employees. Even in extreme scenarios where global connectivity is disrupted, authorized EU‑based staff retain independent access to the replicated source code needed to maintain services.

Customers can store all metadata—including roles, permissions, resource tags, and configuration data—entirely within the EU. Security is enforced through the AWS Nitro System, which provides strong physical and logical boundaries that prevent unauthorized access to customer data. Additional protections include encryption, key‑management tools, and hardware security modules. AWS also introduced the Sovereignty Reference Framework (ESC‑SRF), an independently validated model that helps organizations demonstrate compliance through third‑party audit reports.

A dedicated European governance structure supports the cloud’s operation. AWS established a new parent entity and three German subsidiaries led by EU citizens who are legally required to act in the best interest of the sovereign cloud. An advisory board composed of Amazon employees and independent members provides oversight on sovereignty‑related matters. This structure is intended to ensure accountability and alignment with European regulatory expectations.

Supporting European Innovation

Organizations using the AWS European Sovereign Cloud gain access to more than 90 services across categories such as AI, compute, containers, databases, networking, security, and storage. The offering mirrors the performance, architecture, and APIs of AWS’s global services, allowing customers to build and scale applications without adopting new tools. Regulated industries—including public administration, healthcare, finance, defense, aviation, energy, and telecommunications—can now deploy workloads while meeting strict compliance and data‑sovereignty requirements.

The expansion reflects AWS’s broader investment in Europe’s digital capabilities. By providing a sovereign cloud that maintains operational independence while offering advanced cloud technologies, AWS aims to support long‑term innovation across the region. The company expects the new infrastructure to help organizations modernize systems, adopt AI solutions, and meet evolving regulatory standards.