AWS to Launch Standalone European Cloud in Late 2025

In a move set to redefine cloud infrastructure sovereignty in Europe, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially announced the launch of its European Sovereign Cloud, slated to go live by the end of 2025. Designed as a fully independent cloud region within the European Union, the new platform promises to give European customers and governments unprecedented control over their data — while retaining the full power and breadth of AWS’s services.

The landmark project, revealed in a company statement this week, will see AWS establish a dedicated operational organization headquartered in Germany. The heart of the infrastructure will be located in Brandenburg, Germany, backed by a massive €7.8 billion investment. The new region will function as an entirely separate cloud infrastructure — both physically and digitally isolated from other AWS regions worldwide.

A Cloud Built for European Sovereignty

According to Kathrin Renz, CEO of AWS European Sovereign Cloud, the initiative responds to a clear demand from European institutions and businesses for cloud services that comply with stringent data sovereignty and privacy requirements without sacrificing functionality or performance.

“Users don’t want to choose between restricted services and the full capabilities of AWS,” Renz stated. “That’s why we’ve created a cloud that meets Europe’s digital sovereignty demands while preserving the service portfolio, security, and performance our customers expect from AWS.”

From infrastructure and technology to operational teams and governance, every critical component will reside within the European Union. Access to data centers, technical support, and customer service will be handled exclusively by EU-based employees. Furthermore, AWS will establish a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC), as well as an independent oversight board composed of four EU citizens, at least one of whom will be entirely independent from Amazon.

Full AWS Service Stack — with a Sovereign Design

The European Sovereign Cloud isn’t a limited, watered-down product offering. It will deliver a comprehensive suite of AWS services, including AI tools like Amazon Bedrock, Amazon Q, and Amazon SageMaker. These AI services, as well as core computing, database, networking, container, and security solutions, have been engineered from the ground up to align with EU sovereignty principles.

AWS emphasizes that the cloud is being designed for autonomy — even in scenarios where international connectivity might be interrupted. To achieve this, the infrastructure will feature independent networking, dedicated AWS Direct Connect links, and a specialized European certification authority. It will also introduce a Sovereign Requirements Framework (SRF) — a broad, multi-layered system of technical, legal, and operational controls to guarantee data integrity, legal compliance, and system transparency.

A Strategic Expansion in Europe

The move is part of AWS’s growing commitment to the European market. Since establishing a presence in the region in 2010, the cloud giant has invested over €250 billion and currently employs more than 225,000 people across Europe. This latest initiative positions AWS to better serve government, healthcare, finance, and highly regulated sectors seeking cloud solutions that meet European data protection laws like GDPR and the emerging EU AI Act.

Why This Matters Right Now

The announcement comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny over data sovereignty and the role of US-based tech giants in handling sensitive European data. Several EU countries have recently voiced concerns over non-European cloud providers’ access to critical infrastructure. In response, AWS’s sovereign cloud is set to provide a trusted, fully EU-compliant alternative — one that still taps into the scale and innovation of the world’s leading cloud platform.