Digital sovereignty is no longer an expression reserved for regulators, technologists, and legal departments. Citizens may not use the term in their daily lives, but they increasingly understand what it entails: dependence on platforms, infrastructures, clouds, payment systems, social networks, AI services, and tech providers that are not under European control.
The report Digital Sovereignty in Europe 2026, prepared by Telefónica Foundation in collaboration with Metroscopia, clearly illustrates this paradox. Only 29% of Spanish citizens have heard of the term “digital sovereignty,” and among business circles, awareness rises to 36%. However, when asked about its implications, concern is widespread. Eight out of ten Spaniards believe Europe depends too much on technology companies from other countries, and 62% think this presence could pose a threat to European security.
The conclusion is not that Spain rejects foreign technology. That would be an overly simplistic interpretation. The key data point is another: Spanish society is beginning to perceive that digital dependence is not just about convenience or cost but also about control, security, competitiveness, and industrial capacity.
Digital sovereignty is no longer just about data
For years, the European debate focused on data protection. It makes sense: privacy, compliance, and international transfers have shaped much of the technological conversation. But the report broadens the focus. Digital sovereignty is defined as a country’s, organization’s, or society’s ability to exercise control and autonomy over its data, technologies, and digital infrastructures, aligned with its norms and interests, while reducing strategic dependence on third parties.
This definition shifts the landscape. It’s not just about knowing where a database is stored. It also matters who operates the cloud, who controls the network infrastructure, which provider delivers AI services, which platform manages payments, which company defends against cyberattacks, and Europe’s capacity to develop its own technology.
82% of citizens and 86% of business decision-makers believe Europe depends on technology companies from other countries. Additionally, 69% of citizens think Europe is falling behind the US and China in the technological race, a perception that rises to 73% among business profiles.
| Report Indicator | Citizens | Businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Have heard of “digital sovereignty” | 29 % | 36 % |
| Believe Europe depends on foreign tech companies | 82 % | 86 % |
| View this dependence as a threat to European security | 62 % | 49 % |
| Believe Europe should have its own platforms | 86 % | 87 % |
| Think Europe is falling behind the US and China | 69 % | 73 % |
| Would prioritize a European provider offering similar services | 70 % | 69 % |
An important nuance: the demand for sovereignty does not equate to automatic protectionism. 70% of citizens and 69% of companies would prioritize a European platform if it offered the same services as a non-European one. That condition is crucial. Europe must not only build alternatives but also build competitive alternatives.
AI, cloud, and cybersecurity are the main concerns
Artificial intelligence is perceived as the area where companies feel most dependent on non-European providers. 73% of decision-makers list it among the top three most dependent fields, followed by cloud services at 48%, and cybersecurity at 39%.
The straightforward takeaway is that the layers shaping the digital economy in the coming years are also perceived as the most dependent. AI requires models, data, chips, data centers, cloud, talent, and deployment tools. The cloud supports applications, databases, backups, analytics, and critical services. Cybersecurity protects all of the above.
In citizen perception, AI platforms and payment systems generate the most concern as potential threats to European security: both reach 76%. They are followed by social networks at 70%, messaging apps with 64%, and search engines at 62%.
This concern has both emotional and technical foundations. An economy dependent on external platforms for payments, AI, communication, search, cloud, and security is exposed to contractual changes, geopolitical tensions, market concentration, regulatory decisions beyond its control, and potential access restrictions.
Spain seeks its own infrastructure
The report also narrows the debate to very specific layers. A large majority of citizens consider it important for Spain to have its own infrastructure and technological services to reduce dependence on foreign entities and control its data. 86% highlight cybersecurity services, another 86% telecommunications networks, 83% data centers, and 79% cloud services.
| Infrastructure or Service | Citizens who consider it important |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity services | 86 % |
| Telecommunications networks | 86 % |
| Data centers | 83 % |
| Cloud services | 79 % |
The telecommunications figure is particularly significant. 77% of respondents believe that telecom networks are a critical infrastructure for Spain’s digital sovereignty. This isn’t a minor perception: without resilient, well-managed networks of our own, the rest of the digital economy remains built on a fragile foundation.
This connects to a debate often outside public focus. Digital sovereignty doesn’t begin with the final application or user interface. It starts much earlier: fiber, interconnection, data centers, cloud, DNS, cybersecurity, identity, payment systems, enterprise software, and the capacity to run critical services without full reliance on third parties.
The report also shows that social demand outpaces awareness of alternatives. Two-thirds of citizens are unaware of any European tech platforms. Among companies, 66% also lack knowledge of European alternatives. It’s a matter of willingness to choose European technology, but visibility, market scale, and often a clear narrative about available options and their uses are missing.
Companies: concern, opportunity, and pragmatism
In the business sphere, the report reflects a mix of concern and pragmatism. 91% of decision-makers believe European governments should promote the development of European technology, and 60% think Europe should focus on creating alternative technologies rather than just regulating the dominance of large non-European platforms.
At the same time, companies are not opposed to AI. On the contrary: 62% see AI more as an opportunity than a threat, and 64% report that their organization has used some AI tool in the past year. Only 13% believe their company has employees who could be replaced by AI.
These data paint a clear picture of the current moment. Companies want to use AI, cloud, and digital platforms because they need them to compete. But they also see dependence on external providers as a potential risk. Digital sovereignty is not about renouncing global technology but about having more options, more control, and greater bargaining power.
There is also concern about company data. 75% of decision-makers worry about non-European tech giants accessing their banking information; 70% worry about property and fiscal data; 61% about customer and supplier data; and 63% about security and technology-related information.
Europe’s challenge: making alternatives better, not just European
The demand exists. The concern exists. The appetite for European alternatives is there. But the report raises an uncomfortable question: if seven out of ten citizens and companies would prioritize European platforms with similar services, why aren’t these platforms more prevalent already?
The answer has multiple layers. Europe has regulated vigorously but hasn’t always scaled technology as quickly as the US or China. It has talent, operators, data centers, cybersecurity firms, cloud providers, industrial manufacturers, and software projects, but struggles to turn them into globally adopted platforms. Market fragmentation—linguistic differences, national frameworks, complex public procurement, and lower investment appetite in some phases—all play a role.
Digital sovereignty isn’t built solely through speeches or European labels. It requires functioning products, competitive prices, reliable support, interoperability, portability, good performance, security, regulatory compliance, and growth capacity. If a European alternative doesn’t match the service, many buyers will still choose the dominant provider, even if they acknowledge their dependence.
This is where Europe and Spain have opportunity. The report doesn’t depict a technophobic society but one that desires more control over technology already used daily. 69% of citizens depend on digital devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers; 52% believe they would be significantly affected if they were offline for several days; and 80% are concerned about big tech’s access to personal data.
Digital sovereignty has shifted from an abstract concept to a practical question: what technology do we use, who controls it, what data is involved, what happens if it fails, and what capacity do we have to switch providers?
Europe doesn’t have to isolate itself to be sovereign. It needs to stop relying on a single solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is digital sovereignty?
It is a country’s, organization’s, or society’s ability to control its data, technologies, and digital infrastructures in line with its norms and interests.
How many Spaniards know the term “digital sovereignty”?
According to Telefónica Foundation and Metroscopia, only 29% have heard of it, though concern about its implications is widespread.
Which areas generate the most concern?
AI, payment systems, social media, messaging, and search engines are perceived as the riskiest for European security.
Does Spain need its own technological infrastructure?
Most respondents believe so: the report shows broad support for domestic cybersecurity, telecom networks, data centers, and cloud services.
Do companies see AI as a threat?
Not predominantly. 62% see AI more as an opportunity, though it is also viewed as the area with the highest technological dependence.
Sources:
- Fundación Telefónica and Metroscopia, Digital Sovereignty in Europe 2026. Spanish Citizens and Companies Facing the Challenge of European Digital Autonomy.
