SAP has taken a decisive step in the European digital sovereignty strategy by announcing the expansion of its SAP Sovereign Cloud portfolio, a move that combines security, regulatory compliance, and artificial intelligence innovation. With this, the German company aims to solidify its role as a key partner in building Europe’s technological independence from major global providers.
Sovereign Cloud as a Pillar of European Digital Resilience
SAP introduced new deployment models that allow businesses and institutions to operate with varying levels of control, tailored to sector-specific and national regulations:
- SAP Cloud Infrastructure (EU): a managed Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform based on open-source technologies, with all data stored within the European Union to ensure GDPR compliance and adherence to local regulations.
- SAP Sovereign Cloud On-Site: infrastructure operated by SAP but hosted in selected or client-owned data centers, maximizing sovereignty in legal, technical, and operational terms.
- Delos Cloud (Germany): a sovereign cloud designed for German public administration, enabling rapid digital transformation aligned with national sovereignty requirements.
“Digital sovereignty will be the foundation of Europe’s next wave of innovation, especially in artificial intelligence,” said Thomas Saueressig, SAP SE’s member of the executive board.
A Strategic Investment of Over 20 Billion Euros
SAP’s commitment to European digital autonomy is not symbolic: the company confirmed a long-term investment exceeding €20 billion. This amount will be allocated to strengthen its cloud infrastructure across Europe, develop compliance frameworks for highly regulated sectors, and accelerate the integration of SAP Business AI within sovereign environments.
The goal is clear: to enable clients across critical sectors—including healthcare, public administration, banking, defense, and industry—to innovate in AI and cloud services without compromising their data sovereignty or relying on foreign jurisdictions.
Innovation Without Sacrificing Control
An key differentiator of this offering is that customers can run their critical applications, such as SAP Business Suite, in sovereign environments while still benefiting from continuous innovation cycles. The integration with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) opens doors to advanced analytics, machine learning, and sector-specific AI applications within highly secure frameworks.
“Europe’s digital resilience depends on secure, scalable, and future-ready sovereign solutions,” stated Martin Merz, President of SAP Sovereign Cloud.
Geopolitical and Technological Context
SAP’s move comes at a time when European digital sovereignty has become a strategic priority. The growing reliance on cloud infrastructures controlled by American giants and China’s rising technological influence have pushed the EU to demand own, regulated infrastructures with guaranteed local control.
The EU Data Act, along with guidelines from the European Commission on trustworthy AI and cloud regulations, reinforces this scenario. The sovereign cloud aims not only to comply with standards but also to create a trusted digital space to drive AI adoption in critical sectors.
Implications for the European Cloud Ecosystem
The expansion of SAP Sovereign Cloud has direct implications across several fronts:
- Enterprise and public sector clients: Access to an integrated platform that enables AI and cloud innovation within European regulatory frameworks.
- Local Data Centers: Opportunities to become strategic deployment partners.
- European Tech Market: Strengthening digital autonomy against non-EU actors.
With hundreds of deployment experts and specific certifications in each country, SAP aims to accelerate trust in regulated environments—from hospitals to government agencies.
Conclusion
This announcement positions SAP not only as an expanding cloud provider but also as a leader in European digital sovereignty, where AI innovation, data security, and regulatory compliance converge. The strategy underscores the message that Europe’s digital future relies on own, resilient, and sovereign infrastructures, capable of supporting both business transformation and regulatory challenges of the coming decade.
FAQ
What sets SAP Sovereign Cloud apart from other public clouds?
SAP Sovereign Cloud offers full control over data, infrastructure, and operations, with storage guaranteed within the EU and deployments in data centers chosen by clients.
Why is digital sovereignty crucial in Europe?
It allows organizations to meet strict regulatory standards, avoid dependency on foreign jurisdictions, and protect critical data in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and government.
What role does artificial intelligence play in this strategy?
Integrating SAP Business AI within sovereign environments enables organizations to adopt AI for various use cases without compromising security or data localization.
When will the portfolio expansion be available?
SAP states that the offering is already available in several European countries and will gradually expand, with more countries and certifications in the coming months.
via: news sap