Schleswig-Holstein is taking a bold digital leap: within three months, the northern German state plans to remove Microsoft software from all government workplaces, replacing it with Linux and open-source alternatives.
The transition will impact around 30,000 employees, including civil servants, police officers, and judges, with teachers to follow later. The move isn’t just about cost, though the state expects to save millions on licensing fees,but also about gaining control over its digital infrastructure. Officials say relying on US-based tech giants risks exposing sensitive data to foreign jurisdictions.
Digitalisation Minister Dirk Schrödter, announcing the shift via an open-source video platform, stressed the importance of “digital sovereignty.” Recent global tensions, he noted, have underscored Europe’s dependence not only on foreign energy but also on foreign technology.
The state began planning the migration in 2024, citing lack of control over proprietary software and the need for better data security. The changes include moving from Microsoft Azure to a European-based cloud and swapping out Office and Outlook for LibreOffice, Open-Xchange, and Thunderbird. KDE Plasma will serve as the new Linux desktop interface, with likely candidates including Kubuntu and openSUSE.
While some may recall Munich’s failed Linux experiment, open-source adoption in Europe is gaining traction. France’s Gendarmerie, for instance, has successfully run Ubuntu-based systems on over 100,000 workstations for more than a decade.
Schleswig-Holstein’s shift reflects a broader European trend: moving toward tech independence. And this time, it may just stick.