Denmark Takes Bold Stand on Digital Sovereignty
Denmark's Ministry for Digital Affairs has begun replacing Microsoft Office 365 with LibreOffice and is exploring wider adoption of Linux, citing a strategic imperative to reduce dependency on foreign software providers. Caroline Stage Olsen, Minister for Digital Affairs, stated that nearly half the ministry's staff will complete the switch this summer, with full implementation scheduled by autumn. While Windows remains in use, Office products are being phased out to reinforce national autonomy over critical digital infrastructure.
The move follows similar local actions in Copenhagen and Aarhus, where municipal administrations initiated transitions to open‑source solutions to avoid potential disruptions linked to political tensions with the United States. Licensing costs for Microsoft Office rose by approximately 72 per cent over the past five years in Denmark, underscoring both the financial and strategic dimensions of the shift.
Denmark joins a growing European movement toward digital sovereignty. Germany's state of Schleswig‑Holstein, for instance, plans to migrate some 30,000 public‑sector PCs from Windows and Office to Linux and LibreOffice by 2026. France has promoted 'cloud de confiance' models, while the EU actively develops initiatives like Gaia‑X and France's Bleu cloud to reduce reliance on US tech firms.
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Denmark's strategy goes beyond cost cutting. Its leaders emphasise 'digital sovereignty'—the capacity to preserve operational control amid geopolitical uncertainties. The migration aims to pre-empt scenarios where a foreign vendor might withdraw services over political disagreements, as occurred when Microsoft temporarily restricted access to the ICC prosecutor's email during US sanctions. Stage Olsen pointed out the need for resilience: 'We must never make ourselves so dependent on so few that we can no longer act freely'.
The migration path combines caution with contingency. LibreOffice is being embraced initially; full Windows replacement with Linux is under consideration, but will depend on technical readiness. Stage Olsen confirmed the ministry will revert to Microsoft tools if disruptions occur. This pragmatic stance aims to balance innovation with continuity.
Open‑source alternatives are being deployed across various digital functions. Alongside LibreOffice, Denmark is evaluating NextCloud for secure self‑hosted email, calendar, and file‑sharing services as a replacement for Outlook and OneDrive. Such tools empower users with direct control over data without dependence on hyperscalers.
Implementation challenges remain, particularly around software compatibility, user training, and migrating legacy systems such as Excel spreadsheets utilising VBA macros. LibreOffice's support for advanced mathematical and data‑driven Excel functions remains a concern for many users, especially in finance and technical fields. Experiences from previous migrations—most notably Munich's rollback—underscore the importance of careful planning and staged rollouts.
Microsoft is responding to these developments by introducing its 'Sovereign Cloud' offering across Europe, promising data residency, European-only administrative access, and encryption controls fully managed by customers. These services demonstrate the growing pressure on major tech vendors to align with national digital policy frameworks.
Denmark's strategy fits within a four‑year digitalisation plan that prioritises autonomy, transparency, and resilience. The shift is expected to yield cost savings on licensing over time while ensuring readiness for evolving geopolitical circumstances. It reflects a broader EU ambition to rebalance technological power and foster homegrown digital capacities.
Yet the outcome remains uncertain. Technical compatibility and user adoption will determine whether this effort succeeds or stalls. If Denmark navigates these hurdles effectively, it may provide a template for other nations seeking to assert control over their digital ecosystems and reduce strategic vulnerabilities tied to global tech dependencies.
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