A new digital shift is taking place in Europe, where the government of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein has decided to break away from Microsoft’s influence and fully embrace the Linux ecosystem and open source solutions. This major decision, which affects nearly 30,000 public officials, marks a decisive step in the quest for digital sovereignty and technical control of IT infrastructure within European public institutions. Why this radical change? What are the technical, economic, and political motivations behind this abandonment of Microsoft in favor of Linux?
The German government’s fundamental reasons for abandoning Microsoft in favor of Linux
Schleswig-Holstein’s decision is not limited to a simple preference for open source operating systems. The heart of this project is deeply rooted in issues of IT security and sovereign control over data. The government emphasizes minimal influence over the proprietary processes offered by Microsoft, particularly with regard to the protection of sensitive data. Indeed, in a context where confidentiality is crucial, relying on an American company potentially exposes this data to foreign regulations, as well as the risk of data leakage to third countries. This feeling of insecurity is reinforced by the recent geopolitical situation, particularly the war in Ukraine, which has highlighted the notion of technological dependence and the consequences this can have on energy and now digital sovereignty. Autonomy in the management of government IT systems is therefore becoming a priority to preserve the integrity of the state and its citizens. Furthermore, this choice underpins a desire for transparency and interoperability. Unlike proprietary solutions, open source software like Linux offers the ability to freely inspect, audit, modify, and distribute the source code, which is a strategic priority for maintaining long-term competitiveness and security. We are therefore witnessing a logic of technological independence that goes beyond simply replacing tools. Complete control of data and IT environments
Removal of risks associated with dependence on American software giants Improved system security through software transparency Opportunities for precise adaptation to the specific needs of administrations
This approach is not only technical but also political, rooted in the defense of European sovereignty in the face of dominant global players. Beyond Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark recently announced similar measures by adopting Linux and LibreOffice, a current European trend analyzed in detail onLinux en Caja.
- Discover the benefits of switching from Microsoft to Linux. Explore a more open-source, secure, and customizable alternative that meets your IT needs while offering better performance and an active community.
- Practical steps and open source tools chosen for the government’s migration
- The migration to Linux within the Schleswig-Holstein government is built around a phased and structured plan, ensuring a smooth transition for users and IT operators. This approach addresses the technical complexity of the change and minimizes service interruptions.
- The first phase of deployment involves replacing Microsoft Office applications with LibreOffice, the most mature and powerful open-source office suite. LibreOffice offers extensive compatibility with Microsoft formats, facilitating adoption by public officials. Subsequently, Exchange and Outlook will be replaced by Open-Xchange and Thunderbird, respectively, ensuring seamless communications without having to manage proprietary solutions.
The core operating system will be Linux, with a preference for the KDE Plasma interface, appreciated for its ease of use and customization capabilities. Distributions under consideration include Kubuntu, a version of Ubuntu that integrates KDE, as well as SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) and openSUSE Leap, all recognized for their stability and robustness in professional environments. Beyond traditional features, tools such as Nextcloud will be deployed to provide equivalent alternatives to SharePoint or OneDrive for collaborative document management. This choice illustrates the government’s desire to build an integrated ecosystem controlled by the government. Replacing Microsoft Office with LibreOffice from the first phaseMigration of email exchanges with Thunderbird and Open-Xchange
Implementation of Nextcloud for collaboration and storage
Progressive phasing ensuring a gradual adaptation
This phased approach demonstrates the importance placed on training and user support throughout the transition, a key element for the success of this type of ambitious project. For those who want to delve deeper into the advantages of different Linux distributions, it is recommended to consult feedback and technical updates, such as those offered on
Linux in a box – Linux IT monitoring . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCKNLDfb0ak
Economic impacts and benefits of migrating from Microsoft to Linux in the public sector
- One of the determining factors in the decision of the State of Schleswig-Holstein is the significant cost reduction. Maintaining a Microsoft-licensed IT infrastructure generates high expenses, not only in terms of licensing costs, but also due to regular and sometimes mandatory updates, which can lead to incompatibilities and service interruptions.
- By choosing Linux and open source software, the government aims to eliminate the costs associated with proprietary licenses and make its infrastructure more predictable from a budgetary perspective. This reduction in expenditures is estimated at several tens of millions of euros. These savings are particularly significant in the context of the increasing budgetary constraints facing public institutions. Furthermore, the use of open source solutions allows for increased flexibility in the deployment model and optimization of machine resources, thus avoiding additional investments to maintain heavy and expensive systems. Choosing high-performance distributions such as optimized variants of Rocky Linux or Ubuntu-based systems guarantees long-term stability. Elimination of Microsoft licensing fees
- Reduction in costs related to mandatory updates and migrations
- Optimization of hardware resources thanks to Linux
- Reduction of risks related to interruptions and incompatibilities
Possibility of reinvesting savings in skills and security Furthermore, migration also brings benefits in terms of maintenance : Open source allows for better vulnerability detection and remediation, increasing overall security. Centralized Linux-based management facilitates targeted updates without surprises. Sysadmin teams can automate common tasks using standard tools, such as nmcli for Linux network configuration, making it easier to manage connections and devices in a complex environment. Discover why switching from Microsoft to Linux can be a great decision. Learn about the benefits of an open-source alternative, the customization, enhanced security, and potential cost savings. Transform your IT experience with Linux today!Technical challenges and lessons from previous European experiences with Linux in the public sector
However, it would be wrong to conclude that this approach was doomed to failure. In reality, most of the problems encountered at the time related to change management, compatibility with a number of specialized applications, and sometimes insufficient user support. Since then, Linux distributions have made enormous progress in terms of usability, compatibility, and stability.
Furthermore, other European initiatives have been more successful, particularly within the French Gendarmerie. The latter has been using the GendBuntu distribution, a customized version of Ubuntu, for over a decade, with a remarkable adoption rate reaching over 97% of the computer population, or approximately 103,000 computers to date. The recent upgrade to GendBuntu 24.04 LTS demonstrates the sustainability of this solution.
Importance of the human factor and training in the project’s success
Need for rigorous and personalized technical support Rapid evolution of Linux distributions in recent years Confirmed successes such as the French Gendarmerie’s migration to GendBuntu
- Constant adaptation to the specific requirements of public administrations
- The lessons from these experiences are valuable for Schleswig-Holstein and other European governments considering reducing their dependence on Microsoft solutions. Up-to-date technical resources, constant dialogue with users, and carefully calibrated planning are essential to ensure success.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lQZFZE2i4E
- The political and strategic impact of another European government’s abandonment of Microsoft
- Beyond the technical and economic aspects, Schleswig-Holstein’s decision sends a strong message on the European and international scene. This migration illustrates a strong desire to defend European digital sovereignty, an increasingly central issue in political discussions across the continent. Dependence on American software giants is seen as a strategic weakness that must be addressed.
This change is perfectly aligned with a trend driven by other European countries such as France, Spain, and Denmark, which have launched or continued similar projects aimed at adopting Linux and open source office suites like LibreOffice. This European dynamic is notably motivated by: The desire to control national infrastructure and data The desire to encourage local innovation around open source software The need to improve IT security and resilience at the national level The search for better control of public costs
It is no exaggeration to speak of a true digital revolution for European public administrations. This gradual liberation from Microsoft—although technical in its implementation—signals a major awareness of the strategic place of open source software and Linux in the future of states. It’s also an opportunity to explore educational resources on the evolution of the Linux kernel, such as the latest versions of Linux 6.16 and their documented optimizations.