The decision by Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost state, to phase out Microsoft software from all public administration marks one of the most ambitious moves yet by a European government towards digital sovereignty. This politically charged and technically complex transition—already well underway as of mid-2024—signals a growing wave of government interest in open source alternatives, with potential ramifications felt far beyond the confines of a single regional administration.
The Context: Why Schleswig-Holstein is Saying Goodbye to Microsoft
For decades, Microsoft has been the default provider of digital infrastructure for governments and enterprises worldwide, thanks in large part to the dominance of Windows, Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and latterly Teams. Schleswig-Holstein’s decision to move away from this ecosystem, affecting almost 60,000 employees and teachers, is rooted in a blend of factors: the drive for digital independence, compliance with data sovereignty requirements, cost containment, and a desire to support European technology initiatives.Digitalization minister Dirk Schrödter summed up the mood in a statement, telling AFP, “We’re done with Teams!”—a phrase which TechRadar reports as emblematic of a wider fatigue with reliance on American tech giants for sensitive communication and productivity needs. The move is further catalyzed by geopolitical shifts (notably, renewed EU-US tensions and fluctuating policies under changing US administrations) and persistent concerns around antitrust, data access, and security.
The Plan: Open Source Takes Center Stage
Instead of incremental reform, Schleswig-Holstein has set an ambitious timetable: the transition, which officially began in 2023, is expected to reach completion by the end of 2025. With over 30,000 public employees having already bid farewell to Microsoft’s products, the next phase will see teachers and other state employees follow suit.The specifics of the migration are notable for their breadth:
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) will be replaced by LibreOffice, a mature open-source office suite widely used across Europe but not yet scaled to this magnitude in public administration.
- Outlook, long the backbone of public sector email and calendaring, is being phased out in favor of Open-Xchange, a German-developed groupware solution with open standards compatibility.
- Microsoft Teams will be dropped for an as-yet-unannounced open source German platform—reports suggest options like Nextcloud Talk are on the shortlist, prioritizing full local control of data.
- Windows operating systems will be switched to Linux-based variations, a radical move, given the historic challenges associated with desktop Linux deployment in large organizations.
Analyzing the Motives: Beyond Just Cost
While cost savings are often cited—open source alternatives carry no per-seat licensing fees and avoid ongoing subscription renewals—Schleswig-Holstein’s motivation goes deeper. In a post-Snowden, post-Schrems II world, data sovereignty is central. EU governments face real, ongoing legal risks if they entrust sensitive, non-EU data to cloud or software providers subject to US jurisdiction. LibreOffice, Open-Xchange, and Linux all allow data to be hosted, and often developed, locally, mitigating exposure to third-country legal challenges.Support for regional technology and fostering a resilient digital ecosystem are also factors. By investing in, and deploying, open source software developed and maintained by European teams, the state helps build alternatives to the American or Chinese corporate hegemony. This aligns with both the EU’s broader Digital Sovereignty strategy and ongoing antitrust actions—the European Commission, for example, has repeatedly scrutinized Microsoft’s bundling practices and dominance in the enterprise workspace market.
How Big Is This Move? Comparing with Europe’s Wider Trends
Schleswig-Holstein is not entirely unique in its direction—neighboring cities in Denmark such as Copenhagen and Aarhus are reportedly examining Microsoft alternatives, and France’s Gendarmerie famously migrated tens of thousands of PCs to Linux years ago. But the scale and scope in Schleswig-Holstein set a new bar: the complete abandonment of Windows, Teams, Office, and Outlook across nearly every branch of government, from police to administration to education, represents a continental milestone.This puts pressure on both vendors and other states. Microsoft, already facing the headwinds of tighter EU regulations and increased scrutiny over privacy and antitrust, must contend with the possibility of a domino effect. Other European governments, emboldened by Schleswig-Holstein’s experience, may move more decisively toward open source, dragging procurement practices and policy along in their wake.
Strengths: The Potential Upside of Going Open Source
1. Digital Independence
The clearest benefit is increased digital autonomy. No longer reliant on American decision-making, cloud policies, or potential “kill switches,” Schleswig-Holstein can tailor its IT stack to its own legal, ethical, and practical requirements.2. Security and Privacy
Open source advocates highlight the transparency advantage—code can be audited for vulnerabilities, backdoors, and compliance with regional privacy laws (notably GDPR). Local hosting options further minimize exposure to extraterritorial data access requests.3. Long-Term Cost Savings
Without recurring licensing or cloud subscription fees, open source solutions can deliver substantial cost reductions over time. Estimates from similar projects suggest tens of millions of euros could be saved over a decade, a significant incentive given the budgetary constraints all governments face.4. Stimulating Local Tech Ecosystems
Investing in LibreOffice, Open-Xchange, and German-developed collaboration platforms sends a strong signal to local software firms and engineers. The multiplier effects—more jobs, faster innovation cycles, bespoke customization—may help build a more self-reliant European digital industry.5. Avoiding Vendor Lock-In
Proprietary formats and closed platforms have long plagued government IT—open standards reduce long-term risks associated with legacy data migration, compatibility, and integration.Risks: What Could Go Wrong?
Despite the strong motivations, such a sweeping transition is fraught with risk and logistical challenge.1. Interoperability Headaches
One of the most persistent issues in previous open source migrations has been interoperability. While LibreOffice and Open-Xchange claim broad compatibility with Microsoft’s formats, edge cases and complex documents (macros, advanced Excel features, legacy databases) often break or require significant manual tweaking.Additionally, seamless workflow with counterparties outside the state—other governments, EU institutions, vendors—often still assume the Microsoft stack as a baseline. This can create friction, from minor document formatting annoyances to outright technical blockages.
2. End-User Training and Support
Tens of thousands of civil servants and teachers will require training, not only in new UI paradigms but also in new file-handling, communication patterns, and troubleshooting. Cultural resistance is as real a risk as technical failure; previous public sector migrations (notably Munich’s “LiMux” initiative) faced considerable pushback from staff, and even rolled back some Linux deployments as a result.3. Application Ecosystem Gaps
Many vertical software solutions (in areas like law enforcement, healthcare, and municipal administration) are hardwired to expect a Microsoft environment. Customization or outright redevelopment may be needed to run these on Linux and integrate with open standards, potentially introducing delays and ballooning costs.4. Hidden Costs and Transition Pain
While licensing is a significant line item, the upfront costs of migration — project management, retraining, data conversion, workflow redesign, and risk of lost productivity — can offset or even exceed savings in the first years. Only rigorous oversight and long-term commitment make the investment case successful.5. Uncertain Upstream Support
While open source communities are often vibrant, professional support or guaranteed update cycles may lag behind what Microsoft or other major vendors can provide. In mission-critical scenarios, this can mean higher risk tolerance or the need for backup contingency plans.Geopolitical Drivers and Broader EU Trends
Schleswig-Holstein's move can't be understood outside the larger trend of technological “de-risking.” With growing geopolitical instability—and specific fears over the return of policies like those in the Trump era—European governments are acutely sensitive to potential supplier volatility. EU institutions have issued multiple communications urging member states to reduce dependence on foreign cloud and software providers, particularly for critical public functions.This is supported by continued antitrust attention: the European Commission has repeatedly fined Microsoft over bundling and interoperability violations and is now monitoring cloud dominance as well. By aligning with this mood, Schleswig-Holstein positions itself as both a pioneer and a proof point.
Can This Succeed Where Others Have Stumbled?
The ghost of Munich’s “LiMux” project looms large. Starting in 2004 and rolled out through the 2010s, Munich migrated 15,000 desktops to Linux and open source—but eventually partially reversed course, citing end-user dissatisfaction and compatibility woes. Evaluations later suggested that many failures were managerial (insufficient training, lack of leadership commitment) rather than technical.Schleswig-Holstein says it has learned these lessons. Its rollout plan is phased, with heavy investment in training and communication. By focusing not only on the technical stack but also on workflows and staff buy-in, officials hope to avoid the pitfalls of earlier, isolated migrations. Moreover, the maturity of open source solutions like LibreOffice and Nextcloud has improved substantially in recent years, with more robust document fidelity and cloud-style conveniences.
Early Results: What Has Happened So Far?
By mid-2024, over 30,000 employees have already transitioned to the new stack, with anecdotal reports suggesting an “unexpectedly smooth” process for day-to-day productivity. Initial focus was placed on office functions—email, calendar, document editing—where open standards have reached sufficient maturity to meet the basic needs of most users.Technical teams have had to address occasional snags, particularly with complex Excel macros or proprietary plugins. But digitalization minister Dirk Schrödter notes that the “geopolitical developments of the past few months have strengthened interest in the path that we’ve taken.”
The coming year will see wider rollouts to specialized branches—police, judiciary, education—where requirements and legacy systems may be more complex.
The International Echo: Who is Watching?
Schleswig-Holstein has attracted interest far beyond Germany’s borders. Delegations from other German states, Denmark, France, and the Netherlands have engaged with project leaders, seeking lessons for their own digital sovereignty efforts. The debate is no longer “if” open source can play a central role, but under what conditions and with what safeguards.Major vendors are reacting as well. Microsoft has announced new initiatives to make its products more modular and EU-compliant, while local firms in the open source space report rising demand for enterprise support, integration, and bespoke customization.
Looking Forward: Will This Become the New Normal?
As the transition unfolds, key indicators will be scrutinized by policy makers, IT professionals, and end-users alike:- User Satisfaction: Are staff and teachers able to work as efficiently as before?
- True Cost: Do the projected savings materialize once all costs, including retraining and support, are tallied?
- Security and Compliance: Can local teams patch and monitor systems as effectively as with proprietary solutions?
- Interoperability: Will friction with external partners undermine efficiency?
- Innovation: Does investment in local solutions translate into new capabilities or better responsiveness to public sector needs?
Conclusion: The Stakes and the Signal
In cutting ties with Microsoft—Teams, Office, Windows—and betting wholeheartedly on LibreOffice, Open-Xchange, Linux, and other open source solutions, Schleswig-Holstein is not just pursuing cost savings or local control. It is making a profound political statement about who owns and controls the digital infrastructure of European government.The early signs are promising, but much rides on the next 18 months. Success would validate the arguments for greater digital sovereignty and resilience; failure would reinforce the entrenched dominance of legacy vendors. Either way, the world is watching, and the lessons learned here will reverberate far beyond Germany’s northern frontier. The outcome may well redefine what is possible—and desirable—in European public sector IT for years to come.
Source: TechRadar "We're done" - major government organization slams Microsoft Teams as it drops Windows for good
