Berlin has begun testing open source tools to replace Microsoft software in pursuit of digital sovereignty

Germany is considering abandoning Microsoft software in favor of open-source alternatives, Bild has reported. The move has come as countries across the world seek to boost their digital autonomy and reduce dependence on American technology firms. 

Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs has confirmed that it intends to increase the use of European solutions and open-source software in government operations, according to the report, which was released on Wednesday. In a statement to Bild, the ministry said it is already testing Open Desk as an alternative to Microsoft Office, which could replace Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

One German state has already taken concrete steps. Schleswig-Holstein is phasing out Microsoft products from its administration, replacing Office with LibreOffice, Windows with Linux, and Microsoft Exchange and Outlook with Nextcloud, Open-Xchange and Thunderbird. The program covers tens of thousands of public employees, including teachers, civil servants and police officers. 

Officials have reportedly acknowledged that the transition will not be immediate. The ministry told Bild that raising Germany's digital sovereignty is a process that cannot happen "at the push of a button." 

Bild also noted that the move carries political undertones. The newspaper claimed that reliance on American products is now seen as risky due to the "zigzag course" of US President Donald Trump's administration, which has created uncertainty over Washington's policy direction. 

Germany is not alone in pursuing alternatives to US software. France's police, Denmark's Digital Ministry, and administrations in Austria and Spain have introduced open-source systems in place of Microsoft products. Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela have implemented similar programs. India's Ministry of Defense has rolled out Maya OS, a Linux-based platform, to replace Windows. 

Russia has also accelerated the replacement of foreign-developed software with domestic alternatives. The shift has intensified since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, after which Microsoft and other Western companies curtailed operations in the country. Russian officials have argued that the withdrawal of US tech providers underscored the risks of relying on unpredictable foreign suppliers and reinforced the need to ensure digital sovereignty.