We start the day with one of the most interesting developments in European digital policy. For years, the EU’s public sector has sought true digital sovereignty — control over its own software and data — without sacrificing efficiency. Now, Germany is once again leading the charge.
The state of Schleswig-Holstein, located in northern Germany, has successfully migrated its email and calendar systems from Microsoft Exchange and Outlook to Open-Xchange and Mozilla Thunderbird. The transition involved over 40,000 user accounts and the transfer of more than 100 million emails and calendar entries, all completed within just six months.
LibreOffice and Nextcloud: The Next Phase
With email migration completed, the next step is already in motion: replacing Microsoft Office with LibreOffice across the administration’s computers and introducing Nextcloud as the central collaboration platform. The goal is to reduce dependence on major tech corporations and embrace free and open-source software instead.
According to official reports, the migration has been fully deployed across the state’s public administration — not as a pilot, but as a permanent system. The government highlights that day-to-day work continued without major disruption during the process, a success confirmed by both German and British technical media.
Gradual and Reversible Transition
Beyond email and office software, Schleswig-Holstein’s roadmap also includes testing Linux as a potential replacement for Windows in specific workstations. Officials describe the project as phased, reversible, and fully supported, ensuring users receive proper training and assistance throughout the transition.
Still, the move has not been without criticism. Some judicial and liberal representatives (notably from the FDP) have expressed concern about workflow disruptions and communication challenges during the migration. The regional government acknowledges these difficulties but maintains its commitment to long-term digital independence.
While this may seem like a small step, its impact could be far-reaching. Schleswig-Holstein’s example might inspire other European administrations to follow suit — trading convenience and corporate dependency for greater control, transparency, and sustainability in public technology.
