France has announced plans to migrate government systems away from Microsoft Windows and toward Linux, in a move explicitly framed around reducing dependence on US technology platforms.
TechRadar reports the decision reflects growing European anxiety over digital sovereignty following US tariff actions and the broader geopolitical pressures of 2026. The migration timeline and cost have not been disclosed.
The announcement follows similar moves by Germany's state of Schleswig-Holstein and the city of Munich, both of which have committed to Linux migrations in recent years. France's plan is the largest in scope, covering approximately 5 million government workstations.
The French government cited three motivations: reducing licence costs (estimated at €300 million annually), eliminating dependency on a single US vendor for critical government infrastructure, and improving security by using open-source software that can be audited domestically.
Microsoft has pushed back, noting that France already uses a customised version of Windows that meets French security requirements. The company argues that the migration will cost far more than the savings it generates.