1 in 5 companies is moving data to a local provider

According to the latest data survey by team.blue, the international group that includes Combell, 21% of European businesses, or 1 in 5, are already migrating their data to a local provider, or plan to do so in the near future. In this article, you’ll discover why organisations are re-evaluating their hosting, the surprising role Trump plays, what’s holding companies back, and how a move to local cloud hosting is indeed feasible.

Companies are moving their data

European companies relocating their data again after all the concerns about the American cloud? That’s no coincidence, say the experts at Combell.

"We’re seeing companies becoming much more conscious of where their data resides and which laws apply to it. Especially given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the radical policies of the current US president."

We're getting more and more questions from companies who prefer to keep their data closer to home.

Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell

Why companies are relocating their data

According to the team.blue report, migration decisions are mainly driven by:

“We're getting more and more questions from companies who prefer to keep their data closer to home. Trust and control have become key,” says Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell.

External sources confirm the trend. A March 2025 Techradar article states:

Europe is reaching a tipping point in its pursuit of cloud sovereignty, with 72% of European businesses prioritising data control … while over 70% still rely on US cloud providers.

More and more companies are re-evaluating their cloud services with the goal of increasing data autonomy and protecting against foreign surveillance. In short, organisations want control over their data, risks and reputation.

And yet... many companies still hesitate

Many businesses delay the move, usually thinking they have good reasons:

But doubts come with risks. If you're unsure where your data is stored, who has access to it, or which laws apply, you may be putting your compliance and customer trust at risk.

This Dutch entrepreneur who completed the survey had no such doubts:

The political instability and chaotic behaviour of the US government don’t inspire confidence that our data—and our clients’ data—will be safe in the long term. That’s why I switched to a local provider from team.blue.

This concern also plays a role for our customer Senso2Me. In an interview, founder Alain shared how satisfied he is to work with local partners:

Looking at what’s happening globally with data at AWS and Azure, we’re very happy with the decision we made years ago. Many companies are now backtracking.

What’s more, our bylaws explicitly state that we do not commercialise the data we collect. That’s why I find it so important that our data stays local—right here with us.

The benefits of local hosting

Local hosting offers advantages that foreign providers often cannot guarantee:

• Full GDPR compliance: your data remains within Europe
• Clear oversight and control over who can access your data
• No unexpected legislation like the US CLOUD Act
• Faster support in your own language
• Less legal uncertainty during audits

“For many companies today, local hosting isn’t a luxury, but a strategic necessity,” says sales specialist Simon Van der Heyden.

Migration doesn't have to be difficult

At Combell, we assist companies daily with their transition to a secure Belgian hosting environment. We do this step by step:

1. Analysis of your current setup
2. Custom migration plan
3. Hassle-free migration with zero downtime

“Many clients are surprised by how smooth the process actually is. With the right guidance, migration isn’t a burden, but a real opportunity,” says Simon.

Is migration the right move for your organisation?

Many SMEs, freelancers and digital agencies are asking themselves that very question. That’s why team.blue compiled all insights into one report, based on a survey of over 2,000 European companies.

And find out how other companies are handling data location, migration and control.

They're happy to help you assess whether a cloud migration makes sense for your business too.