Source: European Commission
The European Commission is expected to finalize a landmark decision this month: designating Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the first time the EU’s platform rulebook would reach into cloud infrastructure itself.
Why the designation is unusual
In a preliminary position published on 25 June 2026, the Commission informed Amazon and Microsoft that it considers AWS and Azure, the largest and second largest cloud computing services in the EU, to be an important gateway between businesses and their customers. Notably, neither service meets the DMA’s quantitative thresholds for designation. Instead, the Commission points to vast and entrenched user bases, lock-in effects, high switching costs and large ecosystems. It also noted that the two companies’ AI tool portfolios and partnerships have become a decisive factor in cloud procurement, and that AI demand appears to be retained largely inside their own ecosystems.
The Commission opened the underlying market investigations in November 2025 and must conclude them within twelve months, which puts the final decision deadline in November 2026. Reporting in October 2026 indicated the formal designation is expected within the month.
What changes if the designation lands
A confirmed cloud gatekeeper would have six months to comply with DMA obligations, including data portability, interoperability, a ban on self-preferencing and fairer terms for business users. For European companies, that could mean easier egress, smoother multi-cloud adoption and more leverage in contract negotiations. Fines for non-compliance can reach 10 percent of worldwide turnover, so the incentives to comply are strong.
Both companies can still contest the findings, and any designation is likely to be tested in EU courts, so the practical effects will arrive gradually. Still, European cloud buyers should start reviewing their contracts now.
What European businesses should do now
Map which of your workloads actually depend on AWS or Azure, quantify your switching costs and egress exposure, and evaluate whether a multi-cloud or European infrastructure strategy would serve you better under the coming rules. The companies that prepare early will negotiate from strength once portability and interoperability duties bite.
Need help auditing your infrastructure or preparing for EU cloud rules? Contact the team at Excello Digital for professional advice and hands-on support.