The current Bitkom Cloud Report 2026 demonstrates how German companies are deploying cloud technologies, which strategies they are pursuing, and why digital sovereignty is becoming increasingly important when choosing a cloud provider.
Cloud computing is now an integral part of corporate IT. According to the latest Bitkom Cloud Report 2026, 86 percent of German companies already use cloud services. A further 14 percent are in the planning or discussion phase. This means that cloud computing now plays a role in practically all companies.
In terms of operating models, the private cloud remains ahead of the public cloud with 64 percent usage, which is currently used by 53 percent of companies.
The cloud is also continuing to gain economic importance. Already 22 percent of companies offer products or services entirely or partially as a cloud service. A further 23 percent are currently working on corresponding offerings.
Many companies are now pursuing clear cloud strategies.
Larger companies in particular are driving this development. While around 16 percent of companies with 20 to 99 employees work entirely cloud-based, this share rises to 26 percent for companies with more than 500 employees.
At the same time, the share of cloud-based applications is growing continuously. Currently, an average of 47 percent of all IT applications are operated from the cloud. For the next five years, respondents expect an increase to an average of 58 percent.
Cloud applications are growing particularly strongly in innovation-driven areas.
Artificial Intelligence
Today, 42 percent of companies obtain AI services from the cloud. Within the next five years, 69 percent already expect these offerings to have high relevance.
Databases
Cloud usage for databases is expected to rise from 58 to 78 percent.
IT Security
Cloud-based security solutions are also gaining significantly in importance. Here, planned usage is rising from 48 to 67 percent.
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While cost savings were often the focus in the past, the priority for many companies is shifting.
For 75 percent of respondents today, improving IT security is the most important goal of their cloud strategy. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous survey.
Other important motives include:
At the same time, cloud spending is increasing. 64 percent of companies already report higher operating costs. For the year 2026, 54 percent expect further cost increases.
The results regarding digital sovereignty are particularly interesting.
For 95 percent of companies, IT security, data protection, and compliance are among the most important selection criteria for a cloud provider.
At the same time, there is a clear difference between actual usage and the desired provider landscape.
Usage versus Preference
Furthermore, 85 percent of companies consider Germany’s dependence on US hyperscalers to be too high. 80 percent are in favor of high-performance German or European alternatives.
However, 43 percent do not yet see any equivalent European solutions for their individual requirements.
Another finding of the report concerns companies’ willingness to switch.
59 percent of respondents see so-called vendor lock-in effects as a significant hurdle when switching cloud providers. Technical dependencies, proprietary services, and complex migration processes make it difficult for many companies to switch to alternative platforms.
The Bitkom Cloud Report 2026 makes it clear: cloud computing has long been established in German companies. At the same time, requirements are changing. In addition to scalability and innovation, IT security, compliance, digital sovereignty, and the avoidance of vendor lock-in are becoming increasingly important.
For companies, this means that in the future, cloud strategies should no longer be evaluated solely from a cost or performance perspective. The choice of cloud provider is increasingly becoming a strategic decision for data sovereignty, regulatory security, and long-term independence.
Particularly against the backdrop of growing requirements for data protection and compliance, German and European cloud providers are increasingly coming into focus. Companies should therefore regularly review whether their existing cloud strategy aligns with their long-term security, compliance, and sovereignty goals.
Bitkom e. V.: Cloud Report 2026 – Strategies and Trends for Decision-Makers.
The full Cloud Report 2026 from Bitkom e. V. is available for free download as a PDF and contains further study results, graphics, and detailed evaluations of cloud usage in German companies.
