Summary:
1. Over half of EU enterprises used paid cloud services in 2025, marking a significant increase from previous years.
2. Cloud-based software, storage, and computing power are increasingly essential for businesses seeking flexibility and cost efficiency.
3. Adoption of advanced cloud use cases is on the rise, with email, office software, and file storage being the most common applications.
Rewritten Article:
In 2025, a majority of enterprises in the European Union turned to paid cloud computing services, showcasing a steady trend towards cloud adoption in business operations. Data recently released by Eurostat revealed that 52.7% of EU enterprises utilized paid cloud services last year, indicating a notable increase of 7.4 percentage points compared to 2023.
This shift towards cloud-based solutions highlights a growing reliance on cloud-based software, storage, and computing power as integral components of everyday enterprise IT strategies. Companies are embracing cloud services for their ability to provide flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency, driving their integration into core business operations.
The progression towards cloud adoption becomes even more apparent when looking at long-term trends. In 2014, less than 20% of EU enterprises utilized paid cloud services. However, by 2025, this number had significantly increased, underscoring the rapid transition of cloud computing from early adoption to mainstream deployment over the past decade. While some countries like Finland, Italy, and Malta led in cloud adoption rates, others such as Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria reported lower levels of cloud usage.
Notably, countries that previously lagged behind in cloud adoption experienced significant growth between 2023 and 2025. Lithuania saw the largest increase in adoption rates, followed by Italy and France. These developments indicate a heightened pace of cloud uptake as enterprises modernize their IT environments and expand digital services.
When it comes to advanced cloud use cases, email emerged as the most common application, followed by office software and file storage in 2025. However, more sophisticated cloud services like enterprise resource planning software, customer relationship management, and application development platforms are gaining traction at a slower pace, showcasing opportunities for further growth in higher-value cloud services.
Overall, the shift towards cloud adoption in EU enterprises signifies a fundamental change in how businesses approach IT solutions, emphasizing the importance of cloud-based technologies for enhancing operational efficiency and driving innovation in the digital age.
