French Court of Auditors urges faster exit from Microsoft in government ministries

France’s Court of Auditors published a report on October 22, 2026, urging the government to reduce its reliance on Microsoft tools by 2031. According to its estimates, state spending on office and collaborative software reached €100 million in 2025, including €61 million for software licenses, a 50 % increase over five years. Microsoft accounts for nearly 80 % of this market.

The Court recommends migrating to open-source software, with a transition period of three to four years starting in 2027. It estimates this shift could save between €30 million and €65 million annually, or even more if cloud-based solutions hosted in France are chosen. However, migration involves upfront costs and technical adjustments, particularly for business applications dependent on Microsoft. The Court also notes that hosting data in a French cloud does not fully address sovereignty concerns, as the editor remains subject to U.S. law.

The government already has a collaborative suite, La Suite numérique, but it does not cover all office needs. The Court advises strengthening its development with specialized companies and better coordinating the transition through a new structure, Ariane, set to launch in January 2027. Ministries will need to balance savings, security, and service continuity, with some uses requiring more time than others.