The Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernization (BMDS) aims to strengthen Germany as a data center location. Data centers today are not just infrastructure but a vital foundation for digital value creation and AI applications. A successful strategy must promote investments, innovation, and sustainable energy supply. At the same time, transparent approval processes, secure data locations, and clear roles for the state and economy are needed.
Key Points Briefly
- Data centers are pillars of digital sovereignty and economic value creation.
- Fast, standardized approval processes and available locations are critical.
- Sustainability, energy efficiency, and robust infrastructure reduce costs and increase resilience.
- AI and cloud infrastructure must be powerful, flexible, and secure.
- Collaboration between business, government, and research strengthens innovation and planning security.
Background
The BMDS consultation aims for a competitive and sovereign data center location in Germany. The DIHK emphasizes that the entire commercial economy benefits from resilient digital infrastructure. Challenges include high energy prices, complex approval procedures, and a shortage of skilled workers. Opportunities lie in location advantages, industry-specific specialization, Green IT potential, and increasing demand for GDPR-compliant cloud services. Cooperation with municipalities, research institutions, and public authorities is essential.
What is important for companies
- Providers need legal certainty and clear approval paths for investments,
- as well as access to high-performance hardware, GPUs, and supercomputers,
- alongside efficient, sustainable energy supply and utilization of waste heat.
- Business users need transparency about data locations, operators, and supply chains,
- as well as unified standards and interfaces for scaling digital services.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Germany an attractive location for data centers?
Excellent infrastructure, central location, strong industrial base, and research capacities offer advantages for digital services.
What is the role of the government?
The government ensures planning security, standardized approval processes, regulatory frameworks, and innovation promotion.
How important is sustainability?
Energy efficiency, utilization of waste heat, and Green IT standards reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.
What are the relevant technologies?
AI infrastructure, cloud solutions, serverless architectures, edge computing, and high-performance GPUs are crucial.
How do companies benefit from the data center strategy?
Through stable digital infrastructure, transparent security standards, access to computing resources, and innovation incentives.
Download
DIHK Statement on the National Data Center Strategy for 2030 (PDF, 150 KB) (only available in German)
- Relevant in topic:
- Innovation
- Key areas:
-
- Digitalisierung
- Cybersicherheit
Released 12.03.2026
Contact
Dr. Katrin Sobania
Director Department for Information and Communication Technology | E-Government | Postal Services | IT Security
Arian Siefert
Director Digital Economy