# France Migrates Government Computers to Linux: Strategy to Reduce Dependence on the US
The French government is launching a migration of some government computers from Windows to Linux to cut reliance on American technologies. This was announced by David Amiel, head of the Ministry of Budget, State Accounts, and Civil Service. The primary goal is to gain full control over data and digital infrastructure.
The switch will start with machines from France's Interministerial Digital Directorate. Specific timelines and Linux distributions haven't been set yet. Microsoft hasn't responded to inquiries.
Linux as the Foundation of Digital Sovereignty
Linux is an open-source operating system that's free to download and modify. Developers offer a wide range of distributions tailored to specific needs, from server environments to highly customizable desktop systems.
| Linux Advantages for Government Agencies | Description |
|------------------------------------------|-------------|
| Open Source | Full transparency and ability to audit the source code |
| Free | No licensing fees |
| Customization | Tailored to security and localization requirements |
| Stability | Proven reliability in enterprise environments |
This approach aligns with European initiatives on digital sovereignty, emphasizing independence from external vendors.
European Context for Ditching Proprietary Software
France is following the EU trend toward de-Americanizing IT infrastructure. In spring 2025, the concept of EU OS based on Fedora Linux was discussed. In January 2026, the European Parliament required the Commission to identify areas of dependence on foreign suppliers.
Other examples:
- Denmark: Phased-out Windows and Microsoft Office in favor of Linux and LibreOffice.
- EU: Plans to exclude Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and AWS from government contracts.
France has already ditched Microsoft Teams and Zoom in favor of Visio—a solution based on open-source Jitsi. By the end of 2026, the medical data platform will migrate to a national development.
Technical Aspects of the Migration
For mid- and senior-level specialists, the migration involves several challenges:
- Software Compatibility: Analyzing legacy applications and porting or replacing them with alternatives (e.g., LibreOffice instead of MS Office).
- Security: Auditing the Linux kernel, configuring SELinux/AppArmor, and integrating with PKI for authentication.
- Scalability: Deployment via containerization (Docker/Podman) or orchestration (Kubernetes) for server workloads.
- Training: Retraining admins on systemd, iptables/nftables, and package management (apt/yum/dnf).
- Integration: SSO with LDAP/Kerberos, migrating Active Directory to FreeIPA.
Choosing the right distribution is key: Ubuntu LTS for desktops, RHEL/CentOS Stream for enterprise, Debian for stability.
Key Takeaways
- France is prioritizing data control through open source, starting with key agencies.
- Part of a broader EU strategy: from EU OS to dropping US clouds.
- Parallel moves: Visio instead of Teams/Zoom, national medical platform.
- No firm deadlines, but the push toward Linux is gaining steam across Europe (Denmark, parliamentary resolutions).
— Editorial Team
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