Why data sovereignty, location, and infrastructure resilience are becoming strategic assets in the AI era.
Switzerland hosts over 100 data centers, concentrated in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, and Bern. In 2024, the market was worth close to CHF 1 billion and is projected to almost double by 2030. Microsoft is investing around CHF 360 million to upgrade four sites near Zurich and Geneva, meeting rising demand while ensuring data remains within Swiss borders.
Location is a geopolitical choice: it defines jurisdiction, data access rights, digital sovereignty, national security, and soft-power influence. Switzerland offers a secure, privacy-focused, and strategically located environment for data storage. Many foreign companies choose it for its neutrality, strict data-protection laws, absence of US/EU jurisdiction, premium infrastructure, and strong “Swiss banking” reputation. Key sectors include finance, healthcare/pharma, luxury manufacturing, tech/SaaS, and international organizations.
Although Swiss hosting is more expensive—due to high operating costs, premium security, smaller scale, and the “data sovereignty” premium—companies are willing to pay for compliance, customer trust, reduced legal risk, and improved latency. Many now follow a hybrid cloud approach, storing sensitive data in Swiss facilities while using global cloud services for other workloads. With hyperscalers opening Swiss regions, businesses can combine the capabilities of global platforms with the assurance that data remains within Swiss borders.