Today, we’re announcing that Claude models by Anthropic in Microsoft Copilot are coming into the EU Data Boundary, strengthening model choice for organizations across Europe. This means customers will no longer need to choose between access to Claude models and the Microsoft regional data-processing commitments they rely on. By the end of 2026, organizations in the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will be able to use Claude models across Copilot experiences, including Copilot Cowork, with processing within the EU Data Boundary, where their data is already stored.

Building on our long-standing EU Data Boundary commitments

The EU Data Boundary is Microsoft’s own industry-leading commitment to store and process data for Microsoft 365 and other online services within the EU and EFTA. It goes beyond current regulatory requirements and is built on Microsoft’s comprehensive portfolio of compliance offerings and certifications.

For eligible Microsoft 365 customers in the EU and EFTA, it’s included in our contractual terms, with no opt-in or additional purchase needed. EU Data Boundary commitments reflect Microsoft’s principles of transparency, accountability, and data protection. Organizations that need more granular control can also store Microsoft 365 data at rest in their own country with in-country data residency, available in 10 countries in the EU and EFTA.

Claude models will join other leading models, including Microsoft-operated models, already processing data within the EU Data Boundary. This helps organizations, including those in regulated industries and the public sector, address their compliance requirements as they scale the latest AI solutions across their organization.

Model choice, with consistent commitments

Copilot brings leading models from Anthropic and other providers into one governed experience grounded in your work, so your people can match the right model to the task at hand. Claude models already power work across Copilot experiences such as Chat, Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps, Copilot Cowork, and Copilot Code.

Claude models in Copilot are covered by Microsoft’s enterprise data protection, customer data isn’t used to train generative AI foundation models, and admins decide who can use them, so organizations can take advantage of model choice with consistent security, compliance, and governance.

Looking ahead

Organizations already using Claude models in Copilot won’t need to take any action. Once available, processing for these models will move into the EU Data Boundary automatically.

Organizations that haven’t enabled Claude models yet can turn them on at any time, with processing moving into the EU Data Boundary once available. The setting is disabled by default in the EU and EFTA, and admins can enable it for all users or for selected users and groups in the Microsoft 365 admin center. For details, see Claude models in Microsoft Online Services on Microsoft Learn. We’ll share more details as we get closer to availability.

AI is moving fast, and the best model for a task can change. Copilot gives organizations one governed experience for adopting leading models as they evolve, with familiar security, compliance, and administrative controls. Extending the EU Data Boundary to Claude models is the next step. For organizations across Europe, this means the latest AI in Copilot, with the data commitments they trust.

Learn more about the EU Data Boundary and AI models in Microsoft Copilot.