Belgium: Europe's Rising Digital Powerhouse in Data Centers
Belgium is rapidly evolving from a quiet corner of Europe into a strategic hub for data centers. While often overshadowed by the established "FLAPD" markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin), Belgium is attracting significant investments, poised to double its data center capacity by 2027. This surge is fueled by its central location, robust connectivity, a commitment to sustainability, and the ever-growing demands of an increasingly digital world.
The Strategic Appeal of Belgium
Situated at the heart of Europe, Belgium offers unparalleled low-latency connectivity to major markets like Germany, France, the Netherlands, and beyond. This strategic position is crucial for businesses requiring fast and reliable data transfer across the continent. Belgium boasts comprehensive LTE coverage, ongoing 5G rollouts, and extensive fiber optic networks. The government’s "Digital Belgium" strategy further aims to eliminate any remaining “white zones” and ensure ultra-fast broadband nationwide, solidifying the country's commitment to digital infrastructure. Recent restrictions and capacity constraints in Tier 1 hubs in Europe have pushed hyperscale operators to explore alternative locations. Belgium, with its business-friendly climate and proactive approach to digital infrastructure, has emerged as an attractive alternative.
Key Trends Shaping the Belgian Data Center Market
The Belgian data center landscape is undergoing significant transformation, marked by several key trends.
Hyperscale Expansion: Tech giants are making substantial investments in Belgian data center infrastructure. Google has invested billions in its Saint-Ghislain campus and plans further expansion near Charleroi. Microsoft, through its "Digital amBEtion" project, is establishing three Azure data centers in the Brussels region.
Hybrid and Edge Solutions: Businesses increasingly demand hybrid infrastructure solutions, combining colocation with cloud services, along with edge computing capabilities for low-latency applications. This trend reflects the evolving needs of modern businesses seeking flexibility and performance.
Sustainability at the Forefront: Sustainability is a core focus for data center operators in Belgium. They are actively adopting energy-efficient technologies and investing in renewable energy sources to meet ambitious carbon neutrality goals by 2030. This commitment aligns with Belgium's broader environmental objectives.
Major Players in the Belgian Data Center Ecosystem
Belgium's data center market is supported by a diverse ecosystem of global and local players. Key providers include Digital Realty, LCL Data Centers, Datacenter United, AtlasEdge, Proximus and EXA Infrastructure.
These providers operate facilities across Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Wallonia, offering a range of services, including colocation, cloud connectivity, and managed services, catering to diverse client needs.
Microsoft and Google: Powering the Future
Both Microsoft and Google are making significant investments in Belgium, solidifying its position as a key digital infrastructure hub.
Microsoft: Microsoft is investing over €1 billion to build three physically separate Azure data centers, operating as one Belgian hub. These facilities, slated to be operational by autumn 2025, will provide Azure, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform services, ensuring local data residency and supporting sectors with strict compliance requirements.
Google: Google’s presence in Belgium is substantial. Its flagship campus in Saint-Ghislain (Mons area) represents a nearly €3 billion investment. Google is also constructing a second campus in Farciennes (Charleroi area) and has acquired a third site in Ecaussinnes (Feluy industrial zone) for potential future expansion. These facilities incorporate innovative cooling systems and renewable energy sources, reflecting Google's commitment to sustainability.
The Current Data Center Landscape in Belgium
Belgium's data center market is experiencing impressive growth. As of 2025, the country hosts 35 operational data centers. The majority of capacity is concentrated in and around Brussels, due to its proximity to major transport and fiber routes.
Current Capacity: The Belgian data center market is typically measured in megawatts (MW) of IT load capacity. In 2025, the country has an estimated 207 MW of IT load across all operational data centers.
Projected Growth: The market is on track to double its national data center capacity by 2027. This expansion is driven by hyperscale demand, the growing need for AI workloads, and the increasing importance of sovereign cloud requirements.
Comparing Belgium's Position in Europe
While the FLAPD markets remain dominant, Belgium is making significant strides.
FLAPD vs. Belgium: The FLAPD markets combined have about 2,733 MW of operational colocation capacity. Belgium is catching up, with 207 MW of IT load in 2025, and 223 MW under development.
Transatlantic Connectivity: The UK and Ireland benefit from being major landing points for transatlantic submarine cables, offering ultra-low latency to the U.S. and direct connectivity for hyperscalers. Belgium, France, and Germany rely more on terrestrial fiber backbones and regional peering.
Key Takeaways
- Belgium's data center market is experiencing rapid growth, with double-digit expansion rates.
- Brussels remains the primary hub, but regional cities are gaining traction.
- Sustainability and renewable energy adoption are crucial to future growth.
- Global tech giants and local players are investing heavily in infrastructure.
Belgium is well-positioned to become a leading data center destination in Europe. Its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability make it a compelling choice for businesses seeking a reliable and efficient digital infrastructure hub. As the demand for data center capacity continues to surge, Belgium is poised to play an increasingly significant role in the European digital landscape.
